Fluorometholone

Last Reviewed: Sep 12, 2024

Warnings

Fluorometholone (FML) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension and ointment can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor about other treatment options if you are at increased risk of complications from this medication. Some of the risks of fluorometholone use include:

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LONG-TERM USE: Prolonged use of fluorometholone can result in increased intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye) in certain high-risk individuals. This can lead to damage to the optic nerve and the development of an eye condition called glaucoma. It can result in decreased visual acuity and fields of vision as well as cataract formation. If you use fluorometholone for more than 10 days, your doctor will monitor your intraocular pressure routinely. This medication may not be safe for people with a diagnosis of glaucoma.
In addition, prolonged use of corticosteroids can suppress the body’s immune response and increase the risk of secondary ocular infections (bacterial, fungal, and viral infections) as well as corneal and scleral thinning.
There are reports of acute anterior uveitis and perforation of the globe after use of corticosteroid-containing medications. Other complications of local steroid use include the potential risk of keratitis, conjunctivitis, loss of accommodation, corneal ulcers, conjunctival hyperemia, mydriasis, and ptosis. Ocular steroids can prolong or worsen many viral diseases including herpes simplex. If you have a history of herpes simplex, your doctor will likely perform frequent eye examinations (slit lamp microscopy).
Steroid use after cataract surgery can slow healing and increase the risk of bleb formation.
Also, corticosteroid eye drops can suppress growth in children.
CONTAMINATION: Use of eye drops or ointments that come in multiple-dose containers carry the risk of contamination. Follow hygiene precautions carefully when using fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension or ointment to lower your risk of contamination and infections. Do not wash or wipe the dropper. Do not touch the tip of the dropper or ointment tube to any surface, including your finger and eye.

Precautions Before Starting Fluorometholone (FML)

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to fluorometholone, any of the active or inactive ingredients in fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension or ointment, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, nonprescription medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between fluorometholone and your other medicines.

Tell your doctor about your medical history. Fluorometholone may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions such as recent cataract surgery, certain eye diseases that cause corneal or scleral thinning, fungal eye infections, viral eye infections such as epithelial herpes simplex keratitis, or glaucoma.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, are planning a pregnancy soon, or are breast-feeding.

Precautions During Use of Fluorometholone (FML)

Keep all your medical and laboratory appointments while using fluorometholone. Your healthcare provider will want to make sure the medicine is working properly and is not causing adverse reactions. They will want to monitor intraocular pressure if you are using this medicine for longer than 10 days (this can be challenging in children and uncooperative patients).

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of using fluorometholone.

Tell your doctor if you have an eye injury or develop an eye infection while using fluorometholone. Check with your doctor before using this medicine if you have had eye surgery.

To prevent contamination, avoid touching the dropper tip or ointment tube tip to any surface.

If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before using fluorometholone and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.

Tell your healthcare professional if you become pregnant while on fluorometholone.

Let your doctors know that you are using fluorometholone before any surgery, including dental procedures.

Fluorometholone (FML) Drug Interactions

Using fluorometholone with certain other medicines can affect how the medicines work. Possible drug interactions between fluorometholone and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications, switch you to a different medication, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between fluorometholone and your other medicines.

Give your doctor or pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your health care professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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