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This medication is used to relieve eye pain, irritation, and redness following cataract eye surgery. Nepafenac belongs to a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by blocking certain natural substances (prostaglandins) in your body that cause pain and swelling.
How to use nepafenac Opht
Apply this medication to the operated eye(s), usually 3 times daily starting 1 day before surgery and continuing on the day of surgery and for 2 weeks after surgery or as directed by your doctor.
To apply eye drops, wash your hands first. Shake the bottle well before each dose. To avoid contamination, do not touch the dropper tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
This medication should not be used while wearing contact lenses. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
Follow your eye surgeon\'s directions for using your eye drops. Tilt your head back, look upward, and gently pull down the lower eyelid to make a pouch. Hold the dropper directly over your eye and place one drop into the pouch. Look downward and gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Try not to blink and do not rub your eye. Repeat these steps for your other eye if so directed.
Do not rinse the dropper. Replace the dropper cap after each use.
If you are using another kind of eye medication (e.g., drops or ointments), wait at least 5 minutes before applying other medications. Use eye drops before eye ointments to allow the eye drops to enter the eye.
This medication is usually used for up to 14 days after eye surgery or as directed by your doctor. Do not start using this medication early, use it more often than prescribed, or continue using it for longer than directed by your doctor. Prolonged use of nepafenac eye drops (more than 2 weeks) may increase the risk of very serious side effects of the eye.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
This medication may temporarily sting or burn your eyes for 1-2 minutes when applied. Eye redness and headache may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: eye swelling, eye discharge/extreme watering.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: vision changes, eye pain.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Before using nepafenac, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin, or to other NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as preservatives like benzalkonium chloride), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: aspirin-sensitive asthma (a history of worsening breathing with runny/stuffy nose after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, previous eye surgery, other eye problems (e.g., dry eye syndrome, corneal problems), diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, nasal polyps.
Your vision may be temporarily unstable after applying this drug. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed during the first 6 months. Avoid use during the last 3 months of pregnancy due to the possible harm to an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anti-platelet medications (e.g., clopidogrel), \"blood thinners\" (e.g., warfarin), corticosteroid drugs (e.g., prednisone), other eye medications (e.g., corticosteroid eye drops).
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) which, if used together with nepafenac, may increase your risk for bleeding. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If overdose or swallowing is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another eye condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.
MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE:
Store in the refrigerator or at room temperature between 36-77 degrees F (2-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
Information last revised August 2010. Copyright(c) 2010 First Databank, Inc.
