Lotemax Drops is used for:
Treating swelling, itching, redness, or irritation of the eye caused by bacterial or viral infections, surgery, or certain allergies.
Loteprednol is an ophthalmic corticosteroid. It decreases inflammation (eg, redness, swelling, warmth, pain) of the eye.
Do NOT use Lotemax Drops if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lotemax Drops
• you have a bacterial, viral, or mycobacterial infection of the eye
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Lotemax Drops:
Some medical conditions may interact with Lotemax Drops. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you wear soft contact lenses
• if you have cataract surgery, diabetes, eye discharge, thinning of the cornea or sclera, or glaucoma
• if you have a history of herpes simplex of the eye
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lotemax Drops. However, no specific interactions with Lotemax Drops are known at this time.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lotemax Drops may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Lotemax Drops:
Use Lotemax Drops as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• Lotemax Drops is only for the eye. Do not get it in your nose or mouth.
• Shake well before each use.
• To use Lotemax Drops in the eye, first, wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close your eyes. Immediately use your finger to apply pressure to the inside corner of the eyelid for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not blink. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean, dry tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
• If you miss a dose of Lotemax Drops, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lotemax Drops.
Important safety information:
• Lotemax Drops may cause blurred vision. Use Lotemax Drops with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Soft contact lenses may absorb a chemical in Lotemax Drops; do not wear soft contact lenses while you use Lotemax Drops.
• If Lotemax Drops is used for more than 10 days, your eyes will need to be re-evaluated by your eye care provider.
• If your symptoms do not get better within 2 days or if they get worse, check with your eye doctor.
• Lotemax Drops should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Lotemax Drops can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lotemax Drops while you are pregnant. It is not known if Lotemax Drops is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Lotemax Drops, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Lotemax Drops:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; discharge; dry eyes; eye redness; eye/eyelid swelling; foreign body sensation; headache; increased tearing; itching; runny nose; sensitivity to light; sore throat; stinging when placed in the eye.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; continued or worsening itching; delayed healing after surgery; eye pain; severe redness or swelling.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.