What is dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Dexamethasone ophthalmic 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.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic is used to treat eye inflammation caused by infections, injury, surgery, or other conditions.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dexamethasone 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 or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening 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.
Who should not use dexamethasone ophthalmic?
Do not use dexamethasone ophthalmic if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in your eye without also receiving proper anti-infective treatment.
Dexamethasone ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use dexamethasone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.