Difluprednate ophthalmic

Difluprednate ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a steroid medicine that treats eye pain and swelling caused by surgery.

Difluprednate ophthalmic is also used to treat anterior uveitis, which is inflammation in the front part of the eye.

Difluprednate ophthalmic may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your doctor may prescribe 2 separate bottles of difluprednate ophthalmic, one for each eye. This is to prevent passing infection from one eye to the other. Be sure to label each bottle for the right or left eye, and use the eye drops from that bottle only in that eye.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Do not use while wearing soft contact lenses. Use the medicine at least 10 minutes before putting in your contact lenses.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment.

If you use this medicine for longer than 10 days, you may need frequent vision tests to check the pressure inside your eyes.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

You should not use difluprednate ophthalmic if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection of the eye (including herpes).

You should not use difluprednate if you are allergic to it, or if you have any type of bacterial, fungal, or viral infection of the eye (including herpes).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• glaucoma; or
• cataracts.

It is not known whether difluprednate ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Difluprednate ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• pain behind your eyes, sudden changes in vision;
• slow healing after your eye surgery;
• eye pain, tunnel vision, or seeing halos around lights; or
• signs of a new eye infection, such as swelling, draining, or crusting of your eyes.

Common side effects of difluprednate ophthalmic may include:

• itching or irritation in your eyes;
• blurred vision;
• watery eyes;
• headache;
• feeling like there is something in your eye; or
• increased sensitivity of your eyes to light.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Postoperative Ocular Inflammation:

Instill 1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times per day beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period, followed by 2 times per day for a week and then a taper based on the responseUse: Treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery

Usual Adult Dose for Uveitis:

Instill 1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times per day for 14 days followed by tapering as clinically indicatedUse: Treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Postoperative Ocular Inflammation:

Instill 1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times per day beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first 2 weeks of the postoperative period, followed by 2 times per day for a week and then a taper based on the responseUse: Treatment of inflammation and pain associated with ocular surgery

Usual Pediatric Dose for Uveitis:

Instill 1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye 4 times per day for 14 days followed by tapering as clinically indicatedUse: Treatment of endogenous anterior uveitis

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

difluprednate ophthalmic may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.