Dexamethasone Sodium, Ophthalmic

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: corticosteroid

Generic and brand names: dexamethasone sodium phosphate, ophthalmic; AK-Dex Ophthalmic; Decadron Phosphate; Maxidex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used in the eyes to treat inflammation. This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

It comes as eyedrops or an ointment.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have any kind of bacterial, virus, or fungal infection in your eye.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Use this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not use it more often or longer than prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other conditions unless your health care provider approves.

Wash your hands thoroughly before putting medicine in your eyes. Tilt your head back, and gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a pouch.

To use eyedrops, shake the bottle before you use the medicine. Look up, and squeeze a drop of the medicine into the pouch. Close your eyes for a minute or two and with a fingertip press gently on the inside corner of your eye to keep the medicine from draining out. Do not rub your eyes.

To avoid contaminating the medicine, do not let the tip of the dropper or tube touch your eye or any other surface. Replace the cap tightly. Do not use eyedrops that have become discolored.

If you have ointment, hold the tube in your hand for a minute or two to warm the medicine so it will flow easily from the tube. When you use the tube for the first time, squeeze out a little of the medicine and throw it away because it may be dry. Look up, and squeeze a 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch ribbon into the pouch. After applying the ointment, close your eyes and roll them in all directions to spread the ointment around. Do not rub your eyes.

What should I watch out for?

You need to have regular eye exams while taking this medicine. If you use this medicine for a long time, it may be absorbed into your body. You may develop glaucoma, optic nerve damage, or vision changes. Talk with your health care provider about this.

If you wear contact lenses, ask your health care provider if you can wear them while using this medicine. The preservative in this medicine may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait 15 minutes after putting the medicine in your eyes before you put in your contact lenses.

Your vision will be blurred for a little while after using the ointment. Avoid activities that require good vision until you can see clearly.

Contact your health care provider if your symptoms do not improve in a week or if they get worse.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Eye pain, blurred vision that continues, headache, drooping eyelids, large pupils.

Other: Stinging, burning, or watering eyes.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported. However, be sure that your health care provider knows about any other products you are using in your eyes.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.