Indication

Allergic conjunctivitis, Ocular inflammation, Superficial punctate keratitis, Herpes zoster keratitis, Iritis, Cyclitis, Otic inflammation, Steroid responsive inflammatory conditions of the external auditory meatus, Allergic otitis externa, Infective otitis externa.

Adult Dose

Eye:\r\n1 or 2 drops in conjunctival sac.\r\nSevere or acute inflammation: Every 30 to 60 minutes as initial therapy, reducing the dosage when favourable response is observed to every two to four hours. Further reduction may be made to one drop three or four times daily if sufficient to control inflammation.\r\nChronic inflammation: Every three to six hours, or as necessary.\r\nAllergic inflammation: Every three to four hours until the desired response is obtained.\r\n\r\nEar :\r\nInstill two or three drops to the ear at two or three hours interval.The frequency of dosage and duration of treatment may vary with the type of lession and severity.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity; Contraindicated in epithelial herpes simplex, vaccinia, varicella, and most other viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva; tuberculosis of the eye; fungal disease of ocular structures; other diseases caused by micro-organisms, may be enhanced by the presence of the steroid. It is contraindicated in patients with perforated ear drum membrane.

Mode of Action

Dexamethasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid which decreases inflammation by inhibiting the migration of leukocytes and reversal of increased capillary permeability. It suppresses normal immune response.

Precaution

Prolonged use may result in ocular hypertension and/or glaucoma, with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation.Elderly, children and adolescent; pregnancy and lactation.\r\n\r\nLactation: Excretion in milk unknown/use caution

Side Effect

Topical application to eye\r\nCataract (4% )\r\nOcular hypertension, Open-angle glaucoma, optic nerve damage, and defects in visual acuity and field of vision (after prolonged use)\r\n\r\n<1%\r\nTransient ocular stinging, burning, local irritation, ocular discharge, ocular discomfort or pain, foreign body sensation, hyperemia, abnormal vision/blurring, pruritus, lid margin crusting, sticky sensation, increased fibrin, dry eye, conjunctival edema, corneal staining, keratitis, tearing, edema, irritation, corneal ulcer, browache, eyelid erythema, corneal edema, infiltrate, corneal erosion, mydriasis, ptosis, epithelial punctate keratitis, and possible corneal or scleral malacia, [posterior subcapsular cataracts] (prolonged use)

Pregnancy Category Note

Pregnancy\r\nThere are no adequate or well-controlled studies in pregnant women; should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the embryo or fetus\r\n\r\nHowever, prolonged or repeated corticoid use during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of intra-uterine growth retardation\r\n\r\nLactation\r\nSystemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects\r\n\r\nUnknown whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk