Dexamethasone ophthalmic is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids. It inhibits processes in
the body that cause inflammation. Therefore, the swelling and pain of inflammatory conditions is
decreased.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic is used to treat eye inflammation caused by infections, injury,
surgery, or other conditions.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Do not use dexamethasone ophthalmic if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in
your eye without also receiving proper anti-infective treatment.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use
dexamethasone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Use dexamethasone ophthalmic eyedrops or ointment exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before using your eyedrops or ointment.
To apply the eyedrops:
Shake the bottle gently to be sure the medicine is well mixed. Tilt
your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye.
Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out the prescribed number of drops and close your
eye. Apply gentle pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to
prevent the liquid from draining down your tear duct. If you are using drops in both eyes, repeat
the process in the other eye.
To apply the ointment:
Hold the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that
the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down gently on your lower
eyelid. Apply a thin film of the ointment into your lower eyelid. Close your eye and roll your
eyeball around in all directions for 1 to 2 minutes. If you are applying another eye medication,
allow at least 10 minutes before your next application.
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your
eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an
infection in your eye.
Do not use any eyedrop that is discolored or has particles in it.
Store dexamethasone ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep
the bottle or tube properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose of dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed.
Do not
use a double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Your pharmacist has information about dexamethasone (ophthalmic) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Serious side effects are not expected with this medication. Rarely, an increase in the pressure
inside of the eye, formation of cataracts, or a perforation of the cornea has been reported. Talk to your
doctor about any possible side effects.
More commonly, some burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, blurred vision, or sensitivity
to light may occur.
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 is the most important information I should know about dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Do not stop using this medication suddenly if you have been using it for several weeks or
more. Before stopping, you may need to reduce the dose over several days to prevent side effects.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms begin to get worse or if you do not see any improvement
in your condition after a few days.
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) after each drop to prevent
the fluid from draining down your tear ducts.
What should I avoid while taking dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, avoid these
activities.
If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor if you should wear them during treatment with
dexamethasone ophthalmic.
What other drugs will affect dexamethasone (ophthalmic)?
Do not use other eyedrops or eye medications during treatment with dexamethasone
ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking an oral steroid medication such as
prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), hydrocortisone (Cortef,
Hydrocortone), and others.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dexamethasone ophthalmic. Talk to
your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What happens if I have an overdose of 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.
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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
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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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009