Loteprednol Etabonate

Last Reviewed: Sep 17, 2024

Warnings

Loteprednol (Lotemax) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Loteprednol can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for your condition if you are at an increased risk of complications from loteprednol. Some of the risks of loteprednol use include:

GLAUCOMA: Prolonged use of ocular steroids, including loteprednol, can lead to an increase in intraocular pressure (pressure inside the eye). This eye condition is called glaucoma, and it can damage the optic nerve, leading to defects in visual fields and visual acuity. Before using loteprednol, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma. Your doctor may recommend monitoring intraocular pressure if you use loteprednol for more than 10 days.
CATARACTS: The use of ophthalmic corticosteroids can lead to posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Call your doctor if you develop any changes in vision after using loteprednol.
DELAYED HEALING: Steroids can delay healing after ocular surgery and increase the risk of bleb formation. Topical steroids can also cause perforations (holes) in people with diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera. Your doctor will prescribe loteprednol and renew the initial prescription or medication order only after examining your eye.
SECONDARY OCULAR INFECTIONS: Prolonged use of loteprednol and other ophthalmic corticosteroids can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of secondary ocular infections. In addition, topical steroids can enhance existing infections and mask infection symptoms in acute purulent conditions. Do not use Lotemax (loteprednol) for longer than prescribed by your doctor. Call your doctor if you have any new or worsening eye symptoms during loteprednol therapy.
VIRAL INFECTIONS OF THE EYE AND FUNGAL DISEASES: Corticosteroids should be used with great caution in patients with a history of viral diseases such as herpes simplex. Steroids can worsen and prolong many viral infections. They are contraindicated in most viral diseases of the eye, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), varicella, and vaccinia.
Long-term steroid use can lead to the development of fungal infections in the eye. Loteprednol is contraindicated in people with mycobacterial infection and other fungal infections of the eye. Your doctor may obtain fungal cultures if you have persistent corneal ulceration and suspected fungus invasion of the ocular structures.

Precautions Before Starting Loteprednol (Lotemax)

Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to loteprednol, any of the active or inactive ingredients in loteprednol formulations, 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, dietary supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions between loteprednol and your other medicines.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Loteprednol may not be safe for people with certain health conditions, such as current eye infections, glaucoma, and other eye conditions.

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

Precautions During Use of Loteprednol (Lotemax)

Keep all your healthcare appointments while using loteprednol.

Do not wear contact lenses during treatment with loteprednol gel or ointment. Your doctor may permit you to wear contact lenses while using loteprednol eye drops. Remove your contact lenses before applying the eye drop and wait 10-15 minutes before reinserting them. Loteprednol suspension contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride, which is absorbed by soft contact lenses.

You should know that loteprednol can cause delayed healing after ocular surgery. It can also increase the risk of certain cataract surgery complications, put you at risk of developing an eye infection, or worsen an existing infection. Call your doctor immediately if any new or worsening eye pain develops, accompanied by redness, swelling, or itching.

If you are using loteprednol to treat swelling and itching caused by seasonal allergies, tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days.

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

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

Loteprednol (Lotemax) Drug Interactions

Using loteprednol with certain other medicines can affect how the medicines work. Possible drug interactions between medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse events. Your doctor may change the dose of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known interactions between loteprednol 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 healthcare provider 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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