Eysuvis

Generic name: loteprednol etabonate
Dosage form: eye (suspension) drops
Drug class: Ophthalmic steroids

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 25, 2023.

What is Eysuvis?

Eysuvis (loteprednol etabonate) is a prescription corticosteroid eye drop used for the short-term treatment of dry eye disease.

People with dry eye disease make poor quality tears or not enough tears, which can cause red, burning and scratchy eyes. It can also cause eyes to become teary and result in blurred vision.

Eysuvis works by blocking inflammation, which is a key driver of dry eye flare-ups.

Eysuvis is a suspension eye drop that makes use of a drug delivery technology called Ampplify, which allows the medication to better penetrate the mucus barrier on your eyes, leading to increased amounts of the corticosteroid medication reaching the affected area.

Eysuvis was the first corticosteroid eye drop to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the short-term treatment of dry eye disease when it was approved in 2020.

What is Eysuvis used for?

Eysuvis is used for the short-term (up to two weeks) treatment of the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

Important information

Eysuvis is for use in the eyes.

Eysuvis may cause serious side effects.

• Intraocular pressure (IOP) increase
  • Prolonged use of ophthalmic corticosteroids can cause an increase in the pressure in your eyes and may result in glaucoma and damage to your eyes. Your doctor should examine your eyes before you start using this medication to check for increased eye pressure.
• Cataracts
  • Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation.
• Delayed healing
  • Use of ophthalmic corticosteroids may delay healing. Your doctor should examine your eyes before you start using this medications and before each renewal of your prescription to check for signs of damage to the surface of your eyes.
• Viral infections
  • Ophthalmic corticosteroids may prolong viral eye infections and make them more severe. Use of ocular steroids should not be used in most viral eye infections and should be used with great caution in people with a history of herpes simplex.
• Bacterial infections
  • Ophthalmic corticosteroids should not be used in mycobacterial infection of the eye. They may also suppress your immune response increases your chances of a secondary infection, mask an infection or enhance an existing infection.
• Fungal infections
  • Long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops can increase your chances of a fungal infection of the cornea. Persistent corneal ulceration when using corticosteroid eye drops may be a sign of a fungal infection.

Remove contact lenses before using Eysuvis. Contact lenses may be reinserted 15 minutes later.

Who should not use Eysuvis?

Do not use Eysuvis if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Eysuvis. See below for a complete list of ingredients.
• you have a viral infection of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella.
• you have a mycobacterial infection of the eye
• you have a fungal disease affecting ocular structures.

What should I tell my doctor before using Eysuvis?

Before using Eysuvis, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions including if you have or had:

• an eye infection
• increased eye pressures or glaucoma
• cataracts or cataract surgery

How should I use Eysuvis?

• Use Eysuvis eye drops exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to.
• If you are wearing contact lenses take them out before using Eysuvis. The preservative in this medication can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Contact lenses may be reinstered 15 minutes after putting the eye drops in.
• If you are using other eye medications, wait at least 5 minutes before using them after using Eysuvis.
• Eysuvis can be used as soon as your feel the symptoms of a dry eye flare-up coming on.
• Eysuvis is for short-term use for up to 2 weeks at a time.
• Remove the outer cap on bottle by twisting it clockwise.
• Wash your hands.
• Shake the bottle for two to three seconds before using.
• Remove the inner pick cap. Do not allow the dropper tip to touch any surface, as this may contaminate the suspension.
• Put 1 to 2 drops into the affected eye up to 4 times a day.
• Put the pink cap back on the bottle.
• Contact your healthcare provider if pain develops, or redness, itching or inflammation become aggravated. These can be signs of infection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Eysuvis then take a dose when you remember.

Dosing information

The recommended dose of Eysuvis is 1 to 2 drops into each eye four times daily for up to two weeks.

What are the side effects of Eysuvis?

Eysuvis may cause serious side effects. See "Important information" above.

The most common side effect of Eysuvis after using it for two weeks was instillation site pain, which was reported in 5 percent of patients.

This is not the only possible side effect of Eysuvis. Call your doctor for advice about side effects.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-833-287-KALA (1-833-287-5252) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or. www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Related/similar drugs

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Eysuvis should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Eysuvis passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you use Eysuvis.

Storage

• Store upright at 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
• Do not freeze.
• After opening, this medication can be used until the expiration date on the bottle.
• Do not use if tamper-evident overcap seal is not intact.
• The white tamper-evident overcap can be thrown away. Retain the pink cap and keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Keep out of sight and reach of children.

What are the ingredients in Eysuvis?

Active ingredients: loteprednol etabonate

Inactive ingredietnts: glycerin, sodium citrate dihydrate, sodium chloride, Poloxamer 407, edetate disodium dihydrate, citric acid, and water for injection.

This medication also contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride.

Eysuvis is manufactured by Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Watertown, MA 02472.

Popular FAQ

More FAQ

• How long does it take for Eysuvis to work?

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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