Loteprednol

Class: Corticosteroids
VA Class: OP300
Chemical Name: 17-(ethyl carbonate) chloromethyl 11β,17-dihydroxy-3-oxoandrosta-1,4-diene-17β-carboxylate
Molecular Formula: C₂₄H₃₁ClO₇
CAS Number: 82034-46-6
Brands: Alrex, Lotemax

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 14, 2022. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Synthetic nonfluorinated corticosteroid.

Uses for Loteprednol

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Symptomatic relief of seasonal allergic (hay fever, pollinosis) conjunctivitis.

Inflammatory Ocular Disorders

Symptomatic relief of corticosteroid-responsive inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the globe (i.e., allergic conjunctivitis, acne rosacea keratitis, superficial punctate keratitis, herpes zoster keratitis, iritis, and cyclitis. Use in conjunction with appropriate anti-infective therapy in some cases of conjunctival infection, when the benefits of reducing edema and inflammation outweigh the risks associated with use of topical corticosteroids.

Loteprednol etabonate 0.5% less effective than prednisolone acetate 1% in the management of anterior uveitis.

Postoperative Ocular Inflammation

Treatment of postoperative ocular inflammation following ocular surgery.

Bacterial Ophthalmic Infections

Used in fixed combination with tobramycin in certain bacterial ocular infections.

Loteprednol Dosage and Administration

General

• For seasonal allergic rhinitis, do not use for >2 weeks.

• For inflammatory ocular disorders, do not discontinue therapy prematurely.

• When used in fixed combination with tobramycin, do not discontinue prematurely.

• Reevaluate patient if ocular signs and symptoms fail to improve after 2 days of therapy.

• Monitor intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients receiving therapy for ≥10 days.

Administration

Ophthalmic Administration

Apply topically to the eyes as an ophthalmic suspension.

In fixed combination with tobramycin, apply topically to the eyes as an ophthalmic suspension.

Shake suspension vigorously prior to use.

Avoid contamination of the dropper tip.

Dosage

Available as loteprednol etabonate; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.

Adults

Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis

Ophthalmic

1 drop of a 0.2% suspension in the affected eye(s) 4 times daily.

Inflammatory Ocular Disorders

Ophthalmic

1 or 2 drops of a 0.5% suspension in the affected eye(s) 4 times daily. During initial treatment (within the first week), may increase dosage up to 1 drop every hour. When improvement occurs, decrease frequency of application.

Postoperative Ocular Inflammation

Ophthalmic

1 or 2 drops of a 0.5% suspension to the eye(s) undergoing surgery 4 times daily beginning 24 hours after surgery and continuing for 2 weeks after surgery.

Bacterial Ophthalmic Infections

Ophthalmic

Loteprednol etabonate and tobramycin ophthal...