Ocufen

Ocufen is a prescription medication used to prevent and/or reduce pupil constriction that can occur during eye surgery.

Ocufen belongs to a group of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs work by reducing the body's production of chemicals that cause pain and inflammation.

This medication comes in eyedrop form and is typically administered every 30 minutes beginning 2 hours before surgery for a total of 4 doses.

Common side effects of Ocufen include eye burning and/or stinging after instilling drops. 

Ocufen is a prescription medication used to prevent and/or reduce pupil constriction that can occur during eye surgery.

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

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

The recommended dose of Ocufen for the prevention and/or reduction of pupil constriction that can occur during eye surgery is one drop administered every 30 minutes beginning 2 hours before surgery for a total of 4 doses.

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

• increased bleeding time. Consult with your physician if you notice increased bleeding times after you have used Ocufen. 
• increased bleeding of eye tissues. Consult with your physician if you notice eye bleeding after eye surgery. 
• slow or delayed healing. Consult with your physician if you notice slow or delayed wound healing after you have used Ocufen.
• eye infections. Avoid allowing the tip of the Ocufen bottle to contact the eye or surrounding structures because this could cause the tip to become contaminated by common bacteria known to cause ocular infections. Serious damage to the eye and subsequent loss of vision may result from using contaminated solutions.

Do not take Ocufen if you are allergic to Ocufen or to any of its ingredients, aspirin, or any other NSAIDs.

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

Common side effects of Ocufen include:

• temporary burning, stinging, and/or irritation after administration
• a collection of blood inside the front part of the eye

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

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does 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.

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

• acetylcholine chloride
• carbachol

This is not a complete list of Ocufen drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Ocufen falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may 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 Ocufen crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into 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 Ocufen.