What Is Prednisolone Acetate?
Prednisolone acetate is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat certain eye conditions. It is prescribed in the form of an eye drop. Its brand name is Pred Forte. Prednisolone acetate is used for many conditions that cause eye inflammation such as uveitis, chemical burn, and keratitis. The medication relieves symptoms such as swelling, redness, and itching.
Key Takeaways
- Prednisolone acetate is an eyedrop medication used to treat inflammation of the eye.
- Prednisolone acetate is used to treat many eye conditions such as uveitis, stromal keratitis, and chemical burn of the eye.
- Side effects of prednisolone acetate include high eye pressure, cataracts, and secondary eye infections. The medication should only be taken as instructed by an eye doctor.
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Understanding Prednisolone Acetate
Prednisolone acetate is a steroid medicine used to treat eye inflammation. It is under the medication class known as corticosteroids. The medication can be very helpful in treating eye pain, redness, irritation, and sensitivity to light. It is prescribed for conditions such as uveitis, stromal keratitis, and chemical burns of the eye.
Prednisolone acetate should be shaken well before the drops are put into the eye, because the medicine component tends to settle at the bottom of the bottle. Prednisolone acetate should only be taken as instructed by your eye doctor. If used in excess, it can cause side effects such as elevated eye pressure, cataracts, or secondary eye infection. Prednisolone acetate is a prescription eye drop and it is not available for purchase over-the-counter.
Composition of Prednisolone Acetate
Prednisolone acetate belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids, which are used in almost every medical specialty. Corticosteroids decrease the inflammation in the body by preventing inflammatory molecules from being produced. In particular, corticosteroids stop the arachidonic acid pathway which produces phospholipase A2, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes are released during the body’s natural immune response. Their functions are to increase inflammation so that the body can attack any invading cells.
By inhibiting phospholipase A2, corticosteroid medications such as prednisolone acetate decrease inflammation. Thus, prednisolone acetate is an anti-inflammatory medication that reduces redness, itching, or pain.
Directions To Use Prednisolone Acetate
Prednisolone acetate is an ophthalmic suspension drop. This means that the medicine component is suspended and distributed within another liquid. The bottle must be shaken for 10 to 15 seconds before putting the eye drop into the eye in order to get the full effect of the medication. The medicine tends to settle at the bottom of the bottle due to gravity, and it only gets distributed properly throughout the bottle if it’s shaken first.
Before taking prednisolone acetate eye drops, it is important to wash your hands. Avoid touching the dropper with your fingers to prevent any contamination. Shake the bottle for 10 to 15 seconds before use. Tilt your head back and use a finger to pull down the lower eyelid. Put one eye drop into the eye. Blink your eyes for 5 to 10 seconds after you put in the eye drop to increase its absorption.
Storage Of Prednisolone Acetate
Prednisolone acetate eye drops should be stored in their original container, tightly sealed, placed upright, and out of children’s or animal’s reach. It is not suggested to store the container in a humid or warm area such as near a window. The optimal temperature level for storage is around 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Prednisolone acetate eye drops can only be kept for four weeks once the bottle is opened. The bottle should be thrown away after the course of treatment is completed. Do not keep the bottle for future use, because using corticosteroids without the recommendation of an eye doctor can cause permanent damage to the eye.
Side Effects
Common side effects of prednisolone acetate eye drops include
- Elevated intraocular pressure (if used for over two weeks)
- Glaucoma (if used excessively)
- Cataracts (if used excessively)
- Increased risk of secondary eye infections such as herpes or bacterial ulcers
- Mild burning or stinging of the eyes
- Blurry vision
Warnings And Interactions
Do not use any other eye medication while using prednisolone acetate without the proper advice from the healthcare professional. Here are some warning signs to know before using the prednisolone acetate eye drops.
- Using prednisolone acetate for more than fourteen days might increase the eye pressure. A chronically elevated eye pressure can put the eye at risk of developing glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease characterized by progressive loss of peripheral vision.
- Prednisolone Acetate can cause the onset of cataracts in some people. This typically only occurs if the medication is taken for months.
- Extended use of steroid medications will decrease the functioning of the immune system, which can predispose to secondary infections of the eye.
- Consult with the healthcare provider before using the medications if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have a history of herpes or tuberculosis infections.
