Contains sodium sulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

There is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other NSAIDs. Therefore, caution should be used when treating individuals who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs.

With some NSAIDs, there exists the potential for increased bleeding time due to interference with platelet aggregation. There have been reports that ocularly applied NSAIDs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery.

General

All topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may slow or delay healing. Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing. Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.

Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis. In some susceptible patients, continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration or corneal perforation. These events may be sight threatening. Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs and should be closely monitored for corneal health.

Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients with complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface diseases (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events which may become sight threatening. Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients.

Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs also suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days post surgery may increase patient risk for the occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.

It is recommended that XIBROM (bromfenac ophthalmic solution ) ophthalmic solution be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

Long-term carcinogenicity studies in rats and mice given oral doses of bromfenac up to 0.6 mg/kg/day (360 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose [RHOD] of 1.67 μg/kg in 60 kg person on a mg/kg/basis, assuming 100% absorbed) and 5.0 mg/kg/day (3000 times RHOD), respectively revealed no significant increases in tumor incidence.

Bromfenac did not show mutagenic potential in various mutagenicity studies, including the reverse mutation, chromosomal aberration, and micronucleus tests.

Bromfenac did not impair fertility when administered orally to male and female rats at doses up to 0.9 mg/kg/day and 0.3 mg/kg/day, respectively (540 and 180 times RHOD, respectively).

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category C

Reproduction studies performed in rats at oral doses up to 0.9 mg/kg/day (540 times RHOD) and in rabbits at oral doses up to 7.5 mg/kg/day (4500 times RHOD) revealed no evidence of teratogenicity due to bromfenac. However, 0.9mg/kg/day in rats caused embryo-fetal lethality, increased neonatal mortality, and reduced postnatal growth. Pregnant rabbits treated with 7.5 mg/kg/day caused increased post-implantation loss.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Non-Teratogenic Effects

Because of the known effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis-inhibiting drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), the use of XIBROM (bromfenac ophthalmic solution ) ophthalmic solution during late pregnancy should be avoided.

Nursing Mothers

Caution should be exercised when XIBROM (bromfenac ophthalmic solution ) ophthalmic solution is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 18 have not been established.

Geriatric Use

There is no evidence that the efficacy or safety profiles for XIBROM (bromfenac ophthalmic solution ) differ in patients 65 years of age and older compared to younger adult patients.

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/23/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.