Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension

Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension is a prescription eye drop containing loteprednol etabonate in the as-labelled strength in each drop. It belongs to the corticosteroid class and is used to help reduce eye inflammation, redness, swelling, and discomfort caused by certain eye conditions. Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension is made as a suspension, so the medicine must be shaken well before each use to help ensure the dose is evenly mixed.

How it works: Loteprednol etabonate works by calming the body’s inflammatory response in the eye, which helps reduce swelling, redness, and irritation. In suspension form, the medicine is dispersed in liquid so the bottle must be shaken well to deliver the steroid evenly with each drop.

Because Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension is the as-labelled strength in a suspension form, it is suitable for patients who need a steroid eye drop that can be dosed directly into the eye with an even, mixed dose. A doctor may choose this form when the goal is to control inflammation while using a loteprednol etabonate eye drop that is designed to be shaken before instillation and used exactly as prescribed.

• Eye inflammation
• Eye redness and swelling
• Post-operative eye inflammation
• Allergic or irritative eye inflammation
• Steroid-responsive eye conditions

• Shake the Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension bottle well before each dose so the medicine is evenly mixed.
• Wash your hands before using the eye drops.
• Tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid, and place the prescribed number of drops into the eye without touching the dropper tip.
• Close your eye gently for 1 to 2 minutes after each drop and avoid blinking hard or rubbing the eye.
• If you use other eye medicines, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes between products unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Replace the cap tightly after use and follow the dosing schedule exactly as prescribed.

Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension provides loteprednol etabonate in the as-labelled strength per eye drop, but the exact dose is determined by your eye doctor based on the condition being treated. It is commonly used several times a day at first and then reduced as symptoms improve, but the maximum daily use should follow the prescription and should not be increased on your own. Because this is a corticosteroid eye suspension, the doctor decides the frequency, duration, and whether the treatment should be tapered.

Do not change your dose or stop the medicine without speaking to your doctor.

Common side effects of Loteprednol Etabonate may include:

• Temporary burning or stinging after putting in the drop
• Blurred vision right after use
• Eye irritation or itching
• Watery eyes
• Mild eye discomfort
• Foreign-body or gritty sensation in the eye

• Do not use Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension if you have a viral, fungal, or untreated bacterial eye infection unless your doctor specifically says to.
• Tell your eye doctor if you have glaucoma, a history of high eye pressure, or cataracts, because steroid eye drops can raise eye pressure with longer use.
• Use extra caution if you wear contact lenses; remove them before use and only put them back in if your doctor says it is safe.
• Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye, fingers, or any surface to avoid contaminating the suspension.
• Do not stop or extend treatment on your own, because steroid eye drops may need a planned taper.
• Blurred vision may happen after dosing, so wait until your vision clears before driving or operating machinery.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using other steroid medicines.

• Other corticosteroid medicines, including steroid eye drops or steroid tablets
• Other eye drops or eye ointments that may need spaced dosing
• Medicines that can affect the immune system and infection risk
• Certain glaucoma medicines, if your doctor is monitoring eye pressure
• Any medicine used after eye surgery or for eye infection, since your doctor may need to adjust the plan

Store Etapred Ophthalmic Suspension at room temperature, keep the bottle tightly closed, and do not freeze it.