Difluprednate
About Difluprednate
Difluprednate belongs to the class of ocular medications called ‘topical corticosteroids’ used to treat inflammatory conditions after eye surgery. It is effectively used to treat eye inflammation caused by allergies, iritis (inflammation of the coloured part of the eye (iris)), uveitis (inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea)), eye injury, postinfectious pain and inflammation.
Difluprednate contains Difluprednate, a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties and acts by inhibiting the chemicals such as prostaglandins production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. It is used to treat post-operative eye pain and inflammation.
Difluprednate is for ophthalmic (use in the eyes) use only. Use Difluprednate as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to use Difluprednate for as long as your doctor has prescribed it based on your medical condition. You may experience watery eyes, irritation, eye itching, and eyes more sensitivity to light in some cases. Most of these side effects of Difluprednate are temporary, do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not use Difluprednate without consulting your doctor if you have a damaged cornea, ulcers in the eye, eye infection producing pus, open lesions in the eye and glaucoma (a condition where the pressure inside the eye increases). Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using Difluprednate. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before using Difluprednate, and you can put it back 15 minutes after using Difluprednate. Avoid touching the eyedropper with bare hands or taking it closer to the eyelids while administering drops since it contaminates the dropper tip and solution. If you wear contact lenses, please inform your doctor.
Uses of Difluprednate
Medicinal Benefits
Difluprednate contains Difluprednate used to treat post-operative eye pain and inflammation. Difluprednate is a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties and acts by inhibiting the chemicals such as prostaglandins production (chemical messengers) that make the eye red, swollen and itchy. Difluprednate is also used to treat post-infectious swelling and pain of the eyes, treat anterior uveitis, and inflammation that affects the front part of the eye.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Difluprednate
- Eye itching/irritation
- Watery eyes
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Eyes more sensitive to light
Drug Warnings
Do not take Difluprednate if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to the corticosteroids or any of the ingredients of Difluprednate. Please inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Difluprednate. Difluprednate is not recommended for children below 1 year of age as the safety and effectiveness have not been established. Do not stop taking Difluprednate even if you feel better without asking your doctor, as your symptoms may come back and even worsen your condition. To avoid any contamination, avoid touching the tip of the dropper. Do not put in other eye medication simultaneously; wait for at least 15 minutes before putting in the second medication. If you have had glaucoma (increased eye pressure), herpes simplex infection, or any other eye problem, do not take Difluprednate until prescribed by your doctor. Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve and defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. Do not use eye drops for longer than recommended by your doctor as they may suppress adrenal gland function and may increase the risk of cataracts (clouding of the eye) and also increases the risk of a second infection.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Difluprednate may interact with a smallpox vaccine.
Drug-food interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-disease interactions: Difluprednate should not be used in patients with fungal infections, viral infections such as herpes simplex or varicella or parasitic infections such as amoebiasis, tuberculosis, damaged cornea, ulceration and glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionis best to avoid alcohol while taking medication. Difluprednate makes you dehydrated and affects eye pressure.
Pregnancy
cautionDifluprednate is a pregnancy Category C medicine. It is not known whether Difluprednate can be used in pregnancy. Please consult your doctor. Your doctor will prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown if Difluprednate passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before taking Difluprednate if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionDifluprednate may cause vision problems. However, it will be mild and temporary. So, avoid driving until your vision clears.
Liver
safe if prescribedDifluprednate can be used for treating eye infections in patients with liver diseases.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDifluprednate can be used for treating eye infections in patients with kidney diseases.
Children
cautionPlease consult your doctor if Difluprednate is to be used in children. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try to maintain good hygiene to keep your eyes clean and irritant-free.
- Do not rub your eyes even though some ophthalmic drugs make your eye itchy.
- Know your allergy triggers, such as pollen, dust and other factors.
- Sleep for at least six to eight hours to rejuvenate your eyes naturally.
- Wash your eyes with clean water at least two to three times a day
- Manage stress, eat healthily, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.
- Wash your hands thoroughly, and do not touch the dropper before using drops to avoid contamination.
- Reduce screen time (by avoiding watching tv or phone) and use sunglasses while going into the sunlight.
Special Advise
- If you are using other eye drops along with Difluprednate, maintain at least 15 minutes before administering other medicines in the same eye to avoid dilution.
- Have frequent follow-up check-ups with your doctor to check for any problems, such as cataracts or increased pressure.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Endophthalmitis: Endophthalmitis is the medical term for significant inflammation within the eye. It can happen after some type of eye surgery or if the eye is penetrated by an external item. People with glaucoma surgery (such as glaucoma filtering) or cataract surgery are at life-long risk of getting endophthalmitis. Eye pain that intensifies following surgery or injury to the eye, as well as diminished or loss of vision, are symptoms. Anterior uveitis is an inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, including the iris and adjacent tissue, known as the ciliary body.
FAQs
Difluprednate is used to treat inflammatory conditions after eye surgery.
Difluprednate contains Difluprednate, a topical corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory properties. It stops the release of certain natural substances in the eye responsible for pain and inflammation (redness and swelling).
The common side-effects of Difluprednate are red eyes, eye pain, dry eye, watery eyes, change in taste and blurred vision. These side effects are mild and temporary. In addition, it may cause inflammation of the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye),
Difluprednate is generally prescribed for 7 days. You should take this medicine for a duration given by your doctor. Avoid prolonged use, as it may cause cataracts (clouding of the eye) and increase the second infection risk. If you use Difluprednate for longer than 10 days, you may need frequent vision tests to check the pressure inside your eyes.
Avoid prolonged use, as it may cause cataracts (clouding of the eye) and also increases the risk of the second infection. Also, do not wear contact lenses while using Difluprednate.
Yes, Difluprednate is known to cause eye irritation. Difluprednate contains a preservative Benzalkonium chloride, which is known to cause eye irritation. If it becomes severe, please visit your doctor immediately.
You should apply Difluprednate to the affected eye(s) four times a day, starting 24 hours after your surgery and continuing for two weeks. After that, the frequency is reduced to twice a day for one week. Your doctor may adjust the dosage based on how you are responding to the treatment.
If you are using Difluprednate for 10 days or longer, your doctor may recommend regular eye exams to monitor for potential increased pressure in the eye (a risk with corticosteroids). Additionally, the doctor may check for signs of cataract formation (clouding of the eye's natural lens, leading to vision problems) and monitor for a second infection or changes in the condition of your eyes, especially if the medication is used for a long time.
It is generally best to avoid wearing contact lenses while using Difluprednate, as it may increase the risk of side effects, such as eye irritation. You can put your lenses back in about 15 minutes after using Difluprednate. If you wear contact lenses, please inform your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Difluprednate, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one. If you are unsure or have concerns, please consult your doctor.
Once opened, you should use your bottle of Difluprednate within 4 weeks or until you have completed your full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor. After that, the medication may no longer be sterile and could become less effective. Please read the instructions on the label and consult your doctor if you are unsure.
Yes, Difluprednate is a corticosteroid, and like other steroids, it may raise the pressure inside your eyes (known as intraocular pressure). If used for a long time, this could potentially lead to glaucoma (an eye condition that damages the nerve of your eye, leading to vision loss). Therefore, regular monitoring of eye pressure is recommended during treatment.
Difluprednate is classified as a Category C drug for pregnancy, which means the potential risks to the baby are unclear due to limited studies. Difluprednate is a corticosteroid that can pass into breast milk. Therefore, please consult your doctor before using Difluprednate during pregnancy or breastfeeding to ensure that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Difluprednate should not be used in certain conditions, including glaucoma (increased eye pressure), active viral infections (e.g., herpes simplex), or any other eye problems unless prescribed by your doctor.
