FDA

Lotemax

Approved 15 Apr 2011EyeOintment

The FDA lists this product in 4 strengths and forms.

Indications

LOTEMAX ® (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic ointment) 0.5% ointment is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. LOTEMAX ointment is a corticosteroid indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. (1)

Contraindications

LOTEMAX ointment, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures. LOTEMAX ointment, as with other ophthalmic corticosteroids, is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures.

( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. If this product is used for 10 days or longer, IOP should be monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients. ( 5.1 )
Cataracts : Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. ( 5.2 )
Delayed Healing : The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids. ( 5.3 )
Bacterial Infections : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. ( 5.4 )
Viral Infections : Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). ( 5.5 )
Fungal Infections : Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local steroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use. ( 5.6 )

At a glance

Brand name: Lotemax
Active substance: loteprednol etabonate
Route: Eye
Dosage form: Ointment
Applicant: Bausch and Lomb
Status: Prescription
FDA approval: 15 Apr 2011
Application: NDA200738-001

Indications

Contraindications

( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may result in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision. If this product is used for 10 days or longer, IOP should be monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients. ( 5.1 )
Cataracts : Use of corticosteroids may result in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. ( 5.2 )
Delayed Healing : The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation. In those diseases causing thinning of the cornea or sclera, perforations have been known to occur with the use of topical steroids. ( 5.3 )
Bacterial Infections : Prolonged use of corticosteroids may suppress the host response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections. In acute purulent conditions, steroids may mask infection or enhance existing infection. ( 5.4 )
Viral Infections : Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution. Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). ( 5.5 )
Fungal Infections : Fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local steroid application. Fungus invasion must be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where a steroid has been used or is in use. ( 5.6 )

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with loteprednol etabonate in pregnant women. Loteprednol etabonate produced teratogenicity at clinically relevant doses in the rabbit and rat when administered orally during pregnancy. Loteprednol etabonate produced malformations when administered orally to pregnant rabbits at doses ≥ 1.6 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose (RHOD) and to pregnant rats at doses ≥ 41 times the RHOD.

In pregnant rats receiving oral doses of loteprednol etabonate during the period equivalent to the last trimester of pregnancy through lactation in humans, survival of offspring was reduced at doses ≥ 4 times the RHOD. Maternal toxicity was observed in rats at doses ≥ 405 times the RHOD, and a maternal no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was established at 41 times the RHOD. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.

However, the background risk in the U.S. general population of major birth defects is 2 to 4%, and of miscarriage is 15 to 20%, of clinically recognized pregnancies. Data Animal Data Embryofetal studies were conducted in pregnant rabbits administered loteprednol etabonate by oral gavage on gestation Days 6 to 18, to target the period of organogenesis. Loteprednol etabonate produced fetal malformations at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg (1.6 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose (RHOD) based on body surface area, assuming 100% absorption).

Spina bifida (including meningocele) was observed at doses ≥ 0.1 mg/kg, and exencephaly and craniofacial malformations were observed at doses ≥ 0.4 mg/kg (6.5 times the RHOD). At 3 mg/kg (49 times the RHOD), loteprednol etabonate was associated with increased incidences of abnormal left common carotid artery, limb flexures, umbilical hernia, scoliosis, and delayed ossification. Abortion and embryofetal lethality (resorption) occurred at doses ≥ 6 mg/kg (97 times the RHOD).

A NOAEL for developmental toxicity was not established in this study. The NOAEL for maternal toxicity in rabbits was 3 mg/kg/day. Embryofetal studies were conducted in pregnant rats administered loteprednol etabonate by oral gavage on gestation Days 6 to 15, to target the period of organogenesis. Loteprednol etabonate produced fetal malformations, including absent innominate artery at doses ≥ 5 mg/kg (41 times the RHOD); and cleft palate, agnathia, cardiovascular defects, umbilical hernia, decreased fetal body weight and decreased skeletal ossification at doses ≥ 50 mg/kg (410 times the RHOD).

Embryofetal lethality (resorption) was observed at 100 mg/kg (811 times the RHOD). The NOAEL for developmental toxicity in rats was 0.5 mg/kg (4 times the RHOD). Loteprednol etabonate was maternally toxic (reduced body weight gain) at doses of ≥ 50 mg/kg/day. The NOAEL for maternal toxicity was 5 mg/kg. A peri-/postnatal study was conducted in rats administered loteprednol etabonate by oral gavage from gestation Day 15 (start of fetal period) to postnatal Day 21 (the end of lactation period).

At doses ≥ 0.5 mg/kg (4 times the clinical dose), reduced survival was observed in live-born offspring. Doses ≥ 5 mg/kg (41 times the RHOD) caused umbilical hernia/incomplete gastrointestinal tract. Doses ≥ 50 mg/kg (410 times the RHOD) produced maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain, death), decreased number of live-born offspring, decreased birth weight, and delays in postnatal development. A developmental NOAEL was not established in this study.

The NOAEL for maternal toxicity was 5 mg/kg.

Lotemax

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

Lotemax

Indications

Contraindications

Warnings and precautions

At a glance

Two medicines in one question?

5.1Intraocular Pressure (IOP) Increase

5.2Cataracts Use

5.3Delayed Healing

5.4Bacterial Infections

5.6Fungal Infections

5.7Risk of Contamination Do

5.8Contact Lens Wear

5.9Topical Ophthalmic Use

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1Pregnancy Risk Summary

Adverse reactions

Composition

Strengths and forms

Official product information