Lotemax (loteprednol) and Lotemax SM are brand-name drugs prescribed for certain eye conditions in adults and some children. As with other drugs, they can cause side effects, such as eye redness and dry eye.
Lotemax comes in different forms, and the side effects may vary depending on the form. For more information, see the prescribing information for:
- Lotemax gel (gel eye drops)
- Lotemax suspension (eye drops)
- Lotemax ointment (eye ointment)
Lotemax SM is also a gel eye drop, but it contains submicron (SM) particles of loteprednol. These particles help your eyes absorb the drug better. For more information about side effects observed in clinical trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.
For the rest of this article, “Lotemax” refers to all four forms of the drug, except where noted.
Keep reading to learn about the more common, mild, and serious side effects of Lotemax. If you’d like other information, including details about its uses, see this article.
Lotemax can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lotemax in clinical trials:
- eye pain
- increased pressure in the eye
- swelling of the cornea (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
Mild side effects can occur with Lotemax use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. Lotemax side effects may vary depending on the form. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Lotemax gel, suspension, and ointment and Lotemax SM.
Mild side effects that have been reported are listed below by form:
| Side effect | Lotemax gel | Lotemax suspension | Lotemax ointment | Lotemax SM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eye pain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| increased pressure in the eye | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| swelling of the cornea (see “Side effect specifics” for details) | ✓ | |||
| eye redness | ✓ | |||
| dry eye | ✓ | |||
| blurry vision | ✓ | |||
| a feeling like something is in your eye | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| itchy eye | ✓ | |||
| headache | ✓ | |||
| eye inflammation | ✓ | ✓ |
An allergic reaction is possible after using Lotemax. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in Lotemax clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Lotemax side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Lotemax and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Lotemax may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. Side effects may also vary depending on the form. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Lotemax gel, suspension, and ointment and Lotemax SM.
If you develop serious side effects while using Lotemax, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:
- glaucoma, which may include symptoms such as:
- blurry vision
- loss of peripheral vision (also called tunnel vision)
- seeing a halo-like glow around lights
- cataracts, which may include symptoms such as:
- trouble seeing at night
- sensitivity to glare
- cloudy or blurry vision
- slowed healing after cataract surgery
- eye infection (see “Side effect specifics” for details)
An allergic reaction is possible after using Lotemax. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Lotemax. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.
Lotemax may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Can Lotemax cause long-term side effects?
Yes, it’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re using the drug. They also include side effects that may not go away, even after you stop using the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported in clinical trials include cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections. (To learn more about eye infections with Lotemax, see “Side effect specifics” below.)
Glaucoma is due to a buildup of pressure inside your eye that can result in permanent eye damage and vision loss. Because of this, your doctor will likely monitor your eye pressure if you’re using Lotemax for 10 days or more. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Lotemax gel, suspension, and ointment and Lotemax SM.
Lotemax is approved for short-term treatment of up to 14 days. Using the medication longer increases the risk of long-term side effects. To reduce this risk, you should not use the product for more than 14 days. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the long-term side effects of Lotemax.
Does Lotemax cause dizziness or anxiety?
No, there were no reports of dizziness or anxiety in clinical trials of Lotemax gel, suspension, or ointment or Lotemax SM.
However, Lotemax contains a corticosteroid, which is known to cause side effects such as dizziness and anxiety. Lotemax is absorbed mainly in your eye, and most of the drug’s side effects affect only your eyes. A small amount of the medication may be absorbed into your body, but studies show it’s unlikely to be enough to cause side effects such as dizziness or anxiety.
If you’re experiencing dizziness or anxiety, contact your doctor. They can review possible causes, including other drugs you’re taking.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Lotemax may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lotemax gel, suspension, and ointment and Lotemax SM.
Swelling of the cornea
Swelling of the cornea (corneal edema) is possible with the use of Lotemax ointment. Your cornea is the dome-shaped outer surface of your eye that helps you see clearly. Corneal edema is caused by the buildup of fluid in your cornea. This was a commonly reported side effect in the drug’s clinical trials.
Symptoms of corneal edema can include:
- blurry vision
- eye pain
- seeing rings or halos around lights
Symptoms of corneal edema are often worse when you first wake up in the morning.
What you can do
Corneal edema can also happen after cataract surgery (a procedure to treat clouding of the lens in your eye). Note that loteprednol (Lotemax, Lotemax SM, Inveltys) is used to treat swelling and pain after cataract surgery.
While using Lotemax ointment, tell your doctor if you have eye pain or blurry or cloudy vision that doesn’t go away or gets worse. They can perform an eye exam to determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend an appropriate treatment.
Eye infection
Lotemax treatment may cause eye infections. These infections can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. Eye infections can develop at any time during treatment with Lotemax. However, this side effect was rare in clinical trials of Lotemax gel, suspension, and ointment and Lotemax SM.
Symptoms of an eye infection can include:
Medications that contain corticosteroids, such as Lotemax, can lower your body’s ability to fight infections. The risk of infection increases the longer you use the drug. Also, long lasting effects are possible if the infection is left untreated.
What you can do
To help decrease the risk of infection, you should wash your hands before and after using Lotemax. When applying the medication, do not let the tip of the container touch your hands, your eye, or any other surface. This will help you avoid spreading any germs to the medication or your eye. For more information about the proper use of Lotemax, see this article.
If you develop any of the symptoms above and they don’t improve after a couple of days, talk with your doctor right away. Also tell your doctor if your eye(s) feel worse while using Lotemax. They’ll be able to determine whether you have an infection and prescribe medication to treat it. They may recommend pausing Lotemax treatment until your infection is gone.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Lotemax can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of Lotemax gel, suspension, or ointment or Lotemax SM.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Lotemax. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Lotemax. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:
Glaucoma: Lotemax can increase the pressure in your eye(s) with long-term use. If you have glaucoma, using Lotemax can worsen your condition. If you’re using Lotemax for more than 10 days, your doctor will typically monitor the pressure in your eye. Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma.
Eye infection: Using Lotemax can increase your risk of eye infections as a side effect. (For details, see “Side effect specifics” above.) If you already have an eye infection, treatment with Lotemax can worsen it. Due to this risk, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lotemax until your infection is gone. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options that may be better choices for you.
Eye disorders with corneal or scleral thinning: If you have thinning of your cornea or sclera, using Lotemax could worsen your condition or cause a tear in these structures. Tell your doctor about any eye disorders you have before starting Lotemax.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lotemax or Lotemax SM or any of their ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe these medications. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Lotemax is safe to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with the drug.
Alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, Lotemax is likely safe for you to use. There are no known interactions between alcohol and Lotemax. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about alcohol consumption while using Lotemax.
Like most medications, Lotemax can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and will go away after a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that are bothersome or serious.
If you’d like to learn more about Lotemax, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Lotemax: For details about other aspects of Lotemax, refer to this article.
- Dosage: For information about the dosage of Lotemax, view this article.
- A look at your condition: For details about eye health and conditions, see our eye health hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.