Prednisolone ophthalmic (patient information)

Why is this medication prescribed

Prednisolone reduces the irritation, redness, burning, and swelling of eye inflammation caused by chemicals, heat, radiation, infection, allergy, or foreign bodies in the eye. It sometimes is used after eye surgery.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used

Prednisolone comes as eyedrops and eye ointment. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use prednisolone exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you are using the suspension form of prednisolone eyedrops (Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Econopred, Econopred Plus), shake the bottle well before each dose. It is not necessary to shake prednisolone eyedrop solution (AK-Pred, Inflamase Mild, Inflamase Forte).

Continue to use prednisolone even if you feel well. Do not stop using prednisolone without talking to your doctor.

To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
• If using prednisolone suspension eyedrops, shake the bottle well for 10 seconds.
• Remove the protective cap. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
• Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else.
• Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
• Lie down or tilt your head back.
• Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
• Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
• With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
• Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
• Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
• Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
• Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

To use the eye ointment, follow these instructions:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
• Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else. The ointment must be kept clean.
• Tilt your head forward slightly.
• Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
• Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
• With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
• Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. A 1/2-inch strip of ointment usually is enough unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Gently close your eyes and keep them closed for 1-2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
• Replace and tighten the cap right away.
• Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

What special precautions should I follow

Before using prednisolone eyedrops or eye ointment:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to prednisolone or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma or diabetes.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using prednisolone, call your doctor immediately.

What should I do if I forget a dose

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. Use any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time the next one is due, use only the regularly scheduled dose. Do not apply a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Mild side effects

Prednisolone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• temporary eye burning or stinging
• temporary blurred vision

Severe side effects

If you experience the following symptom, call your doctor immediately:

• eye pain

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

What other information should I know

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

If you still have symptoms of eye irritation after you finish the prednisolone, call your doctor.

Brand names

• AK-Pred®
• Blephamide®
• Blephamide® Liquifilm®
• Econopred® Plus
• Inflamase® Forte
• Inflamase® Mild
• Poly-Pred® Liquifilm®
• Pred Forte®
• Pred Mild®
• Pred-G®
• Pred-G® Liquifilm®

Brand names of combination products

• Vcontaining Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate and Sulfacetamide Sodium