Indications
Lotemax (active ingredient: loteprednol etabonate) is a prescription medication indicated for the following:
- Ocular Inflammation and Pain: Lotemax is used for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery.
- Inflammatory Conditions: It is indicated for the treatment of steroid-responsive inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the globe, such as allergic conjunctivitis and anterior uveitis.
Lotemax belongs to a class of drugs known as corticosteroids, which work by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune response in the affected ocular tissues.
Uses and Dosage
Lotemax comes in the form of Eye Drops to apply eye drops, wash your hands first. Shake the bottle well before using it. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface. Tilt your head back, look upward, and pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch.
- Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place 1 drop into the pouch.
- Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Place one finger at the corner of your eye (near the nose) and apply gentle pressure. This will prevent the medication from draining out. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye.
- Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed and if your dose is for more than 1 drop.
Side Effects
Serious Side Effects of Lotemax (Loteprednol):
- Cataract
- Eye inflammation
- Eye injury
- Eye redness
- Feeling like there's something in your eye
- Headache
- High eye pressure
- Infection
- Runny nose
- Slower healing
- Throat irritation or inflammation
- Worse vision
Form and Strength
Lotemax (Loteprednol) is available in the following forms and strengths:
Lopressor: Eye Drops
- 0.5%
Metoprolol Tartrate: Eye Drops
- 0.5%
Caution
- If you currently have any kind of eye infection, avoid using LOTEMAX. It contains certain active ingredients that can potentially exacerbate the infection if present in the eye. You wait until the infection resolves before starting treatment with LOTEMAX.
- Before using lotemax, take precautions to prevent contamination. This includes avoiding contact between the dropper tip and your eyes.
- To summarize, to ensure the safe and effective use of LOTEMAX Ointment, avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye or surrounding areas, keep the tube capped when not in use, and wash your hands prior to administering the medication.
- The prolonged use of corticosteroids for bacterial infections can suppress the body's immune response, putting individuals at risk of developing secondary ocular infections. When used in acute purulent conditions (i.e., those involving pus), corticosteroids may either mask the presence of an infection or make an existing infection worse.
- After you apply this drug, your vision may become temporarily blurred. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you can do it safely.
- Before using LOTEMAX, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of eye infections, cataracts, glaucoma (open-angle type), severe nearsightedness (myopia), and diabetes is accurate advice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is a generic version of Lotemax available?
Yes, there is a generic version of Lotemax available, which contains the same active ingredient as Lotemax (loteprednol etabonate) but may be available at a lower cost.
How do you use Lotemax?
Shake the bottle once before instilling one or two drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye four times per day or as directed by your healthcare provider.
Can I use Loteprednol if I am allergic to steroids?
Discuss any allergies you have with your healthcare provider before using Loteprednol or any other medication.
How long can I use Loteprednol?
The duration of treatment with Loteprednol will depend on the specific condition being treated and the advice of your healthcare provider. In some cases, it may be used for only a few days, while in others it may be used for several weeks or longer.
Resources
- https://www.bausch.com/products/rx-pharmaceuticals/post-ocular-surgery/
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7319-835/lotemax-ophthalmic-eye/loteprednol-0-5-suspension-ophthalmic/details
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=902a3c6b-2625-44ec-a077-926e012b3176
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/202872lbl.pdf
- https://www.goodrx.com/loteprednol/what-is
- https://www.drugs.com/lotemax.html
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