Nepafenac Ophthalmic

Generic Name: nepafenac ophthalmic (ne PA fan ak off THAL mik)
Brand Names: Nevanac

What is nepafenac?

Feedback for Nepafenac

User Comments	Avg User Rating
0 Comments	Be the first to rate it

Nepafenac ophthalmic is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It reduces pain and inflammation in the eyes.

Nepafenac ophthalmic is used to reduce pain and swelling after cataract surgery.

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

What is the most important information I should know about nepafenac?

Before using nepafenac ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or other eye drops

Also tell your doctor if you have diabetes, dry eye syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia, or arthritis.

Do not use nepafenac while you are wearing contact lenses. Nepafenac may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using nepafenac before putting your contact lenses in. Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye. Do not use nepafenac ophthalmic for longer than 14 days after your surgery unless your doctor tells you to.

What should I discuss with my healthcare professional before using nepafenac?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to nepafenac.

Before using nepafenac ophthalmic, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or other eye drops, or if you have:

diabetes;
dry eye syndrome;
rheumatoid arthritis;
a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, such as hemophilia; or
arthritis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use nepafenac, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

Do not use nepafenac ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses take them out or talk to your doctor before using the medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. Nepafenac may be harmful to an unborn baby, especially if during the last part of pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether nepafenac ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use nepafenac without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use nepafenac?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Nepafenac is usually given as 1 drop in the affected eye 3 times per day, starting 1 day before cataract surgery.

Do not use nepafenac ophthalmic for longer than 14 days after your surgery unless your doctor tells you to. Wash your hands before using the eye drops. Do not use nepafenac while you are wearing contact lenses. Nepafenac may contain a preservative that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using nepafenac before putting your contact lenses in. Shake the eye drops well just before you use them.

To apply the eye drops:

Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid. Hold the dropper above the eye with the dropper tip down. Look up and away from the dropper as you squeeze out a drop, then close your eye.
Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct. If you use more than one drop in the same eye, wait about 5 minutes before putting in the next drop.
Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, including the eyes or hands. If the dropper becomes contaminated it could cause an infection in your eye, which can lead to vision loss or serious damage to the eye.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your doctor for a new prescription.

Keep using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed, including drops to treat glaucoma. Use only the eye medications your doctor has prescribed.

Store the drops at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of nepafenac ophthalmic is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.

What should I avoid while using nepafenac?

Do not touch the dropper to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye. Do not use any other eye medications that have not been prescribed or recommended by your doctor.

Do not use nepafenac ophthalmic while wearing contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses take them out or talk to your doctor before using the medication.

Nepafenac ophthalmic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have vision problems, crusting or drainage of your eyes, swollen eyelids, or severe eye pain.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur (some are effects of cataract surgery and not side effects of the medication):

dry or sticky feeling in the eye;
feeling like something is in your eye;
eye redness;
itching or watering of the eye;
increased sensitivity to light;
headache;
nausea, vomiting; or
stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect nepafenac?

Before using nepafenac, tell your doctor if you also use any steroid medication, including steroids eye drops.

There may be other drugs that can interact with nepafenac ophthalmic. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about nepafenac ophthalmic.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use nepafenac only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.