Nepafenac
Description
Nepafenac is an ophthalmic anti-inflammatory medicine. It is used to treat symptoms such as eye swelling, redness, pain, etc. that occur after cataract surgery (a procedure in which the natural lens of the eye is removed due to clouding and replaced with an artificial lens). It works by blocking certain substances responsible for pain and swelling in the eyes.
Nepafenac may cause side effects like eye discomfort, watery eyes, dryness in the eyes, itching, etc. Inform your doctor if these side effects disturb you or persist for a long period. It may also cause blurred vision. Hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after using this medicine. Avoid Nepafenac if you are allergic to it.
Nepafenac should be used as prescribed by your doctor. Avoid using this medicine for more than the prescribed duration. Do not touch the tip of the dropper to any surface or to your eye, to avoid contaminating the eye drops. Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute immediately after instilling the drop. Wait for at least 5–10 minutes before delivering the next medication into the same eye to avoid dilution.
Nepafenac is not likely to interact with other medications taken orally or as an injection. However, it is always better to consult your doctor before using this medicine. It is not recommended for children under the age of ten. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before beginning treatment with this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Nepafenac
- Blurred vision
- Itching eyes
- Eye discomfort
- Dry eye
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Eye discharge
Uses of Nepafenac
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 Nepafenac to start showing its effect is not known.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Nepafenac remains effective is not known.
- 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 Nepafenac.
- Usage in pregnancy?Nepafenac is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects to your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Nepafenac passes into the breastmilk or not. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Nepafenac if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any worsening of your allergic symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
NSAID-induced asthma
Nepafenac is not recommended for use if you have a history of NSAID or aspirin-induced asthma, as this medicine may increase the risk of a recurrent asthma attack, leading to a worsening of your health condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Nepafenac is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects to your developing foetus. Hence, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Nepafenac passes into the breastmilk or not. If you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Corneal damage and Keratits
Nepafenac should be used with caution due to the increased risk of corneal damage or keratitis, especially if used for longer durations and in higher doses than recommended. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately.
Contact lens
Your doctor may ask you to stop using contact lenses for up to a few days prior to the surgery and for up to a few days to a few months post-surgery, depending on the type of eye surgery performed. If you are able to use contact lenses post-surgery, they should be removed prior to the administration of the eye drops. You are advised to wait for at least 10 to 15 minutes post administration of the eye drops before re-inserting the lenses.
Driving or Operating machinery
Nepafenac may cause blurred vision or other vision changes in some individuals. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after using these drops, until your vision is clear.
Use in children
Nepafenac is not recommended for use in children less than 10 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Administer the missed dose of Nepafenac 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
Do not administer more than the prescribed dose of Nepafenac. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an overdose with this medicine.
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
Prednisolone Ophthalmic
Rimexolone Ophthalmic
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Nepafenac is used to reduce pain and inflammation. Instil this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all the instructions given in the leaflet.
Apply pressure on the corner of the eye (close to the nose) for about 1 minute immediately after instilling the Nepafenac.
Wait for at least 5–10 minutes before delivering the next medication into the same eye to avoid dilution.
If you wear soft contact lenses, remove them before putting in Nepafenac and wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back in.
After installation, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Keep away from the reach of children and pets. Ensure that the unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Nepafenac works by inhibiting the production of certain natural substances that are responsible for causing eye pain, redness, and swelling.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Ophthalmic anti-inflammatory agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Nepafenac Ophthalmic: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Nevanac 1mg/ml eye drops, suspension - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2021. TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 December 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Dec 2021
Disclaimer
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