DIFLUPREDNATE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Durezol

GENERIC NAME(S): DIFLUPREDNATE

Description: Difluprednate is an ophthalmic corticosteroid that decreases redness, pain, swelling and warmth of the eye. It does so by releasing lipocortins, which mediates inflammation.

Uses

Indications:

This medication is used to treat swelling and pain after eye surgery. It may also be used to treat a certain serious eye problem (endogenous anterior uveitis).

Contraindications:

Should not be given to patients with viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva.

How to use difluprednate ophthalmic:

Dosage: Instill one drop 4 times daily, beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first two weeks.

To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before using eye drops. Wait at least 15 minutes before replacing your contact lenses.
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 or if your dose is for more than 1 drop.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use

If you are using another kind of eye medication (for example, drops or ointments), wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the drops to enter the eye.

Warnings

Not available.

Side Effects

Common side effects:

Temporary blurred vision

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

new or increased eye pain/swelling/discharge/redness,
eye pain/discomfort in bright light,
vision changes.

Precautions

Precautions:

Allergy: Before using difluprednate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: current or past eye infection (including viral infections such as herpes simplex keratitis), cataracts, glaucoma.
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 are sure you can perform such activities safely.
IOP increase: Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure should be monitored
Cataracts: Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation.
Delayed Healing: The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids.

Pregnancy Risk: Category C. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Breastfeeding: It is unknown if difluprednate passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions:

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose:

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as intraocular pressure) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Brands:

There are no brands containing this molecule.