Dextenza

Dextenza is a prescription medication used to treat post-operative eye pain in adults. Dextenza belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids, which prevent eye damage and can relieve redness, irritation, and discomfort.
 
This medication comes in an insert that is placed into the corner of the eye. A medical professional will insert the medication during surgery.
 
Common side effects of Dextenza include inflammation or increased ocular pressure inside the eye.

Dextenza is a prescription medication used to treat eye pain following surgery to the eye in adults.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Dextenza. See the “Dextenza Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Dextenza include the following:

• Inflammation inside the anterior chamber of the eye
• Increased pressure inside the eye
• Reduced visual acuity (sharpness)
• Eye pain
• Macular or corneal swelling
• Redness of the eyes
• Headache

This is not a complete list of Dextenza side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No Dextenza drug interactions have been determined by the manufacturer. However, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Dextenza including the following:

• intraocular pressure increase. Prolonged use of Dextenza can cause glaucoma and damage the optic nerve. This medication should be used cautiously in patients with glaucoma. Patients on this medication should be monitored during treatment.
• bacterial infections. Dextenza can suppress the host response and increase the risk of secondary infections to the eye. Existing infections may worsen when on this medication.
• viral infections. This medication may prolong the course and worsen viral infections of the eye.
• fungal infections. Fungal invasion may occur in an ulceration in the eye during steroid use or previous use. 
• delayed healing. Use of this medication may delay healing or allow blebs (blister-like fluid collection) to form.

Do not take Dextenza if you:

• are allergic to Dextenza or to any of its ingredients 
• have an active infection of the eye

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Dextenza, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Dextenza, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Dextenza or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had glaucoma
• have an existing eye infection
• have any pre-existing conditions of the eye
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with cleft palate, visceral malformations, or died. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication should only be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Dextenza crosses into human milk. Medications in the same class as Dextenza have appeared in human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Dextenza.

Take Dextenza exactly as prescribed.

Dextenza comes in an insert for the eye. The insert stays in the eye and provides a constant stream of medication. It is placed into the eye by a healthcare professional.

Following treatment, Dextenza is reabsorbed and exits the nasolacrimal system without the need for removal.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
 
The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your weight
• your height
• your age
• your gender

A single Dextenza releases a 0.4 mg dose of dexamethasone for up to 30 days following insertion.

Only one insert and dose of Dextenza is placed into the eye. The insert can stay in the eye for up to 30 days. It resorbs and leaves the eye without need for removal when treatment is complete.

If Dextenza is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.