Adult Dosing
Steroid responsive inflammatory conditions of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe; corneal injury caused by thermal burns, chemicals, radiation, and foreign body penetration
- Instill 1-2 drops into the conjunctival sac(s) qhr during day and q2 hr during the night
- When a favorable response is observed, reduce dose to 1 drop q4 hrs, then 1 drop 3 to 4 times daily may be sufficient
Note:
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
[Outline]
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Prolonged use may result in ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma, with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation; it may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections
- In diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations may occur with the use of topical corticosteroid
- Corticosteroids may mask the signs of infection or enhance existing infection in patients with acute purulent conditions of the eye
- Monitor IOP regularly if it is used for more than 10 days or longer
- Contraindicated in epithelial herpes simplex (dendritic keratitis); if used in the treatment of other herpes simplex infections, it requires great caution; periodic slit-lamp microscopy is essential
- Dexamethasone contains sodium bisulfite, which may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in patients with sulfite sensitivity; it is mostly seen in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic people
- Bacterial keratitis may occur with the use of multiple dose containers of topical dexamethasone products, which may be contaminated by patients having concurrent corneal disease or a disruption of the ocular epithelial surface
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Ocular mycobacterial infections
- Cataract surgery
Supplemental Patient Information
- Advise patients not to touch the tip of the dispensing container to the eye or surrounding areas; serious damage to the eye and subsequent vision loss may result from using contaminated solutions
- Instruct patients that if more than one ophthalmic drug is used, administer the drugs at least 10 minutes apart
- Advise patients wearing soft contact lenses to remove them prior to administration of the drug and to wait at least 15 minutes after instillation
- Inform patients to immediately seek their physician's advise concerning the continued use of the multidose container if they develop an intercurrent ocular condition
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown; topical dexamethasone has not been studied during breastfeeding. Short-term application would pose a risk to the breastfed infant by passage into breastmilk. This information is based upon LactMed database (available at http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT last accessed 18 March 2011). As per manufacturer's data, due to potential adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug analyzing the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Maxidex 0.1 % SUSP [Bottle] (ALCON VISION)
5 % = $61.36
15 % = $168.44
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.
