Prednisolone Ophthalmic Description

Generic Name : PREDNISOLONE OPHTHALMIC

Pronunciation : (pred niss' oh lone)

Trade Name(s) : Acticort, Depo-medrol, Hostacortin H, Metypred, Omnacortil, Prednisafe, Solo-medrol, Succimedrol, Unidrol, Wysolone,

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

When it is to be taken: Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand.

How it should be taken: Prednisolone comes in the form of eyedrops and eye ointment. Often, eyedrops are used during the day, but ointment is used at night because it stays in contact with the eye longer. Your prescription label tells you how many drops or how much ointment to use at each dose.
If you are to use the eyedrops, follow these steps:
(1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(2) Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
(3) Shake the bottle well for 10 seconds. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
(4) Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or against anything else.
(5) Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
(6) Lie down or tilt your head back.
(7) Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
(8) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
(9) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
(10) 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.
(11) Close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
(12) Replace and tighten the bottle cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
(13) Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
If you are to use the ointment, follow these instructions:
(1) Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
(2) Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
(3) Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or against anything else-the ointment must be kept clean.
(4) Lie down or tilt your head back.
(5) Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
(6) Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
(7) With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
(8) Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye.
(9) Blink your eye gently.
(10) Replace and tighten the tube cap right away.
(11) Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep the tip of the dropper or ointment tube from touching your affected eye or eyelid, your hands, and any other possible sources of contamination.
2. Follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor. Do not use this medication more or less often or for a longer period than as instructed.
3. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor; your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually. Contact your doctor if your eye does not improve within several days or if it gets worse. You may need a different drug.
4. Keep all appointments with your doctor so that your response to this medication can be evaluated.
5. If you forge to apply a dose, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it and apply any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to apply the next one, do not apply a double dose; apply only the scheduled treatment. Then follow your regular medication schedule.

Side Effects :
1. Temporary eye burning or stinging, temporary blurred vision. Contact your doctor if these effects persist.
2. Pressure and pain in the eye. Contact your doctor at once.

Other Precautions :
1. Before using prednisolone ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or diabetes or if you are pregnant, wish to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
2. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Throw away any unused part of your prescription.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.