What is Lotemax: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan. 13, 2021  •  Published Dec. 30, 2020

Lotemax overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Lotemax SM, Inveltys, Alrex, Lotemax

Generic Names:

  • Loteprednol Etabonate

Uses:

  • Treats redness, itching, or watering of the eyes caused by several conditions, including allergies, eye infection, herpes zoster, and eye surgery. Also treats eye pain and swelling caused by eye surgery. Also treats dry eye disease. This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Ophthalmologic Agent

Forms:

  • Drop, Ointment, Liquid, Gel/Jelly

How it’s taken:

  • Into the eye

What is Lotemax used for?

Lotemax is an eye medication used to treat inflammation and injury. Lotemax belongs to a class of medications called corticosteroids (or commonly, “steroids”). Lotemax is a brand version of the drug loteprednol etabonate. This drug has been available for years. In the treatment of eye injury or inflammation, Lotemax use is common.

What form(s) does Lotemax come in

  • Drop

  • Ointment

  • Liquid

  • Gel/Jelly

What are common Lotemax doses?

  • Bottle 5ML of 0.5%

  • Bottle 10ML of 0.5%

  • Bottle 15ML of 0.5%

Common Lotemax prescriptions

  • Lotemax
    10ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Lotemax
    15ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Lotemax
    5gm of 0.5% bottle

  • Lotemax
    5ml of 0.5% bottle

  • Lotemax
    3.5gm of 0.5% tube

How to take Lotemax

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Turn the closed bottle upside down and shake it for 1 to 2 seconds before you put the medicine in your eye. Remove the cap while you hold the bottle upside down.

  • Eysuvis„¢ eye drops: Shake the bottle for 2 to 3 seconds just before each use.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Remove your contact lenses before you put the drops into your eyes. Wait at least 10 minutes after you use Alrex„¢ eye drops or 15 minutes after using Eysuvis„¢ eye drops or Inveltys® eye drops before you put your contact lenses back in. Talk to your eye doctor about this if you have questions.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Eysuvis„¢ eye drops: Shake the bottle for 2 to 3 seconds just before each use.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • This medicine is not for long-term use.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Remove your contact lenses before you put the drops into your eyes. Wait at least 10 minutes after you use Alrex„¢ eye drops or 15 minutes after using Eysuvis„¢ eye drops or Inveltys® eye drops before you put your contact lenses back in. Talk to your eye doctor about this if you have questions.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Turn the closed bottle upside down and shake it for 1 to 2 seconds before you put the medicine in your eye. Remove the cap while you hold the bottle upside down.

What to do if you miss a dose of Lotemax

  • Ophthalmic routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Lotemax contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to loteprednol or similar medicines, or if you have certain other eye infections (including fungal, herpes simplex, mycobacterial, vaccinia, or varicella eye infection). Do not use this medicine for any eye condition except the one your doctor prescribed it to treat.

Lotemax warnings

  • Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Lotemax® or Lotemax® SM.

  • Ophthalmic routeIf you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Eye problems (including glaucoma, cataracts, infections) with long-term useIncreased pressure in your eye, which can damage the optic nerveSlow healing of the eye

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an eye problem (including glaucoma), or if you recently had eye surgery.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Lotemax interactions

  • Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Lotemax®.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Ophthalmic routeIf you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

  • This medicine may increase the pressure inside your eye and cause glaucoma or cause posterior subcapsular cataracts (a rare type of cataract). Slow or delayed healing may also occur if you are using this medicine after cataract surgery. You will need regular eye exams to check for these problems.

  • Wait at least 5 minutes after using Inveltys® eye drops before you use other eye medicines.

Lotemax side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Runny nose, sore throat

  • Headache

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blurred vision, changes in vision, light sensitivity

  • Pain, redness, discharge, swelling, or irritation of the eye

  • Redness, swelling, or irritation of the eye

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Dry or watery eyes, a feeling that something is in your eyes

  • Headache

  • Runny nose, sore throat

  • Nausea, vomiting

  • Burning feeling when you put the drops in your eyes

  • Runny nose, sore throat