Key takeaways
Lastacaft (alcaftadine) and loteprednol (Lotemax) are both eye medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Lastacaft is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer used to treat eye itching and redness due to allergies. It’s available over-the-counter and is typically used once daily. In contrast, loteprednol is a corticosteroid used to treat a variety of eye conditions, including dry eye disease, inflammation, and post-surgery pain. Loteprednol requires a prescription and may need to be used multiple times a day, depending on the condition being treated. While Lastacaft is only available as a brand medication, loteprednol 0.5% gel and suspension are available as generics. Additionally, loteprednol carries more serious risks, such as high eye pressure and cataracts, especially with long-term use, whereas Lastacaft's common side effects are generally limited to eye irritation and redness.
