What is Loteprednol etabonate?

Loteprednol (as the ester loteprednol etabonate) is a corticosteroid used to treat inflammations of the eye. It is marketed by Bausch and Lomb as Lotemax.

Functions

 Common adverse effects include foreign body sensation in the eye, dry eye and epiphora (overflow of tears), chemosis (swelling of the conjunctiva), headache, and itching. Increased intraocular pressure (IOP), a side effect typical of corticosteroids, occurs in about 2% of patients (compared to 7% under prednisolone acetate, an older anti-inflammatory agent which is prescribed after eye surgery, and 0.5% under placebo). Loteprednol is also far less likely to cause elevated IOP compared to dexamethasone.

Loteprednol etabonate is used for the treatment of inflammation of the eye due to allergies,as well as chronic forms of keratitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, pingueculitis, and episcleritis.