Difluprednate Ophthalmic

Conditions Treated

Difluprednate ophthalmic is used to treat eye swelling and pain after eye surgery. Difluprednate ophthalmic is in a class of medications called corticosteroids. It works by stopping the release of certain natural substances that cause swelling and pain.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• blurred vision
• decrease in vision
• seeing a glare from lights or sun

Difluprednate eye drops may increase the risk of developing glaucoma when used for a longer period of time. If you use difluprednate eye drops for 10 days or longer, your doctor will probably monitor the pressure in your eyes. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication.Difluprednate eye drops may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.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/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Difluprednate ophthalmic comes as an emulsion (liquid) to apply to the eye. It is usually applied to the affected eye(s) 4 times a day beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing for 2 weeks, and then 2 times a day for 1 week. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually depending on your condition and how you respond to treatment. Use difluprednate eye drops at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use difluprednate ophthalmic exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. When you use difluprednate eye drops, be careful not to let the tip of the bottle touch your eyes, fingers, face, or any surface. If the tip does touch another surface, bacteria may get into the eye drops. Using eye drops that are contaminated with bacteria may cause serious damage to the eye or loss of vision. If you think your eye drops have become contaminated, call your doctor or pharmacist. To use the eye drops, follow these steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.

Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eyedrops and dropper must be kept clean.

While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.

Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.

Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.

While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.

Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.

Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.

Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.

If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.

Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.

Wash your hands to remove any medication.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using difluprednate eye drops, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to difluprednate, other steroid medications, or any other medications, or any of the ingredients in difluprednate eye drops. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. if you are using another eyedrop medication, use the eye medications at least 10 minutes apart. tell your doctor if you currently have an any type of eye infection. Your doctor will probably tell you not to use difluprednate eye drops. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma (condition in which increased pressure in the eye can lead to gradual loss of vision) or herpes simplex virus (a virus that causes sores to form on the face, lips, genitals, and rectum and can also cause eye infections.) tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. Your doctor may tell you that you should not wear contact lenses during your treatment with difluprednate eye drops. you should know that difluprednate eye drops may slow healing after surgery, increase the risk of certain complications after cataract surgery, and increase your chances of getting an eye infection or worsen an infection that you already have. Call your doctor right away if your pain and swelling do not improve or if you have any of the following symptoms: eye redness, itching, tearing, or discharge; feeling that something is in your eye; seeing floating spots; sensitivity to light; or red, swollen, or crusty eyelids.