Ocu-Dex ophthalmic

Dexamethasone ophthalmic is in a class of drugs called corticosteroids. It inhibits processes in the body that cause inflammation. Therefore, the swelling and pain of inflammatory conditions is decreased.

Dexamethasone ophthalmic is used to treat eye inflammation caused by infections, injury, surgery, or other conditions.

Dexamethasone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Do not use dexamethasone ophthalmic if you have a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in your eye without also receiving proper anti-infective treatment.

Dexamethasone ophthalmic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is also not known whether dexamethasone ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use dexamethasone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, call an emergency room or poison control center near you. If the drops or ointment have been ingested, call an emergency center for advice.

Do not use other eyedrops or eye medications during treatment with dexamethasone ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking an oral steroid medication such as prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), and others.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dexamethasone ophthalmic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Applies to dexamethasone ophthalmic: intraocular implant

Along with its needed effects, dexamethasone ophthalmic (the active ingredient contained in Ocu-Dex) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dexamethasone ophthalmic:

• Bloody eye
• blurred vision
• change in vision
• eye pain
• loss of vision
• redness of the white part of the eye or inside of the eyelid

• Blindness
• decreased vision
• gradual loss of vision
• headache
• nausea
• seeing a veil or curtain across part of your vision
• seeing flashes or sparks of light
• seeing floating spots before the eyes
• vomiting