Bromfenac
Description
Bromfenac is a pain-relieving medicine. It is used in the treatment of pain and swelling caused by cataract surgery (an eye surgery to correct the blurring of vision). It works by blocking the release of certain chemicals that cause pain and swelling.
Bromfenac shows some side effects such as headache, mild eye irritation, stinging or burning of the eyes, red or itchy eyes, increased sensitivity to light, etc. These side effects usually subside with time. However, if they persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance. Avoid driving vehicles and operating machines immediately after instilling the eye drop as it can cause temporary blurring of vision.
Bromfenac should be instilled as directed by your doctor. Close your eyes for one or two minutes after instilling the eye drop. Avoid instilling more than the recommended dose. Wash your hand thoroughly before instilling the eye drop. Do not touch the tip of the eye drop or let it touch any surface to avoid contamination.
Bromfenac is not recommended if you are allergic to it. Consult your doctor if you have a history of asthma (difficulty in breathing) and allergic reactions due to the use of medicines such as Aspirin or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of medicines used to relieve pain and swelling). It should be used with caution if you have diabetes (increased blood sugar levels), rheumatoid arthritis (pain and swelling in the small joints), blood-clotting condition (blood does not clot normally), dry eye condition (lack of enough tears to lubricate and nourish the eye), or have undergone more than one eye surgery in a short period of time.
Bromfenac should not be used in children and adolescents. Consult your doctor before using this eye drop if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Bromfenac
- Burning and stinging of eye
- Red or itchy eyes
- Headache
- Eye pain
- Eye discharge
- Floaters
Uses of Bromfenac
What is it prescribed for?
- Postoperative ocular inflammation and pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Bromfenac to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Bromfenac remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Bromfenac.
- Usage in pregnancy?Bromfenac should be avoided during pregnancy. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Bromfenac should be used with caution while breastfeeding. Hence consult your doctor before using this medicine to understand the potential risks and benefits.
Allergy
Avoid using Bromfenac if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
NSAID-induced asthma
NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of medications used to relieve pain and swelling. NSAID-induced asthma is an allergic condition that causes narrowing of the airways due to the use of NSAIDs. Bromfenac is not recommended if you have a history of asthma or skin allergy due to the use of Aspirin or other NSAIDs.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Bromfenac should be avoided during pregnancy. Hence consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Bromfenac should be used with caution while breastfeeding. Hence consult your doctor before using this medicine to understand the potential risks and benefits.
General warnings
Contact lenses
Avoid using contact lenses after undergoing eye surgery until you have completely recovered. Consult your doctor to know when you can start wearing contact lenses.
Use in children
Bromfenac is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
Blood-clotting condition
Bromfenac should be used with caution if you have a blood-clotting condition (blood does not clot normally) due to the increased risk of excessive bleeding. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Avoid contamination
If Bromfenac gets contaminated, it may increase the risk of infection. Hence take appropriate measures to maintain the sterility of the dropper tip and the ophthalmic solution. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eyes or any other surface. Also, close the cap tightly after each use.
Driving vehicles or operating machines
Bromfenac may cause floaters (spots in your vision) or temporary blurring of vision. Hence avoid driving vehicles or operating machines until your vision is clear.
Diabetes
Bromfenac should be used with caution if you have diabetes (high blood sugar levels) due to the increased risk of side effects. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Bromfenac should be used with caution if you have rheumatoid arthritis (pain and swelling in the small joints) due to the increased risk of side effects. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Dry eye condition
Bromfenac should be used with caution if you have a dry eye condition (lack of sufficient tears in the eyes to provide appropriate lubrication) due to the increased risk of side effects. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Eye surgery
Bromfenac should be used with caution if you have undergone more than one eye surgery in a short period of time due to the increased risk of side effects. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Bromfenac. Instill the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Avoid using more than the recommended dose of Bromfenac. Consult your doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Aspirin
Heparin
Dexamethasone Ophthalmic
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Instill Bromfenac as directed by the doctor. Avoid using more or less than the recommended dose. Wash your hand properly before instilling the eye drop.
Do not touch the tip of the eye drop with your hands to avoid contamination. Close the cap tightly after each use.
Avoid wearing contact lenses after undergoing eye surgery until you have completely recovered. Consult your doctor to know when you can start wearing them.
Avoid using Bromfenac if the solution becomes cloudy or if the colour has changed.
If you are using any other eye drops, maintain a time gap of at least five minutes between the administration of both medications.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Bromfenac works by blocking the release of certain chemicals responsible for pain and swelling.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Mayoclinic.org. 2022. Bromfenac (Ophthalmic Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic. [online] Available at: [Accessed 7 July 2022].
Drugs, H., 2022. Bromfenac Ophthalmic: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: [Accessed 7 July 2022].
Ema.europa.eu. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2022].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Jul 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.