Lotemax SM Side Effects Center

What Is Lotemax SM?

Lotemax SM (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel) is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following eye (ocular) surgery.

What Are Side Effects of Lotemax SM?

Common side effects of Lotemax SM include:

• elevated eye (intraocular) pressure that may be associated with infrequent optic nerve damage,
• decreased sharpness of vision and reduced visual field,
• cataracts,
• delayed wound healing,
• secondary eye infection, and
• perforation of the globe where there is thinning of the cornea or sclera

Lotemax SM may cause serious side effects including:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• pain when using the eye drops,
• worsening redness or itching,
• eye pain or swelling,
• trouble closing your eye,
• pain behind your eyes,
• sudden vision changes,
• tunnel vision,
• seeing halos around lights, and
• redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage from the eye

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Lotemax SM

The dose of Lotemax SM is one drop applied into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye three times daily beginning the day after surgery and continuing throughout the first 2 weeks of the post-operative period.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Lotemax SM?

Lotemax SM may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Lotemax SM During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Lotemax SM; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. It is unknown if Lotemax SM passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Lotemax SM (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel) 0.38%, for Topical Ophthalmic Use Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• pain when using the eye drops;
• worsening redness or itching;
• eye pain or swelling, trouble closing your eye;
• pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes;
• tunnel vision, seeing halos around lights; or
• signs of eye infection--redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage.

Common side effects may include:

• minor burning when using the eye drops;
• eye pain, blurred vision;
• dry or watery eyes;
• feeling like something is in your eye;
• your eyes may be more sensitive to light;
• headache; or
• runny nose, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.