O General Information and Indications:
Dexamethasone reduces the irritation,
redness, burning, and swelling of eye inflammation caused by chemicals,
heat, radiation, infection, allergy, or foreign bodies in the eye. It is
sometimes used after eye surgery.
O Information For Users:
Dexamethasone comes as eyedrops and eye ointment.
Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or
pharmacist If you have any questions. Use dexamethasone exactly as directed.
Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your
doctor.
If you are using the suspension form of dexamethasone eyedrops (Maxidex),
shake the bottle well before each dose. It is not necessary to shake
dexamethasone eyedrop solution (Decadron).
To use the eyedrops, follow these instructions:
o Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
o Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
o If using dexamethasone suspension eyedrops, shake the bottle well for 10
seconds.
o Remove the protective cap. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye
or anything else.
o Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
o Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back
into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
o Lie down or tilt your head back.
o Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper
tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
o Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
o With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye
down to form a pocket.
o Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid
andthe eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
o Close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger
for 2-3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink.
o Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
o Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your
hands again.
To use the eye ointment, follow these instructions:
o Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
o Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
o Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else. The
ointment must be kept clean.
o Tilt your head forward slightly.
o Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as
near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
o Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
o With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye
down to form a pocket.
o Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and
the eye. A 1/2-inch strip of ointment usually is enough unless otherwise
directed by your doctor.
o Gently close your eyes and keep them closed for 1-2 minutes to allow the
medication to be absorbed.
o Replace and tighten the cap right away.
o Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean
tissue. Wash your hands again.
Dexamethasone eye drops may be used to reduce redness, burning, and swelling
or inflammation in the ear. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of
using this medication.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to dexamethasone, sulfites, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, including vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding glaucoma or diabetes.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using dexamethasone, call your
doctor without delay. Talk to your doctor about stopping to breast-feed if
you use dexamethasone eye drops.
o Inform your doctor if you wear soft contact lenses. If the brand of
dexamethasone you are using contains benzalkonium chloride, wait at least 15
minutes after using the medicine to put in soft contact lenses.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of dexamethasone are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o changes in vision, such as blurring and seeing halos around lights
o pressure and pain in the eye
o drooping of the eyelid
O Brand Name(s):
o AK-Dex®
o AK-Neo-Dex®
o AK-Trol®
o Decadron® Phosphate
o Decadron® Phosphate Ocumeter®
o Decadron® Phosphate Turbinaire®
o Dexacidin®
o Dexasporin®
o Maxidex®
o Maxitrol® |
