Bromfenac Ophthalmic

Bromfenac ophthalmic is used to treat swelling and redness (inflammation) and pain that can occur after cataract surgery. Bromfenac ophthalmic is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It works by stopping the release of certain natural substances that cause pain and swelling.

Bromfenac ophthalmic comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eyes. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) once a day beginning one day before cataract surgery, on the day of the surgery, and for 14 days after the surgery. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use bromfenac ophthalmic exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

<list list-type='ordered' numbering='arabic'>
<li>
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.</li>
<li>
Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.</li>
<li>
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.</li>
<li>
While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.</li>
<li>
Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.</li>
<li>
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.</li>
<li>
While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.</li>
<li>
Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.</li>
<li>
Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.</li>
<li>
Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.</li>
<li>
Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.</li>
<li>
Wash your hands to remove any medication.</li></ul>

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Bromfenac eye drops may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
stinging or burning of the eyes</li>
<li>
itchy eyes</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
feeling that something is in the eye</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using bromfenac eye drops and call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
redness or swelling of eyes, lips, tongue, or skin</li>
<li>
skin rash, hives, or skin changes</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
<li>
bleeding within the eye</li>
<li>
sensitivity to light</li>
<li>
eye pain</li>
<li>
blurry, cloudy, or blocked areas of vision</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before using bromfenac eye drops, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bromfenac, aspirin, or any other medications, sulfite or any of the ingredients in bromfenac eye drops. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Midol), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Oruvail), ketorolac (Toradol), meclofenamate, mefenamic (Ponstel), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin). if you are using another eye drop medication, use the eye medications at least 5 minutes apart. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), dry eye disease or any eye problem other than cataracts, or any condition that causes you to bleed easily. tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. You should not instill bromfenac eye drops while wearing your contact lenses. You should know that bromfenac eye drops may slow healing of the eye after surgery. Call your doctor right away if your pain and swelling do not improve.

If someone swallows bromfenac eye drops, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.