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Dexamethasone (ophthalmic route)

Available brands

Dextenza, Maxidex, Ocu-Dex

About this medication

Dexamethasone eye drops are used to treat inflammation of the eyes caused by allergies and certain conditions, including damage caused by chemical and thermal burns. Dexamethasone eye insert is used to treat eye pain and swelling after eye surgery. It is also used to treat itching of the eye caused by a condition known as allergic conjunctivitis. Dexamethasone belongs to the group of medicines known as corticosteroids (steroids or cortisone-like medicines) that is used to relieve the redness, itching, and swelling caused by eye infections and other conditions or procedures (eg, eye surgery). Dextenza®is to be given only by your doctor.Maxidex®is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Before using this medication

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered: Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of dexamethasoneeye insertin the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dexamethasoneeye dropsin children. Safety and efficacy have been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dexamethasone eye drops or eye insert in the elderly. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

How to use this medication

Your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) will give youDextenza® eye insertin a medical facility. It is inserted inside the lower part of your eye.Dextenza® eye insertwill release the medicine for up to 30 days. The insert will be absorbed by the eye and does not require removal. Use Maxidex® only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of too much medicine being absorbed into the body and the chance of side effects. To use the eye drops: If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before putting the drops in your eyes. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Disclaimer: August is a health information platform and its responses don't constitute medical advise. Always consult with a licenced medical professional near you before making any changes.

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