Pred Forte Eye Drops
Pred Forte Eye Drops is one of the most common eye drops that used to treat inflammation these days. Pred-Forte was approved by FDA in 1973. It is a brand name belong to Allergen manufacture.
Ingredients of Pred Forte Eye Drops
Active ingredients
Microfine suspension of prednisolone acetate 1.0%. It should be shaked well before using.
Inactives ingredients
Boric acid, edetate disodium, hypromellose, polysorbate 80,sodium citrate,purified water,sodium chloride and sodium bisulfite.
Preservative
Benzalkonium chloride.
Storage
Pred Forte Eye Drops should be stored up to 25°C (77°F). Should not be freezed and away from children.
How does it work or Mechanism of Action
Pred Forte Eye Drops contain the active ingredients prednisolone which is mainly act as anti inflammatory agent because it inhibits the signs and symptoms of inflammation like pain, redness, hotness and edema or fluid collection.
It inhibits edema by inhibiting capillary dilation which will decrease edema and inhibit migration of phagocytes which are the main cells in acute inflammation.
Indications of Pred Forte Eye Drops or Prednisolone Eye Drops
1- It can be used in any inflammatory conditions of the anterior part of the eye (such as anterior uveitis), conjunctiva and eyelid.
2- Pred forte eye drops after cataract surgery and other surgical procedures such as lasik, vitrectomy surgery and corneal grafts. Usually your eye doctor will prescribe Pred-forte eye drops post surgery for few days or weeks depend on the surgery. Usually it should be combined with antibiotics.
3- In case of corneal grafts rejection.
4- In corneal bacterial infection, it is only prescribed with antibiotics and should be used in caution and it is only indicated under certain circumstances.
5- It can be used also in severe ocular allergic conditions when other modalities failed.
Contraindications of Pred Forte Eye Drops
1- Corneal viral infection especially herpes simplex virus. Sometimes your eye doctor will prescribe mild pred forte in patients with herpetic keratitis but with caution to decrease the complications of herpes corneal infection.
2- Sever bacterial infection.
3- Corneal Fungal infection.
4- Mycobacterial corneal infection.
5- Patient with history of glaucoma because pred-forte can raise intraocular pressure.
6- Patients who are allergic to ingredients of the medication especially sodium bisulfate which in allergic patient can cause symptoms that can range from mild episodic asthmatics attacks to severe anaphylactic shock.
Allergy and sensitivity of Sodium bisulfate in the general population is unknown and most likely low.
Pred Forte Eye Drops Side Effects
1- Temporary blurred vision after applying the drops in the eye.
2- Irritation, itching, stinging or burning sensation in the eye after applying the eye drops.
3- Cataract induction in long term especially posterior subcapsular cataract.
4- Increase in intraocular pressure which can cause damage to optic nerve and visual field defects, causing glaucoma. Sometimes, the intraocular pressure will return to normal after the cessation of Pred forte eye drops.
5- Corneal melting and thinning. Because Pred-forte will inhibit collagen depositions and there will be no new collagen built. It can lead to globe perforation after minimal trauma.
6- Scleral thinning. Same explanation as above.
7- Delay healing for corneal ulcer.
8- Secondary ocular infection because it will suppress host immune system.
9- Mydriasis ( pupil dilation) and loss of accommodation.
10- Ptosis or dropping in eyelid.
11- Systemic effects are extremely uncommon.
12- Some systemic side effects that are uncommon such as increase blood level of sugar, high blood pressure and weight gain especially in long term usage.
Important Things to know
Pred forte either the initial prescription or the renewal should only be made by your eye doctor and after ocular examination which should include:
1- Measurement of intraocular pressure which should be done routinely for any patient who used Pred-forte for more than a week.
2- Formation of cataract.
3- Improvement or worsen of the condition that Pred-forte is used to treat.
It only should be used for the period that your doctor prescribe it for you.
Pred Forte Eye Drops and Contact Lenses
It is advisable not to wear contact lens when you are in pred forte eye drops, unless your eye doctor prescribe a special contact lens called bandage contact lenses which are used in managements of many corneal diseases.The reasons why you should not use contact lens with pred-forte are:
1- It will suppress the host immune system and contact lens may induce corneal infection.
2- It has benzalkonium chloride. as preservative ingredients which can participate on contact lens causing discoloration.
Information for pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, you should inform your doctor immediately. Pred-Forte eye drops should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the developing baby. Prednisolone was shown to be teratogenic in mice in doses of 1-10 times the human dose but there are no enough studies in pregnant women.
Prednisolone can be absorbed systemically when applied as an eye drops and in this case it will appear in breast milk and can slow down the growth, interfere with the production of natural internal corticosteroid , or cause other unwanted effects on the baby. A decision to discontinue the drug or to discontinue nursing should be made and taking into account how important the drug to the mother.
Using other medications with it
It is important to tell your doctor about any medicines you are already using, including those without a prescription and herbal medicines. In case you are using other types of eye drop you should inform your doctor about that and when you apply your eye drop medications, try to separate them by at least 5 minutes apart. Always use gel or ointment at last because it will act as a barrier between the eye drops and your eye.
When should you contact your Eye Doctor
You should contact your doctor immediately if:
1- Signs and symptoms failed to improve after 2 days.
2- Increase eye discharge.
3- Severe blurred of vision.
4- Severe ocular pain.
5- Headache with nausea.