Alrex Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Alrex (loteprednol etabonate) is an ophthalmic corticosteroid used to reduce swelling, redness, and itching in the eyes caused by seasonal allergies. It is supplied as a suspension that must be shaken well before each use. Alrex is meant for short-term use, and it is not approved for anyone younger than 18 years old.

What is Alrex Eye Drops

Alrex is a steroid eye drop that belongs to the ophthalmic corticosteroid drug class. Its active ingredient is loteprednol etabonate. It comes as a suspension that must be shaken before use.

Alrex Eye Drops uses

• Treating eye inflammation caused by allergies, severe acne, iritis, or certain other conditions
• Treating pain and swelling after eye surgery
• Temporary relief of seasonal eye allergy symptoms such as redness, itching, and swelling (allergic conjunctivitis)
• Treating dry eye disease (Eysuvis brand)

Benefits of Alrex Eye Drops

• Reduces redness, itching, and swelling in the eyes caused by seasonal allergies
• Applied directly to the eye where the inflammation is happening
• Can start working within a few hours

How Alrex Eye Drops works

Alrex is a corticosteroid. Scientists don't fully understand exactly how it works in the eye, but it's believed to block certain chemicals that cause inflammation, which lowers swelling, itchiness, and redness.

Alrex Eye Drops dosage

Wash your hands before using the eye drops, and shake the bottle well just before each use since it is a suspension. If you wear soft contact lenses, take them out before using the drops and wait at least 10 to 15 minutes after using before putting them back in, since a preservative in the drops can damage soft contact lenses. Do not wear contact lenses if your eye is red.

Tilt your head back, look up, and gently pull down your lower eyelid to make a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye without letting the tip touch your eye, fingers, or any surface, and squeeze a drop into the pocket. Close your eyes and gently press the inner corner of your eye for about a minute to keep the medicine in. Use only the number of drops your doctor prescribed.

If you use other eye drops or ointments, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying them, and use drops before ointments. This medicine is meant for short-term use; tell your doctor if your symptoms haven't improved after 2 days of treatment. Do not use this medicine for longer than your doctor prescribed. This medicine is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember, but do not use two doses at one time.

Available forms and strengths

• Ophthalmic suspension (eye drops)

Side effects of Alrex Eye Drops

Common

• Minor burning when using the eye drops
• Eye pain or blurred vision
• Dry or watery eyes
• Feeling like something is in your eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Headache
• Runny nose or sore throat
• Eye discharge
• Itchy eyes

Serious

• Pain when using the eye drops
• Worsening redness or itching
• Eye pain or swelling, trouble closing your eye
• Pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes
• Tunnel vision or seeing halos around lights
• Signs of eye infection such as redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage
• Blindness or gradual blurring or loss of vision
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

Do not use Alrex if you have an eye infection, including herpes simplex, or certain untreated fungal, mycobacterial, or most viral eye infections. Avoid use if you are allergic to loteprednol, other corticosteroids, or any ingredient in Alrex. This medicine is for ophthalmic use only.

Prolonged steroid use can increase eye pressure and may cause glaucoma. If used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure should be monitored. Long-term use may also increase the risk of cataracts, and steroids can mask or worsen eye infections and may delay healing. Long-term use can increase the risk of fungal infection of the cornea, particularly with persistent corneal ulcers.

If symptoms do not improve within 2 days, the eye should be re-examined by a healthcare professional. Continued treatment beyond 14 days should only be prescribed after an appropriate eye examination.

A preservative in Alrex can permanently damage or stain soft contact lenses, so do not use the drops while wearing soft contacts. Do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface, as a contaminated dropper can infect your eye and lead to serious vision problems. Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms.

This medicine may cause blurred vision and can affect your reactions. Avoid driving or doing anything that requires clear vision or alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

There is not enough information about how this medicine affects a pregnant person or their unborn baby, so tell your doctor if you are pregnant. There is also not enough information about whether this medicine passes into breast milk or affects a nursing baby, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Storage

• Store this medicine in an upright position at room temperature
• Do not freeze
• Keep the bottle in its box to protect it from light
• Keep all medications away from children and pets
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so
• Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed; consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for guidance

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor right away if you have pain when using the eye drops, worsening redness or itching, eye pain or swelling, trouble closing your eye, pain behind your eyes, sudden vision changes, tunnel vision, seeing halos around lights, or signs of eye infection.

Call your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 2 days of treatment. If someone accidentally swallows this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or contact your local poison control center.

Alternatives

• Lotemax (Loteprednol 0.5%)
• Dexamethasone Eye Drops
• Pred Forte (Prednisolone acetate 1%)