Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Ointment - Indications, Dosage, and Side Effects

Overview:

Fluorometholone is an eye ointment used to treat certain conditions of the eye that can be caused due to any injury or infection. It helps reduce the signs of inflammation, such as pain, swelling, redness, and itching. Fluorometholone belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids.

Uses of Fluorometholone:

Fluorometholone is used to reduce inflammation of the eyes, as in the case of an injury or an infection. The uses of this medicine include:

1. To reduce swelling of the eyes.

2. To reduce the pain in the eyes.

3. To reduce the itching of the eyes.

4. To reduce the redness of the eyes.

Dosage and Administration:

Dosage Form:-

Dosage for Adults:

The recommended dosage for adults is one drop or a small amount of ointment in both eyes. This dosage is to be repeated based on the prescription of the doctor. The doctor may recommend one drop every six hours. If required, the dosage can be given even every four hours.

Child Dosage (ages two to 17 years):

The recommended dosage for children is one drop twice to four times daily. This dosage can be increased or decreased based on the doctor’s prescription. The maximum dosage that is prescribed is one drop every four hours.

Special Dosage Considerations:

If you have used Fluorometholone for a long period and will be stopping its use, the doctor may slowly reduce the dosage of this medication. This is done to reduce your risk of flaring up your eye condition.

Warning and Precautions:

The followings are the warnings and precautions for Fluorometholone:

• Infection: If this medication is taken with an eye infection, it can increase the chances of the infection. This can cause the infection to last longer.

• Other Effects on the Eye: This medication can cause other effects on the eye, such as increased pressure. It can cause complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, and other visual disturbances. The doctor may perform various tests before prescribing this medication.

Precautions:

1. General Precautions:

• The medications should be taken only after a prescription from a doctor.

• If the symptoms do not show any improvement even after two to three days after taking medications, it is advisable to get re-evaluvated.

• If this medication is used to treat fungal infections of the eye, simultaneous evaluation is advisable as this medication can cause the fungal infection to penetrate the layer of the eyes even with treatment.

2. Precautions for Pregnant Women:

• Fluorometholone has known to be embryocidal and teratogenic in nature. It has shown effect on on animal embryos in laboratory testing. Fetal abnormalities such as rib deformities, spina bifida, and neural abnormalities were detected.

• The effects of Fluorometholone eye ointment is yet to be established. However, it should only be taken if the benefits out weights the potential damage.

3. Precautions for Nursing Mothers:

• The effect of flurometholone on nursing mothers is yet to be determined. If this medication is given in a systematic manner, it can significant presence in the breastmilk. However, the effect of topical medication such as an eye ointment is yet to be established.

• This medication should only be administered to a nursing mother if the benefits are more that the risk. In case of serious cases, the doctor may ask the mother to temporarily stop breastfeeding.

4. Pediatric Consideration:

• The safety of this medication for children below the age of two years is yet to be established.

5. Geriatric Consideration:

• This medication has not safety concerns for geriatric patients.

For Patients:

What Do You Mean by Eye Inflammation?

The ' inflammation in the eyes' is due to a reaction to any source of irritation. This irritant could be anything, such as an allergy, infection (bacterial and viral), or injury. This injury could be due to the eye and surrounding tissue trauma. Eye inflammation is quite common and can affect people of all ages. The duration and intensity of the inflammation vary depending on individual capacity. The inflammation is classified based on the affected part of the eye. Most of the inflammatory conditions of the eye can be successfully managed. Effectively managing the inflammation depends on the effective management of the condition. However, certain eye conditions must be carefully managed, as they can even lead to vision loss. The extent of damage can be managed by early diagnosis and effective management. It is necessary to consult an ophthalmologist as early as the signs of inflammation appear.

What Are the Signs of Eye Inflammation?

Inflammation is the body’s reaction to something external. This may include injury, an infection, or harmless substances such as dust or pollen. The body perceives threats in these substances and reacts to them. Inflammation can cause swelling of the eyes. The various signs of eye inflammation include

1. Redness of the eyes.

2. Dryness of the eyes.

3. Pain in the eyes and surrounding structures, such as eyelids and eyebrows.

4. The blurring of vision.

5. Seeing floaters in the vision.

6. Itching of the eyes is associated with irritation of the eyes.

7. Swelling of the surrounding structures of the eyes, such as the eyelids and the eyebrows.

The Various Types of Inflammation Include:

The inflammation of the eyes can be classified based on the part of the eye that is affected. Any of these conditions can lead to swelling of the eyes. The various types of inflammation include

1. Uveitis: This is the inflammation of the eye that affects the uvea part of the eyes. This type of inflammation can be present in one or both eyes. This type of inflammation has to be carefully handled as it can even lead to loss of vision.

2. Keratitis: Keratitis is also known as corneal ulcer. It is the inflammation of the corneal layer of the eyes. The cornea is the dome-shaped structure that covers the pupil and iris. It is clear and plays an important role in vision. Keratitis is mostly caused due to a bacterial or viral infection.

3. Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the eye's conjunctiva. It is a clear layer that forms the outermost part of the eye.

What Is Fluorometholone?

Fluorometholone is a drug that can be classified as a corticosteroid. It is used to reduce the symptoms of eye inflammation. Various conditions, such as an infection or an injury, can bring about this inflammation. This drug can come as an eyedrop or an eye ointment. This medicine works by reducing the inflammatory activity of the WBCs (white blood cells). This also reduces the production of an inflammatory chemical called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are responsible for pain and inflammatory pathway regulation. Fluorometholone reduces inflammation and may be supplemented with other drugs to address the underlying cause of the eye condition.

What Information Is to Be Given to the Doctor?

When given to a doctor, the following information will help in better outcomes and, at the same time, prevent side effects. The important information that should be given to the doctor includes

1. History of cataract or glaucoma.

2. History of usage of contact lenses.

3. Any history of eye surgery.

4. Allergy to steroids such as Fluorometholone.

5. Other infections are being treated.

6. Currently pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

7. Breastfeeding.

How to Use Fluorometholone?

Fluorometholone is a topical corticosteroid. It is to be directly applied to the eyes and not to be taken orally. It is important to take the medication as prescribed by the doctor. Before taking medicine, hand hygiene is important. One has to wash their hands with soap and water before taking medicine. After gently pulling the lower eyelids, place a small amount of the medicine into the pouch formed by the lower eyelid. Avoid touching the eyes or the fingertips of the infected part of the eye. A small amount of the medicine is to be applied to the eye without the tube touching the eyes. Close the eyes gently to allow the medication to spread throughout. It is advisable to take the dosage as the doctor prescribes at the correct intervals. The vision may seem blurry for a few minutes after applying the medication. But this is nothing to worry about. After the application, wipe off the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and secure its cap.

What to Do in the Case of a Missed Dosage?

Taking it as soon as one remembers is advisable in case of a missed dosage. However, it is okay to skip the missed dose if it is already time for the next dosage. The medication should not be taken twice until prescribed by the doctor.

Does Fluorometholone Interact With Other Drugs?

By and large, this medication does not interact with other medications. However, the doctor should be consulted before taking other medications with this. It is important to inform the doctor about the other medications one may take to prevent any possible interactions. It is also important to mention herbal supplements and multivitamins. It is advisable to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking when on such medications to prevent even the smallest interaction.

How to Store Fluorometholone?

This medicine should be stored at room temperature, preferably between 15 and 25 degrees. Keeping this medication at room temperature above 40 degrees is not recommended. It is advisable to check for the expiration date before usage and purchase. This medication is to be kept out of the reach of children.

What Are the Side Effects of Fluorometholone?

The following may be the side effects of Fluorometholone. These side effects are not to be worried about much. The common side effects include

• Blurring of vision for a few minutes after the ointment application.

• Watering of the eyes.

• Mild changes in the taste after applying the ointment.

• Redness or stinging sensation for a few minutes after the ointment is applied.

These side effects are not to be worried about and usually resolve within a few minutes. However, the doctor must be immediately consulted if the following symptoms occur.

1. Allergic reactions such as sudden swelling of the eyelids, severe itching, and redness of the eyes.

2. Severe pain in the eyes, along with blurred vision, does not reduce with time.

3. Any other infection.

For Doctors:

Pharmacology of Fluorometholone:

Fluorometholone belongs to the class of corticosteroids. It is used to treat inflammation. It is a glucocorticoid that is used to treat various superficial inflammation. Apart from inflammation of the eyes, it is also used to treat various skin disorders.

Indications of Fluorometholone:

The following are the indications of Fluorometholone:

• Keratitis.

• Ocular inflammation.

• Bacterial infections.

• Allergic conjunctivitis.

• Inflammation of the anterior chamber.

Pharmacodynamics:

Corticosteroids generally cause a delay in the inflammatory process. They cause a reduction in the inflammatory action of the body. They prevent the formation of edema, collagen deposition, dilation of the capillaries, and scar tissue formation. These are the various signs of inflammation.

Mechanism of Action:

The exact mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids is unknown. However, corticosteroids act by the induction of inhibitory phospholipids such as phospholipase A2. These inhibitory proteins are also known as lipocortins. These proteins are inhibitors of inflammatory modulators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. The inhibitory action is achieved by inhibiting the precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids. Their essential objective is the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor. After restricting the receptor, the recently framed receptor-ligand complex moves into the cell core, which ties to numerous glucocorticoid response elements (GRE). The DNA-bound receptor then, at that point, collaborates with essential record factors, causing the expansion in the articulation of explicit objective qualities.

Half-life:

The half-life of this medication is very less. Being a topical medication, only a small portion of it is absorbed into the body. The remaining is excreted within seven to 13 hours.

Adverse Drug Reactions:

The following may be the side effects of this medication:

• Allergic reactions.

• Increase in intraocular pressure.

• A feeling of foreign substances in the eye.

• Burning or stinging in the eyes.

• Swelling of the eyelids.

• Redness of the eyes.

• Blurring or altered vision.

• Pain in the eyes.

• Discharge from the eyes.

• Increased tearing.

• Altered taste sensation.

Most symptoms are mild and usually resolve within a few hours to days.