Fluorometholone Drops Prescribing Information

Fluorometholone Drops Description

Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1% is a sterile, topical anti-inflammatory agent for ophthalmic use.

Fluorometholone, USP is practically white crystalline powder. It is practically insoluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol, very slightly soluble in chloroform and practically insoluble in ether.

Chemical name: 9-Fluoro-11ß,17-dihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione.

Structural formula:

Molecular weight: 376.5 g/mol

Molecular formula: C22H29FO4

Each mL of fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension USP, 0.1% contains:

Active: Fluorometholone USP, 0.1% (1 mg).

Preservative: Benzalkonium chloride, 0.004% (0.04 mg).

Inactives: Edetate disodium; polysorbate 80; polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%; water for injection; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic, anhydrous; sodium phosphate, monobasic, monohydrate; and sodium hydroxide to adjust pH.

Fluoromethonolone ophthamic suspension, USP is formulated with a pH from 6.2 to 7.5. It has an osmolality range of 290 mOsm/kg to 350 mOsm/kg.

Fluorometholone Drops - Clinical Pharmacology

Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and probably delay or slow healing. They inhibit the edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, leukocyte migration, capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation associated with inflammation.

There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Corticosteroids are capable of producing a rise in intraocular pressure. In clinical studies of documented steroid-responders, fluorometholone demonstrated a significantly longer average time to produce a rise in intraocular pressure than dexamethasone phosphate; however, in a small percentage of individuals, a significant rise in intraocular pressure occurred within one week. The ultimate magnitude of the rise was equivalent for both drugs.

Related/similar drugs

prednisone, hydroxyzine, fluticasone nasal, montelukast, promethazine, Zyrtec, phenylephrine ophthalmic

Indications and Usage for Fluorometholone Drops

Fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension is indicated for the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive inflammation of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe.

Contraindications

Fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye, and fungal diseases of ocular structures.

Fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension is also contraindicated in individuals with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation and to other corticosteroids.

Warnings

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may increase intraocular pressure in susceptible individuals, resulting in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Prolonged use may also suppress the host immune response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections.

Various ocular diseases and long-term use of topical corticosteroids have been known to cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of topical corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation.

Acute purulent infections of the eye may be masked or activity enhanced by the presence of corticosteroid medication.

If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure should be routinely monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be checked frequently.

The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.

Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution; frequent slit lamp microscopy is recommended.

Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Adverse reactions include, in decreasing order of frequency, elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) with possible development of glaucoma and infrequent optic nerve damage, posterior subcapsular cataract formation, and delayed wound healing.

Although systemic effects are extremely uncommon, there have been rare occurrences of systemic hypercorticoidism after use of topical dermatologic steroids applied to the skin.

Corticosteroid-containing preparations have also been reported to cause acute anterior uveitis and perforation of the globe. Keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, mydriasis, conjunctival hyperemia, loss of accommodation and ptosis have occasionally been reported following local use of corticosteroids.

The development of secondary ocular infection (bacterial, fungal and viral) has occurred. Fungal and viral infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term applications of steroids. The possibility of fungal invasion should be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where steroid treatment has been used (see WARNINGS).

Transient burning and stinging upon instillation and other minor symptoms of ocular irritation have been reported with the use of fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension. Other adverse events reported with the use of fluorometholone include: allergic reactions; foreign body sensation; erythema of eyelid; eyelid edema/eye swelling; eye discharge; eye pain; eye pruritus; lacrimation increased; rash; taste perversion; visual disturbance (blurry vision); and visual field defect.

Fluorometholone Drops Dosage and Administration

Shake well before using. Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac two to four times daily. During the initial 24 to 48 hours, the dosing frequency may be increased to one application every four hours. Care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely.

If signs and symptoms fail to improve after two days, the patient should be re-evaluated (see PRECAUTIONS).

The dosing of fluorometholone ophthalmic suspension may be reduced, but care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely. In chronic conditions, withdrawal of treatment should be carried out by gradually decreasing the frequency of applications.

How is Fluorometholone Drops supplied

Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1% is a sterile, white to off-white homogenous suspension essentially free from foreign particles, filled in 10 mL or 15 mL low density polyethylene white opaque bottles and low density polyethylene white opaque nozzles with high density polyethylene pink caps.

It is available as follows:

5 mL in 10 mL Containers (Filled to 1/2 Capacity): NDC 60219-1585-3

10 mL in 15 mL Containers (Filled to 2/3 Capacity): NDC 60219-1586-6

Storage: Store at 2° to 25°C (36° to 77°F). Protect from freezing. Store in an upright position.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

This product’s labeling may have been updated. For the most recent Prescribing Information, please visit www.amneal.com.

Manufactured by:
Amneal Pharmaceuticals Private Limited
Parenteral Unit
Ahmedabad 382213, INDIA

Distributed by:
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
Bridgewater, NJ 08807

Rev. 01-2024

Version-01

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 60219-1585-3
Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1%
Rx only
5 mL Container Label
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

NDC 60219-1585-3
Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1%
Rx only
5 mL Carton Label
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

NDC 60219-1586-6
Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1%
Rx only
10 mL Container Label
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC

NDC 60219-1586-6
Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Suspension USP, 0.1%
Rx only
10 mL Carton Label
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC