durezol

Durezol eye drops contains difluprednate, a steroid medicine. This medicine prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Durezol ophthalmic (for the eye) is used to treat eye pain and inflammation caused by surgery.

Durezol is also used to treat anterior uveitis, inflammation that affects the front part of the eye.

Durezol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not use Durezol if you are allergic to difluprednate, or if you have untreated glaucoma, any type of eye infection (including herpes), or an untreated infection in your eyes or elsewhere (including chickenpox).

Before using Durezol, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or cataracts.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper to touch any surface, including your eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. Do not use Durezol while you are wearing regular contact lenses. Wait at least 10 minutes after using Durezol before putting in the lenses. Do not wear any contact lens that has not been approved by your doctor. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment. Do not stop using Durezol without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly. Call your doctor at once if you have sudden eye irritation or pain, severe eye redness or itching, pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes, severe headache, slow healing after your eye surgery, signs of new eye infection (swelling, draining, crusting), tunnel vision, seeing halos around lights, or changes in the color or appearance of your iris (the colored part of your eye).

Before using Durezol

You should not use Durezol if you are allergic to difluprednate, or if you have:

• untreated glaucoma;

• any type of eye infection, including herpes; or

• an untreated infection in your eye or elsewhere, including chickenpox.

To make sure you can safely use Durezol, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

• glaucoma; or

• cataracts.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Durezol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. It is not known whether difluprednate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I use Durezol?

Use Durezol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not use this medication while wearing regular contact lenses. Durezol may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 10 minutes after using Durezol before putting in your contact lenses.

Durezol is usually given 4 times per day for 2 weeks. After the first 2 weeks, your dose may be decreased to 2 times per day for 1 week or longer. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

Your doctor may prescribe two separate bottles of Durezol, one to use in each eye. This is to keep from passing infection from one eye to the other. Be sure to mark each bottle for the right or left eye, and use the eye drops from that bottle only in that eye. Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.

• Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.

• Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

• If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop.

• Also wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops that your doctor has prescribed.

Do not allow the tip of the dropper to touch any surface, including your eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 2 days of treatment with Durezol.

Do not stop using Durezol without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

To be sure Durezol is not causing harmful effects, your eyes may need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store the Durezol bottle in the protective carton at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

Do not wear any contact lens that has not been approved by your doctor.

Do not use other eye medications during treatment with Durezol unless your doctor tells you to.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.

Durezol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Durezol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes, severe headache;

• sudden eye redness, itching, or other irritation;

• slow healing after your eye surgery;

• signs of new eye infection, such as swelling, draining, or crusting of your eyes;

• eye pain, tunnel vision, or seeing halos around lights; or

• changes in the color or appearance of your iris (the colored part of your eye).

Less serious Durezol side effects may include:

• mild headache;

• blurred vision;

• mild burning, stinging, or itching of your eyes;

• dry or watery eyes;

• feeling like something is in your eye; or

• increased sensitivity of your eyes to light.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Durezol?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on difluprednate used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.