Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

For patients who wear contact lenses:

  • Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids while you are wearing contact lenses (either hard lenses or soft lenses) may increase the chance of infection. Therefore, do not apply this medicine while you are wearing contact lenses. Also, check with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for advice on how long to wait after applying this medicine before inserting your contact lenses. It is possible that you may be directed not to wear contact lenses at all during the entire time of treatment and for a day or two after treatment has been stopped.

For patients using an ophthalmic solution or suspension (eye drop) form of this medicine:

  • If you are using a suspension form of this medicine, always shake the container very well just before applying the eye drops.
  • To use:
    • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to be absorbed by the eye.
    • If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
    • Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
    • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the dropper or the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Always keep the container tightly closed.

For patients using an ointment form of this medicine:

  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately ⅓ inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the irritation.
  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately 1/3 inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the irritation.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using the eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue. Do not wash the tip with water. Always keep the tube tightly closed.

Do not use corticosteroids more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects, especially in children 2 years of age or younger.

Do not use any leftover medicine for future eye problems without first checking with your doctor. This medicine should not be used if certain kinds of infections are present. To do so may make the infection worse and possibly lead to eye damage.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For betamethasone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye every one or two hours, then space the doses further apart as the eye gets better.

For dexamethasone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use the ointment in the eye three or four times a day, then space the doses further apart as the eye gets better.
    • For ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye up to six times a day.
    • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye four to six times a day.

For fluorometholone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use the ointment in the eye one to three times a day.
    • For ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye two to four times a day.

For hydrocortisone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use the ointment in the eye three or four times a day, then space the doses further apart as the eye gets better.

For medrysone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one drop in the eye up to every four hours.

For prednisolone

  • For eye disorders:
    • For ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye up to six times a day.
    • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
      • Adults and children—Use one or two drops in the eye two to four times a day.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

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Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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