prednisolone 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 to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper 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.

Prednisolone 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.

Prednisolone ophthalmic is used to treat eye inflammation caused by infections, injury, surgery, or other conditions.

Prednisolone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not use prednisolone ophthalmic if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in your eye without also receiving proper anti-infective treatment.

Prednisolone ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether prednisolone ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use prednisolone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether prednisolone ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use prednisolone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Use prednisolone ophthalmic eyedrops 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 the eyedrops.

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.

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper 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 prednisolone ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle properly capped.

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.

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, call an emergency room or poison control center near you. If the drops have been ingested, call an emergency center for advice.

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper 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. Prednisolone 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 prednisolone ophthalmic.

Serious side effects are not expected with this medication. Rarely, an increase in the pressure inside of the eye, formation of cataracts, or perforation of the cornea have 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. Continue to use prednisolone ophthalmic and talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience.

Do not use other eyedrops or eye medications during treatment with prednisolone 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 prednisolone ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Your pharmacist has additional information about prednisolone ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.

Prednisolone ophthalmic is available with a prescription under many brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Pred Mild 0.12% suspension
• Pred Forte 1% suspension
• Econopred 0.125% suspension
• Econopred Plus 1% suspension
• AK-Pred 0.125% solution
• AK-Pred 1% solution
• Inflamase Mild 0.125% solution
• Inflamase Forte 1% solution