Rimexolone (Ophthalmic)

Rimexolone is part of a group of medicines called corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicines). It is used to treat inflammation in the eye, which can happen after eye surgery or due to specific eye issues.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

An eye doctor should check your eyes regularly while you are using this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking it must be balanced with the benefits it may provide. This is a decision you and your doctor will make together. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Research on this medicine has only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of rimexolone in children to its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way in older adults as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems. There is no specific information comparing the use of rimexolone in the elderly to its use in other age groups.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these situations, your doctor may want to adjust the dose or take other precautions. When taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been chosen based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to prescribe this medication or may change some of the other medicines you take.

• Desmopressin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Aspirin
• Bemiparin
• Bupropion
• Lutetium Lu 177 Dotatate
• Macimorelin
• Nadroparin
• Sargramostim
• Somatrogon-ghla

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both medicines may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Auranofin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Certain eye diseases that cause the cornea to thin—Using ophthalmic rimexolone could cause a hole to form (perforation)

• Fungus infection of the eye or
• Herpes infection of the eye or
• Virus infection of the eye or
• Yeast infection of the eye or
• Any other eye infection—Ophthalmic rimexolone may worsen existing infections or lead to new infections.

Along with its needed effects, Rimexolone (Ophthalmic) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

• Blurred vision or other change in vision
• eye discharge, discomfort, dryness, or tearing
• eye redness, irritation, or pain
• feeling of something in the eye
• itching
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• swelling of the lining of the eyelids

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to rimexolone. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common or rare

• Browache
• change in taste
• crusting in corner of eye
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
• headache
• increased sensitivity of eyes to light
• sticky sensation of eyelids
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Vexol

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenal Glucocorticoid

Shake the container very well before applying the eye drops.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt your 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.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine 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 this medicine. 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 ophthalmic dosage form (eye drops): For inflammation after surgery: Adults—Use one or two drops in the affected eye four times a day beginning twenty-four hours after surgery and continuing throughout the first two weeks after surgery. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For anterior uveitis (inflammation in the iris of the eye): Adults—Use one or two drops in the affected eye every hour, while awake, for the first week. Then use one drop in the affected eye every two hours, while awake, for the second week. Then gradually decrease the number of times the medicine is used each day according to your physician's instructions. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take 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. Do not double doses.

Storage

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

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.