Pred-Forte Drops

How do I use prednisolone eye drops?

• One or two drops should be put into the affected eye(s) every one to two hours to begin with, usually for the first 24 to 48 hours. You only need to use the drops during the hours you're awake.
• Once the inflammation is under control your doctor will ask you to use the drops less frequently. Follow the instructions on your prescription label or given by your doctor carefully. It's important that you don't use these drops more or less often, or for a longer or shorter period of time, than you have been told by your doctor.
• You shouldn't wear contact lenses while using prednisolone eye drops because they may make your eye inflammation worse. Multi-dose bottles of prednisolone eye drops may also contain a preservative called benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by contact lenses and cause eye irritation.
• It's a good idea to press on the corner of your eye closest to your nose for a few minutes after putting in prednisolone eye drops. This is to minimise the amount of the steroid that drains though your tear duct and is absorbed into your bloodstream.
• If you're using a multi-dose bottle of eye drops this must be disposed of four weeks after opening. Don't save it for future use because it's likely to be contaminated with germs by this time.
• If you're using single dose prednisolone minims there should be enough eye drop solution in each minim to treat both eyes if needed. Each minim should be disposed of after use, even if some solution remains in the unit. Prednisolone minims don't contain a preservative.

How do I use prednisolone ear drops?

• To begin with, you should put two to three drops into the affected ear(s) every two to three hours while you're awake, usually for the first 24 to 48 hours.
• Once the inflammation is under control your doctor will ask you to use the drops less frequently. Follow the instructions on your prescription label or given by your doctor carefully. It's important that you don't use these drops more or less often, or for a longer or shorter period of time, than you have been told by your doctor.

What if I miss a dose of prednisolone eye or ear drops?

• If you forget to use a dose of your drops you should put in the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case just leave out the missed dose and put your next dose of drops in as usual. Don't use double the amount of drops to make up for a missed dose.
• See your doctor if there is little or no improvement in your symptoms after seven days of using prednisolone eye or ear drops. These drops should not be used for longer than seven days, unless under expert supervision. If prolonged therapy is needed, you should have regular check-ups with your doctor so they can monitor you for adverse reactions. After more prolonged treatment (over six to eight weeks), the drops should be withdrawn slowly to avoid your condition relapsing.

Who shouldn't use prednisolone eye or ear drops?

Prednisolone eye drops should not be used by people with:

• Severe untreated bacterial eye infections.
• Viral infections of the eye, eg herpes simplex.
• Fungal infections of the eye.
• Tuberculosis of the eye.
• Glaucoma.

Do not use prednisolone eye drops to treat a red eye that has not been diagnosed by a doctor, as inappropriate use can cause blindness.

Prednisolone ear drops should not be used by people with:

• Untreated ear infections.
• A perforated eardrum.

Prednisolone eye and ear drops shouldn't be used if you are allergic to any of the ingredients. Check the ingredients in the leaflet that comes with the drops if you know you have any specific allergies. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using the drops and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Can I use prednisolone eye or ear drops while pregnant or breastfeeding?

• Prednisolone eye and ear drops are extremely unlikely to have any harmful effects on the baby if used for short periods of time by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are at all worried you should get advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
• If your doctor does ask you to use these drops in your eye(s) while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should minimise the amount of medicine that is absorbed into your bloodstream and thus passes to your baby, by pressing on your tear duct while putting in the drops, and for a few minutes after. The tear duct is at the corner of the eye closest to your nose.

What are the possible side effects of prednisolone eye or ear drops?

Possible side effects when prednisolone drops are used in the eyes include:

• Temporary blurred vision after putting the drops in the eye. Don't drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.
• Irritation, itching, stinging or burning sensation in the eye(s).
• Thinning of the cornea or sclera (the tissues which cover the outer surface of the eye).
• Intensive or prolonged use of prednisolone eye drops may lead to an increase in the pressure inside the eye, glaucoma, damage to the optic nerve or the formation of cataracts. Your eye specialist will want you to have regular eye check-ups to monitor for these types of side effects if you use prednisolone eye drops for long periods of time.

Possible side effects when prednisolone drops are used in the ears include:

• Local irritation, itching, stinging or burning sensation.
• Dermatitis.

Can I use prednisolone eye or ear drops with other medicines?

It's important to tell your doctor, eye specialist or pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start using prednisolone eye or ear drops. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines with these drops, to make sure that the combination is safe.

If you're using any other types of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

References:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/eyes/a7854/prednisolone-eye-and-ear-drops/

https://www.drugs.com/cdi/pred-forte-drops.html

http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/pred_forte_pi

http://www.rxlist.com/pred-forte-side-effects-drug-center.htm

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/5289