dexamethasone (ophthalmic)
What is the most important information I should know about dexamethasone ophthalmic?
You should not use this medicine if you have a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection in your eye (including herpes infection of the eyes).
What is dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Dexamethasone is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat eye inflammation caused by infections, injury, surgery, or other conditions.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using dexamethasone ophthalmic?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dexamethasone, or if you have:
- a bacterial or fungal infection in your eye; or
- a viral eye infection, including herpes infection of the eyes.
To make sure dexamethasone ophthalmic is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
Using dexamethasone ophthalmic long-term may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Dexamethasone ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before putting in your contact lenses.
Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
Shake the medicine well just before each use.
To apply the eye drops:
- Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.
- Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.
- Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
- Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.
Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.
Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle upright and tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of dexamethasone ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
What should I avoid while using dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.
What are the possible side effects of dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- blurred vision, tunnel vision;
- eye pain; or
- seeing halos around lights.
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect dexamethasone ophthalmic?
It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on dexamethasone used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about dexamethasone ophthalmic.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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