Lotemax and Lotemax SM are brand-name prescription drugs. There are three different forms of Lotemax (See “Drug details” just below.) All forms of the drugs are FDA-approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery.

The eye drop form of Lotemax is also approved for certain eye conditions that involve inflammation of the front of the eye. These include:

All forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are approved for adults. Lotemax gel eye drops are also approved for use in children from birth to 17 years old.

Drug details

Lotemax and Lotemax SM both contain the active ingredient loteprednol. It’s a type of drug called a corticosteroid.

Lotemax is available in the following forms with the same strength of 0.5%:

  • Lotemax ophthalmic suspension (eye drops)
  • Lotemax ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment)
  • Lotemax ophthalmic gel (gel eye drops)

Lotemax SM comes as an ophthalmic gel with a strength of 0.38%. This is a lower strength than Lotemax, but it’s designed so your eyes can absorb the drug better. Lotemax SM contains tiny submicron (SM) particles of loteprednol. This allows it to be absorbed into the eye more effectively compared to Lotemax gel eye drops. (To learn more, see the “How Lotemax and Lotemax SM work” section below.)

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Lotemax and Lotemax SM, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section below.

Lotemax eye drops, and Lotemax gel eye drops are brand-name drugs that contain the active ingredient loteprednol. These forms of Lotemax are also available as generic drugs. These are called loteprednol eye drops and loteprednol gel eye drops.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. Generics also tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Lotemax eye ointment and Lotemax SM gel eye drops are available only as brand-name medications. They’re not currently available as generic versions.

If you’re interested in using the generic version of Lotemax eye drops or Lotemax gel eye drops, talk with your doctor.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM contain the same active ingredient, loteprednol. However, the drugs come in different forms and strengths. And they’re used in different ways.

The form your doctor prescribes may depend on:

  • the condition being treated
  • your age
  • whether you’re allergic to the preservative benzalkonium chloride (a chemical that helps prevent the growth of germs) used in eye drops
  • convenience of dosing
  • risk of side effects

Lotemax eye drops

Lotemax comes as an ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) in a strength of 0.5%. They’re approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery. Unlike other forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM, these eye drops are also approved for other uses.*

Lotemax eye ointment

Lotemax comes as an ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment) in a strength of 0.5%. This form does not contain the preservative benzalkonium chloride. So, it’s the only Lotemax product that’s considered to be preservative-free.

Lotemax gel eye drops

Lotemax comes as an ophthalmic gel (gel eye drops) in a strength of 0.5%. Lotemax gel eye drops contain less preservatives than the Lotemax suspension eye drops. They’re also made with moisturizing ingredients. This may make them less irritating for your eyes.

Also, the gel form of Lotemax ensures the same amount of medication is in every drop. Unlike Lotemax suspension eye drops, you don’t need to shake the bottle before each application. You’ll only invert the bottle and shake it once. This is to make sure there’s enough medication in the applicator tip before you use it.

Lotemax gel eye drops are also the only Lotemax product that’s approved for use in children. The other forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are only approved for use in adults.*

Lotemax SM gel eye drops

Lotemax SM comes as an ophthalmic gel (gel eye drops) in a strength of 0.38%. This is a lower strength than Lotemax, but it’s designed so that your eyes can absorb the drug better.

Lotemax SM contains tiny submicron (SM) particles of loteprednol. This allows it to be absorbed into the eye more effectively compared to Lotemax gel eye drops. This means less drug is needed to produce the same effect, which may reduce the risk of side effects.† It can also be applied less often compared to other forms of Lotemax.‡

* For information on the uses of Lotemax and Lotemax SM, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section below.
† For details about side effects with Lotemax and Lotemax SM, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM side effects” section below.
‡ To learn about how often Lotemax SM is applied, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM dosage” section below.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Lotemax and Lotemax SM.

What’s the Lotemax dosage for dry eye?

Lotemax and Lotemax SM aren’t approved to treat dry eyes. So, there’s no recommended dosage for this use.

There’s a different brand-name drug called Eysuvis that’s approved to treat dry eyes. Eysuvis has the same active ingredient as Lotemax, loteprednol. However, it has a lower strength of loteprednol than Lotemax.

If you’re interested in finding a treatment for dry eyes, talk with your doctor. They can recommend a suitable product for you.

How does Lotemax compare with Alrex and prednisolone?

Lotemax, Lotemax SM, Alrex, and prednisolone are all corticosteroid drugs used to treat eye inflammation. Lotemax, Lotemax SM and Alrex are all brand-name drugs. Prednisolone is the active ingredient in the brand-name drugs Pred Forte, Pred Mild, and Omnipred.

Some of the main differences between these products are described in the table below:

DrugLotemax Lotemax SM Alrex Pred Forte and OmnipredPred Mild
Active ingredient and strengthloteprednol 0.5%loteprednol 0.38%loteprednol 0.2%prednisolone 1%prednisolone 0.12%
Form eye drops, gel eye drops, or eye ointmentgel eye drops eye dropseye dropseye drops
Condition pain and inflammation after eye surgery, and certain other inflammatory eye conditions*pain and inflammation after eye surgeryseasonal allergic conjunctivitis (red, itchy or watery eyes due to hay fever)certain inflammatory eye conditionscertain mild to moderate allergic and inflammatory eye conditions

* Only Lotemax eye drops are approved to treat certain other inflammatory eye conditions. For additional information, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section below.

Do side effects of Lotemax eye drops differ from those of the other forms?

Yes, the side effects* of Lotemax eye drops may differ from those of the other Lotemax forms.†

In clinical trials, more side effects were reported with Lotemax eye drops than with other forms of Lotemax. These include:

If you’re concerned about the risk of side effects with Lotemax eye drops, talk with your doctor.

* For additional information about side effects with Lotemax and Lotemax SM, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM side effects” section below.
† Lotemax comes in different forms. For additional information, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM eye drops and ointment” section above.

Are Lotemax and Lotemax SM steroids?

Yes, Lotemax and Lotemax SM are corticosteroids (drugs that reduce inflammation). They’re often called steroids.

If you have questions about corticosteroids, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

As with all medications, the cost of Lotemax and Lotemax SM can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for Lotemax or Lotemax SM, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Lotemax or Lotemax SM, contact your insurance company.

Financial assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Lotemax or Lotemax SM, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

The Bausch Health Patient Assistance Program may help with Lotemax. For additional information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-862-8727 or visit the program website.

Copay assistance may be possible with Lotemax SM. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the manufacturer’s website. If you have commercial insurance or don’t have insurance, you can also call 866-693-4880. If you’re eligible for Medicare Part D, you can call 866-686-0130.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Lotemax and Lotemax SM may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

Generic version

Lotemax eye drops and Lotemax gel eye drops are available as generic versions. These are called loteprednol eye drops and loteprednol gel eye drops. Lotemax eye ointment and Lotemax SM gel eye drops are not available in as generics.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics are considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

To find out how the cost of Lotemax eye drops or Lotemax gel eye drops compare to their generics, visit GoodRx.com.

If your doctor has prescribed Lotemax eye drops or Lotemax gel eye drops and you’re interested in using their generic versions instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check your insurance plan, as it may only cover one or the other.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Alternatives for pain and inflammation after eye surgery

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery include:

Alternatives for certain eye conditions

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat certain eye conditions that involve inflammation of the front of the eye include:

  • corticosteroids, such as:
    • dexamethasone (Dextenza, Maxidex)
    • difluprednate (Durezol)
    • loteprednol (Alrex)
    • prednisolone (Pred Forte, Pred Mild)
  • NSAIDs, such as:
    • diclofenac
    • ketorolac (Acular, Acuvail)
  • mast cell stabilizers (drugs that help reduce allergic reactions), such as:
    • lodoxamide (Alomide)
  • antihistamines, such as:
    • bepotastine (Bepreve)
    • ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Lotemax and Lotemax SM to treat certain conditions. Lotemax and Lotemax SM may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM for pain and inflammation after eye surgery

The following forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are FDA-approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery:

  • Lotemax eye drops
  • Lotemax eye ointment
  • Lotemax gel eye drops
  • Lotemax SM gel eye drops

Your doctor may recommend eye surgery for various different eye conditions. For example, eye surgery is commonly used to treat cataracts. With cataracts, the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. This causes gradual vision loss. Eye surgery for cataracts involves replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial lens.

After eye surgery, your eye may be inflamed (red and swollen). It may also be painful. Your doctor may prescribe Lotemax or Lotemax SM to reduce the inflammation in your eye. This helps relieve pain. You’ll typically use Lotemax or Lotemax SM for a couple of weeks after your eye surgery.

Effectiveness for pain and inflammation after eye surgery

Lotemax and Lotemax SM are effective treatments for pain and inflammation after eye surgery. Corticosteroids, such as Lotemax and Lotemax SM, are widely prescribed for this use. (Corticosteroids are drugs that reduce inflammation).

For example, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends using topical corticosteroids such as eye drops or ointments after cataract surgery.

To find out how Lotemax and Lotemax SM performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lotemax eye drops, Lotemax eye ointment, Lotemax gel eye drops or Lotemax SM gel eye drops.

Lotemax for certain other eye conditions

Lotemax eye drops are FDA-approved to treat certain eye conditions that involve inflammation of the front of the eye. These include:

With inflammatory eye conditions such as those listed above, you may have certain symptoms. These include eye pain, or red, swollen, itchy, or watery eyes. They may also include increased sensitivity to light or blurry or cloudy vision.

Your doctor may prescribe Lotemax or Lotemax SM to help reduce the inflammation in your eye. These drugs may relieve your symptoms. They may also help prevent complications of inflammation, such as vision loss.

Effectiveness for inflammatory eye conditions

Lotemax eye drops are an effective treatment for inflammatory eye conditions. Corticosteroids, such as Lotemax eye drops, are widely used to treat inflammatory eye conditions.

For example, the National Eye Institute notes corticosteroids are often prescribed for uveitis (a type of inflammation in the eye). And the American Academy of Ophthalmology states that corticosteroids can help relieve symptoms of long-term or severe eye allergies.

To find out how Lotemax eye drops performed in clinical trials, see its prescribing information.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM and children

Lotemax gel eye drops are FDA-approved for use in children from birth to 17 years old. The drug is approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery in children.

No other forms of Lotemax are approved for use in children. Lotemax SM is also not approved for use in children. These drugs haven’t been studied in this age group.

You doctor might sometimes prescribe Lotemax or Lotemax SM with other drugs.

For example, if you’ve had eye surgery,* your doctor may prescribe you eye drops or ointment. These drugs would typically be a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as ketorolac (Acular, Acuvail).

And if you have an inflammatory eye condition that’s caused by an infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotic or antiviral eye drops.

If you have questions about what other drugs you may be prescribed with Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor.

* Lotemax and Lotemax SM are approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery. For additional information on their approved uses, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section just above.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using Lotemax or Lotemax SM. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For additional information about the possible side effects of Lotemax and Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Lotemax or Lotemax SM, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Lotemax and Lotemax SM can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Lotemax and Lotemax SM. Side effects may vary depending on the drug form you use. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view the prescribing information for the form of Lotemax you’re using (Lotemax eye drops, Lotemax eye ointment, Lotemax gel eye drops), or for Lotemax SM gel eye drops.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Lotemax and Lotemax SM aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Lotemax or Lotemax SM. However, it doesn’t seem that allergic reaction was reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Lotemax or Lotemax SM, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Note: To learn more about the clinical trials of these drugs, see the prescribing information for Lotemax eye drops, Lotemax eye ointment, Lotemax gel eye drops or Lotemax SM gel eye drops.

The Lotemax or Lotemax SM dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using Lotemax or Lotemax SM to treat
  • the form of Lotemax or Lotemax SM you use

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Lotemax comes in the following forms with a strength of 0.5%:

  • Lotemax ophthalmic suspension (eye drops)
  • Lotemax ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment)
  • Lotemax ophthalmic gel (gel eye drops)

Lotemax SM comes as ophthalmic gel (gel eye drops) with a strength of 0.38%.

To read more about Lotemax and Lotemax SM forms and strengths, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM eye drops and ointment” section above.

Dosage for pain and inflammation after eye surgery

All forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are approved for treating pain and inflammation after eye surgery. The usual recommended dosages for this use are described in the table below:

Drug and formDoseDose frequency
Lotemax eye dropsone or two drops in the affected eyefour times per day for 2 weeks, starting 24 hours after surgery
Lotemax eye ointmentabout a half-inch ribbon of ointment in the affected eyefour times per day for 2 weeks, starting 24 hours after surgery
Lotemax gel eye dropsone or two drops in the affected eyefour times per day for 2 weeks, starting 24 hours after surgery
Lotemax SM gel eye dropsone drop in the affected eyethree times per day for 2 weeks, starting 24 hours after surgery

Dosage for certain eye conditions

Lotemax eye drops are approved for treating certain eye conditions where there’s inflammation of the front of the eye. (For additional information about these conditions, see “Lotemax for certain other eye conditions” in the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section above.)

The usual recommended dosage for this use is one or two drops in the affected eye four times per day. In the first week of treatment, your doctor may recommend you use the drops more often than this. They may recommend up to 1 drop every hour if needed.

Note: Other forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are not approved for this use.

Children’s dosage

Only Lotemax gel eye drops are approved for use in children from birth to 17 years old. This form of Lotemax is approved for treating pain and inflammation after eye surgery in children.

The usual recommended dosage for this use is one or two drops in the affected eye four times per day for 2 weeks. Your child will start this dosage 24 hours after the surgery.

Note: Other forms of Lotemax and Lotemax SM are not approved for use in children.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.

Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. And do not take extra doses to make up for missed doses. Doing so can raise your risk of side effects. (To learn more about side effects of the drugs, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM side effects” section above.)

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

No, Lotemax and Lotemax SM are typically used as short-term treatments.

If you have question about how long you’ll use Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM are approved to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery. Lotemax eye drops are also approved to treat certain eye conditions involving inflammation of the front of the eye. (For additional information about these uses, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM uses” section above.)

What happens with eye inflammation

Eye inflammation can be caused by many different triggers, including tissue damage, allergies, and infection. These triggers cause certain immune cells to release substances, which lead to the following inflammatory responses:

  • increased blood flow to the eye, which causes swelling, redness, and pain
  • release of histamine (a type of chemical that causes itchiness)

What Lotemax and Lotemax SM do

Lotemax and Lotemax SM belong to a class of drugs called corticosteroids. These are often called steroids.

Steroids work to reduce inflammation. They do this by stopping certain immune cells from releasing the substances that usually cause inflammatory responses. This reduces swelling, redness, pain, and itchiness in your eye.

How long does it take for Lotemax to work?

Lotemax and Lotemax SM start working soon after your first dose. However, it may take a couple of days before your symptoms reduce. If your symptoms don’t decrease or they worsen, see your doctor right away.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM aren’t known to interact with other medications, supplements, or foods. The manufacturer of Lotemax and Lotemax SM didn’t report any drug-drug interactions in clinical trials.* Since Lotemax is a topical drug, it works specifically on your eye and shouldn’t affect other parts of your body. So, it should not interact with other medications.

However, this doesn’t mean interactions are not possible with Lotemax or Lotemax SM.

Before using Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about the clinical trials of these drugs, see the prescribing information for Lotemax eye drops, Lotemax eye ointment, Lotemax gel eye drops, or Lotemax SM gel eye drops.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM aren’t known to interact with alcohol.

If you’re concerned about drinking alcohol while using this medication, talk with your doctor.

You should use Lotemax or Lotemax SM according to the instructions your doctor gives you. Your doctor or pharmacist can show you how to use the form of Lotemax or Lotemax SM you’ve been prescribed.

Lotemax comes as eye drops, eye ointment, and gel eye drops that you’ll put in your affected eye. And Lotemax SM comes as gel eye drops that you’ll also apply to your affected eye. Before applying Lotemax eye drops, you’ll shake the bottle several times. If you’re using Lotemax gel eye drops or Lotemax SM, you’ll invert the bottle and shake it once. This is to make sure there’s enough medication in the applicator tip.

It’s important to wash your hands before putting Lotemax or Lotemax SM in your eye. Make sure the tip of the bottle or tube doesn’t touch anything. This will help keep the medication free from germs that could cause infection. It also helps prevent small particles, such as dust, from getting in, which could irritate your eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, it’s important to follow your doctors’ instructions. They’ll advise whether you can wear your contacts while you’re using Lotemax. Generally, if you have eye inflammation, you should not wear contact lenses. And you should not wear contacts while using Lotemax gel eye drops, Lotemax ointment, or Lotemax SM. Also, you should not wear soft contact lenses while using Lotemax eye drops.

If you need to use other eye drops or ointments with Lotemax or Lotemax SM, be sure to administer them 5 minutes to 15 minutes apart. This is to avoid one product washing out another from your eye. Be sure to use eye gels or ointments last.

If you have questions about how to use Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When to use

Lotemax is typically used four times per day. However, if you’re prescribed Lotemax eye drops, your doctor may recommend you use the drug more often. Lotemax SM is typically used three times per day.*

Try to space your doses evenly to help keep a steady level of the drug in your eye. This helps Lotemax and Lotemax SM work effectively.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

* For additional information about how often you should use these drugs, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM dosage” section above.

Accessible labels and containers

If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

If you have trouble using eye drops, talk with your pharmacist. They may be able to recommend tools that can make it easier to administer eye drops.

It’s not known if Lotemax or Lotemax SM is safe to use during pregnancy. The drugs haven’t been studied in people who are pregnant.

In animal studies, Lotemax and Lotemax SM had harmful effects when given orally to pregnant animals. But keep in mind that animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans. And Lotemax and Lotemax SM are given directly into the eye. The drug isn’t expected to absorb into the rest of your body when given this way.

If you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Lotemax or Lotemax SM.

It’s not known if Lotemax or Lotemax SM is safe to use during pregnancy.

If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re using Lotemax or Lotemax SM.

For additional information about taking Lotemax and Lotemax SM during pregnancy, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM and pregnancy” section above.

It’s not known if Lotemax or Lotemax SM passes into breast milk.

If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your child while using Lotemax or Lotemax SM.

This drug comes with several precautions. Before using Lotemax or Lotemax SM, talk with your doctor about your health history. Lotemax or Lotemax SM may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lotemax or Lotemax SM, or any of their ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lotemax or Lotemax SM. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Eye infection. Lotemax and Lotemax SM can raise your risk of eye infection. If you already have an eye infection, these drugs could worsen it. If you have certain eye infections, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lotemax or Lotemax SM. Examples include fungal eye infection, certain bacterial eye infection, and most viral eye infections, such as herpes simplex eye infection. Talk with your doctor what other drugs are better options for you.
  • Glaucoma. Lotemax and Lotemax SM can increase the pressure in your eye. Long-term use of these drugs can lead to glaucoma. If you use Lotemax or Lotemax SM for 10 days or longer, your doctor will typically check the pressure in your eye. If you already have glaucoma, Lotemax or Lotemax SM could worsen your condition. Talk with your doctor about whether these drugs are right for you.
  • Eye disorders causing thinning of the cornea or sclera. The cornea is the front part of your eye, and the sclera is the white outer coating of your eye. If you have an eye disorder that causes thinning of these structures, Lotemax or Lotemax SM could make this worse. This could lead to a tear in these structures. Talk with your doctor about whether Lotemax or Lotemax SM is right for you.
  • Contact lenses. Generally, you should not wear contact lenses while you’re using Lotemax or Lotemax SM. Talk with your doctor about temporarily wearing glasses instead.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if Lotemax or Lotemax SM is safe to use during pregnancy. For additional information, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s not known if Lotemax or Lotemax SM passes into breast milk. For more information, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For additional information about the potential negative effects of Lotemax and Lotemax SM, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM side effects” section above.

Do not use more Lotemax or Lotemax SM than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to an increased risk of side effects. (For additional information, see the “Lotemax and Lotemax SM side effects” section above.)

What to do in case you take too much Lotemax or Lotemax SM

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Lotemax or Lotemax SM from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to use it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Lotemax and Lotemax SM should be stored at 59° to 77°F (15° to 25°C).

Be sure to keep the lid on the bottle or tube. This will help keep the medication free from germs that could cause infection. It also helps prevent small particles, such as dust, from getting in, which could irritate your eyes. Also, avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to use Lotemax or Lotemax SM and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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