Loteprednol Etabonate
About Loteprednol Etabonate
Loteprednol Etabonate belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids primarily used to treat post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Pain is an unpleasant sensation and emotional experience that is associated with tissue damage. Inflammation is the immune system's natural response to injury or infection. Loteprednol Etabonate is prescribed to treat redness and swelling (inflammation) of the eye.
Loteprednol Etabonate contains Loteprednol etabonate. It is a corticosteroid that works by blocking prostaglandins (a chemical messenger) in the brain that cause inflammation and swelling. Thereby, Loteprednol Etabonate helps treat inflammation and pain.
Loteprednol Etabonate is for ophthalmic use only. You are advised to use Loteprednol Etabonate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. In some cases, Loteprednol Etabonate may cause watery eyes, irritation, itching, and foreign body sensation in the eye. Most of these side effects of Loteprednol Etabonate are temporary, do not require medical attention, and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not take Loteprednol Etabonate if you are allergic to corticosteroids or any ingredient of Loteprednol Etabonate. Also, do not use more than the prescribed dose of Loteprednol Etabonate as it may cause glaucoma, fungal infections, and cataracts. Do not take any other eye medication with Loteprednol Etabonate, without consulting your doctor. If you have/had glaucoma (increased eye pressure), herpes simplex infection, any other eye problem, are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Loteprednol Etabonate unless prescribed by your doctor.
Uses of Loteprednol Etabonate
Medicinal Benefits
Loteprednol Etabonate contains Loteprednol etabonate. Loteprednol Etabonate is prescribed to treat eye inflammation and pain after eye surgery. It is a corticosteroid that works by blocking prostaglandins (a chemical messenger) in the brain that cause inflammation and swelling. As a result, inflammation and pain are reduced after using Loteprednol Etabonate.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Loteprednol Etabonate
- Watery eyes
- Irritation in the eyes
- Eye itching
- Foreign body sensation
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to corticosteroids or any of the ingredients of Loteprednol Etabonate. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Loteprednol Etabonate as it may cause glaucoma, vision problems, fungal infection or cataract. If you have or ever had glaucoma (increased eye pressure), herpes simplex infection, any other eye problem, are pregnant, do not take Loteprednol Etabonate unless prescribed by your doctor. Avoid using Loteprednol Etabonate if you are breastfeeding. Loteprednol Etabonate may cause temporary blurred vision, so drive only if your vision is clear.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Loteprednol Etabonate may interact with other ophthalmic medications (bromfenac ophthalmic, diclofenac ophthalmic, flurbiprofen ophthalmic, bimatoprost, latanoprost), HIV medicines (ritonavir, cobicistat), antibiotic medication (clarithromycin), and vaccine (smallpox vaccine).
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had ocular infections and ocular toxicities (cataracts, glaucoma/intraocular hypertension).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown if alcohol affects Loteprednol Etabonate. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor as there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefit outweighs the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Loteprednol Etabonate if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
cautionLoteprednol Etabonate can cause temporary blurry vision. So, do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Loteprednol Etabonate in patients with liver problems.
Kidney
safe if prescribedPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding the usage of Loteprednol Etabonate in patients with kidney problems.
Children
cautionSafety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Visit an optician regularly to monitor your eye condition.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid containing food and drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
- Fruits and vegetables containing Vitamin A and C, help improve vision and recovery from the surgery.
Special Advise
- To avoid any contamination, avoid touching the tip of the dropper.
- If Loteprednol Etabonate is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure (IOP) should be monitored.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: It is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling actual or potential tissue damage. It allows the body to react and prevent further tissue damage. Pain can be short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic). Perception of pain can differ from person to person and it could be tolerable to non-tolerable.
Inflammation: It occurs due to the body's immune response against the antigen. It can be due to external injuries, effects of radiation, chemicals, or pathogens (bacteria, viruses).
FAQs
Loteprednol Etabonate works by blocking prostaglandins (a chemical messenger) in the brain that cause inflammation and swelling. As a result, Loteprednol Etabonate reduces inflammation and pain.
Loteprednol Etabonate should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. If you take more than the recommended dose, it might cause unwanted side effects like increased eye pressure, fungal infection, optic nerve damage, vision problems or cataracts. If you think your symptoms are not improving, please consult your doctor.
Do not stop taking Loteprednol Etabonate without talking to your doctor. Continue using Loteprednol Etabonate for as long as it has been advised by the doctor to treat your condition effectively. If you experience any difficulty while using Loteprednol Etabonate, consult your doctor.
Avoid wearing contact lenses while using Loteprednol Etabonate. if you are wearing contact lens, remove them and wear them 15minutes after the installation of the drops. However, wearing contact lens is not recommended post-cataract surgery. Your doctor may advise you to wear glasses as it helps the eyes to recover from the operative procedure.
Loteprednol Etabonate should be used with other eye medications only if prescribed by the doctor. If you are using any other eye medications, inform your doctor as anti-glaucoma agents may increase the effects of Loteprednol Etabonate.
