fluorometholone

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum: 

By inhibiting the immune system’s reaction, especially the generation of prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators, fluorometholone works to reduce inflammation. This activity aids in easing eye symptoms like redness, edema, and itching. 

fluorometholone’s range is constrained to the eye because it was created exclusively for ophthalmic usage. It is typically employed to treat inflammatory eye illnesses such uveitis and allergic conjunctivitis. It is not meant to be applied to other bodily parts. 

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined  

Glaucoma 

Hypercorticoidism (rare) 

Cataract 

Foreign body sensation 

Eye pruritus 

Lacrimation increased 

Rash 

Erythema of eyelid 

Eyelid edema/eye swelling 

Potentiate super infection 

Visual disturbance (blurry vision) 

Visual field defect 

Slow wound healing 

Allergic reactions 

Eye discharge 

Eye pain 

Taste perversion 

Post marketing reports 

Cushing’s syndrome  

Dysgeusia 

Adrenal suppression

Black Box Warning

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution: 

Contraindication: 

• Those who have a known allergy to fluorometholone or any other ingredient should not use fluorometholone.

Caution: 

• Current eye infections 
• A history of elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma 
• Cataracts 
• Diabetes  
• Hypertension 
• History of herpes simplex 
• Corneal thinning  
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the foetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology 

fluorometholone is absorbed by the cornea and reaches the anterior chamber of the eye when applied topically to the eye. It works by attaching to glucocorticoid receptors in target cells’ cytoplasm, which inhibits the transcription of several pro-inflammatory genes. As a result, less inflammatory mediators such prostaglandins, cytokines, and chemokines are produced, which in turn contributes to the signs of inflammation and edema in the eye. 

Pharmacodynamics 

fluorometholone interacts with glucocorticoid receptors on target cells in the eye to exert its pharmacodynamic effects. As fluorometholone reaches the target cell’s cytoplasm, it interacts to the glucocorticoid receptor to create a complex that then moves into the nucleus of the cell.

The complex interacts with certain DNA sequences known as glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) in the promoter regions of target genes in the nucleus. Anti-inflammatory genes are activated and some pro-inflammatory genes’ transcription is inhibited as a result of this interaction. 

Pharmacokinetics 

Absorption   

Usually, fluorometholone is used topically to the eye. It enters the aqueous humor after being administered to the eye and is then absorbed via the cornea. fluorometholone’s absorption is affected by several variables, including the medication’s formulation, the health of the cornea, and the presence of other drugs. 

Distribution 

The anterior chamber of the eye has fluorometholone throughout, and this is where it works its pharmacological magic. fluorometholone has a very little systemic distribution because to its poor systemic absorption. 

Metabolism 

The liver is the primary site of metabolism for fluorometholone, where inactive metabolites are produced by hydrolysis and oxidation. fluorometholone’s metabolism may be impacted by several variables, including liver health and the presence of other drugs. 

Elimination and excretion 

The majority of fluorometholone’s metabolites are eliminated in the urine. fluorometholone and its metabolites are rapidly excreted from the eye, having a half-life of around 3 hours. 

Adminstartion

Administration 

Usually, fluorometholone is used directly to the eye as eye drops or an ointment. 

For eye drops, 

Before handling the eye drops, give your hands a thorough wash. 

Lean back and glance upward. 

To create a little pocket, draw the lower eyelid down with your index finger. 

To help the medication disperse evenly, let go of the lower eyelid and gently shut your eye for a short period of time. 

Wait at least five minutes before using any more eye drops if you are using them. 

For eye ointment, 

Be sure to fully wash your hands before touching the ointment. 

Lean back and glance upward. 

To create a little pocket, draw the lower eyelid down with your index finger. 

To help the ointment spread evenly, let go of the lower eyelid and briefly shut your eye. 

Wait at least five minutes before applying any additional eye ointments if you want to use them. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: fluorometholone 

Why do we use fluorometholone? 

A corticosteroid drug called fluorometholone is mostly used to treat ocular irritation. 

fluorometholone can aid in the relief of allergic conjunctivitis symptoms include eye redness, itching, and watering. 

Inflammation in the middle layer of the eye can be treated with fluorometholone. It can aid in enhancing vision and easing discomfort brought on by this illness. 

The cornea, the transparent front surface of the eye, can experience inflammation that can be treated with fluorometholone. It can aid in reducing the discomfort, redness, and light sensitivity linked to this illness