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Difluprednate Coupon - Difluprednate 5ml of 0.05% eye dropper

difluprednate

Generic Durezol
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain

Difluprednate 0.05% eye drops, also known by its brand name Durezol, is a prescription corticosteroid that's used to treat eye inflammation. It's approved for adults and children who've just had eye surgery or who have anterior uveitis. The drops are placed directly in the eye(s) 4 times per day for at least 2 weeks. After this time, your prescriber will slowly lower your dose until it's safe to stop the medication altogether. Typical side effects include swelling in the front of the eye and light sensitivity. Difluprednate (Durezol) is available as a generic.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on January 2, 2025
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Difluprednate (Durezol)?

What is Difluprednate (Durezol) used for?

How Difluprednate (Durezol) works

Difluprednate (Durezol) is a corticosteroid medication. When it's applied directly into your eyes, it lowers inflammation in the eye to help treat eye swelling, pain, and redness.

When does Difluprednate (Durezol) start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsDurezol
Drug ClassCorticosteroid
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$174.540
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What are the side effects of Difluprednate (Durezol)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Changes in the sharpness of your vision
  • Eye itching
  • Eyelid irritation
  • Crusting on the eyelids

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling in the face, tongue, or throat

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Blurred vision

change in color vision

decreased vision or other changes in vision

difficulty seeing at night

eye discomfort

eye pain

eye redness

increase in blood flow to the whites of the eyes

increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

painful irritation of the front clear part of the eye

sensitivity of the eyes to light

swelling or redness of the eye and lining of the eyelid

Less common

Eyelid irritation and crusting

tearing

throbbing eye pain

watering of the eyes

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Dry eyes

Rare

Burning, itching, or soreness of the eye

feeling of having something in the eye

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Difluprednate (Durezol)

thumbs-up

Pros

Works well to lessen eye inflammation and eye pain

Few side effects since the medication is placed directly into the eyes

Approved for people of all ages

thumbs-down

Cons

Need to use four times a day

Can't use if you have an eye infection

Might be difficult for some people to use correctly

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Difluprednate (Durezol)

pharmacist

  • Be sure to start using difluprednate (Durezol) a day after your eye surgery to help treat eye pain and inflammation from the procedure. Following your surgery, you'll continue to use the eye drops every day for at least 2 weeks. Then, your prescriber will give you specific instructions on how to slowly lower your dose until it's safe to completely stop the medication.

    • Let your prescriber know if your eye symptoms don't start to improve after you've used difluprednate (Durezol) for a few days. They might consider a different medication to help relieve your symptoms.

      • Keep difluprednate (Durezol) at a temperature between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the medication from light by keeping the bottle in the medication box that you got from the pharmacy.

        How to use difluprednate (Durezol):

        • Make sure you know how to place the difluprednate (Durezol) drops in your eye. Ask your ophthalmologist or pharmacist if you have any questions.

          • Take out any contact lenses in your eye(s) before you use difluprednate (Durezol). This medication has a preservative in it that can damage the contacts. Wait at least 10 minutes before you put your lenses back into your eye(s).

            • Wash your hands before you put difluprednate (Durezol) drops in your eye(s). Don't touch the dropper tip with your hands, and don't let the tip touch your eye or any other surface. This lowers the risk for eye infections by keeping the medication from getting contaminated with germs. Your eye specialist might prescribe two bottles of difluprednate (Durezol), one for each eye, to lower the risk of contamination.

              • Tilt your head backward and look up. Gently pull your bottom eyelid down to make a small pocket. Then, hold the difluprednate (Durezol) bottle upside down right above the eye. Squeeze the bottle so that 1 drop of medication falls into the pocket. Close your eye and press a finger against the inside corner of your eye for about a minute to help keep the medication in your eye.

                • If you need to use other eye drop medications in addition to difluprednate (Durezol), wait at least 5 minutes between using each medication. This helps give your eye time to fully absorb each medication.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Difluprednate (Durezol)

                  Is difluprednate (Durezol) a steroid?
                  Yes, difluprednate (Durezol) is a steroid medication. It lessens inflammation in the eye. It's helpful for managing symptoms after eye surgery.
                  Is difluprednate (Durezol) an antibiotic?
                  No, difluprednate (Durezol) isn't an antibiotic. It's a steroid that's used to lessen inflammation in the eye. It doesn't work to get rid of germs that cause an eye infection. If you've been prescribed difluprednate (Durezol) and you think you've developed an eye infection (e.g., pink eye), let your eye specialist know right away. You might need to be prescribed an antibiotic eye drop to use along with difluprednate (Durezol). Or, you might need to stop using difluprednate (Durezol) since steroids weaken the immune system and put you at risk for eye infection.
                  Are difluprednate (Durezol) and prednisolone eye drops the same?
                  No, difluprednate (Durezol) and prednisolone eye drops (Pred Forte) aren't the same, but they're similar. Both medications are steroid eye drops that help treat eye inflammation. Difluprednate (Durezol) is used 4 times per day, whereas prednisolone eye drops are used 2 to 4 times per day. Studies show that difluprednate (Durezol) might work better than prednisolone eye drops at lessening eye inflammation after cataract surgery. Talk to your eye specialist if you have questions about comparing between both medications.
                  Does difluprednate (Durezol) dilate eyes?
                  No, difluprednate (Durezol) doesn't typically dilate (or widen) the pupils in your eyes. If you're having an eye procedure that your eyes need to be dilated for, your eye specialist will place a different medication in your eye for this purpose during your appointment.
                  How long can you use difluprednate eye drops (Durezol)?
                  In general, difluprednate (Durezol) is used for 2 weeks at the full dose. But then afterwards, your prescriber will slowly lower the dose over a certain period of time to help prevent steroid withdrawal (e.g., eye irritation). Your prescriber will decide how long you should use difluprednate (Durezol) based on your eye condition and your risk factors for steroid withdrawal. Contact a member of your care team if you're not sure how long you should be using difluprednate (Durezol).
                  What are alternatives to difluprednate (Durezol)?
                  There are many steroid eye drop medications available that can be considered instead of difluprednate (Durezol) to help with eye inflammation. Examples include loteprednol (Lotemax), dexamethasone (Maxidex), and prednisolone acetate (Pred Forte). Speak with your eye specialist about your options if you're looking for an alternative to difluprednate (Durezol). These alternatives all require a new prescription.
                  Does difluprednate (Durezol) have a generic?
                  Yes. Difluprednate (Durezol) is available as a generic.
                  Can you use difluprednate (Durezol) while pregnant?
                  Let your care team know if you're pregnant so they can speak with you about the risks and benefits of using difluprednate (Durezol). It's not clear how safe it is to use difluprednate (Durezol) during pregnancy, so it's typically not recommended while pregnant. You might need a different eye drop medication to safely treat your eye inflammation.
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Difluprednate (Durezol)?

                  Difluprednate (Durezol) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  For use in the eye only

                  Difluprednate (Durezol) is an eye drop medication that you should place onto the surface of the eye only. Don't put difluprednate (Durezol) on or into any other place on your body.

                  risk-warning

                  Possible eye infections and eye problems when used for a long time

                  • Risk factors: Long-term use | History of glaucoma or cataracts | History of viral infections (including herpes simplex) in the eye | Recent cataract surgery

                    Long-term use of difluprednate (Durezol) can raise your risk of developing new or worsening eye infections. It also raises your risk for eye problems, like glaucoma, cataracts, other eye damage, and vision problems.

                    If you need to take difluprednate (Durezol) for 10 days or longer, you'll need regular eye exams to check the health of your eyes. Tell your prescriber if you have any vision changes, eye pain, or new symptoms of an eye infection while you're using this medication.

                    risk-warning

                    Slow healing of the eye after an eye procedure

                    Using steroid eye drops like difluprednate (Durezol) after eye surgery can slow down the healing process in the eye. Let your prescriber know if you've recently had cataract surgery or other type of eye surgery.

                    risk-warning

                    Damage to contact lenses

                    Difluprednate (Durezol) contains a preservative that can get absorbed into soft contact lenses and damage them. If your prescriber said you can wear contact lenses during treatment, take the contacts out before you use the eye drops. Wait at least 10 minutes after you use difluprednate (Durezol) before you put your contact lens back into your eye(s).

                    dosage

                    Difluprednate (Durezol) dosage forms

                    The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 5ml of 0.05% of Difluprednate (Durezol) is $221.38 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 17.99% off the average retail price of $269.94.
                    eye dropper
                    Eye dropper
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    5ml of 0.05%1 eye dropper$221.38$221.38

                    Typical dosing for Difluprednate (Durezol)

                    • Eye inflammation and pain from eye surgery: The typical starting dose is 1 drop into the affected eye 4 times a day starting 24 hours after surgery and continuing for 2 weeks. Then, the dose is typically lowered to 1 drop twice a day for a week. Your prescriber will give you further instructions depending on how your eye recovers.

                    • Endogenous anterior uveitis: The typical starting dose is 1 drop into the affected eye 4 times a day for 2 weeks. After that, your prescriber might lower your dose slowly, depending on your symptoms.

                    interactions

                    Interactions between Difluprednate (Durezol) and other drugs

                    Difluprednate (Durezol) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Difluprednate (Durezol). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                    Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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                    How much does Difluprednate (Durezol) cost?

                    To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                    Durezol (brand)
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                    $221.38

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                    Difluprednate (Durezol) (generic)
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                    $174.54

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                    contraindications-icon

                    Difluprednate (Durezol) contraindications

                    Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Difluprednate (Durezol) will not be safe for you to take.

                    • Bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in the eye

                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Difluprednate (Durezol)?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Difluprednate (Durezol). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Difluprednate (Durezol)
                    Used for:
                    $174.54 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Prednisolone (Pred Forte)
                    Used for:

                    • Eye injury

                    • Swelling or allergies in the eye

                    $20.61 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Dexamethasone (Maxidex)
                    Used for:
                    $80.13 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    images

                    Difluprednate (Durezol) images

                    white - Difluprednate 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion
                    This medicine is White Eye Dropper.white - Difluprednate 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion
                    white - Difluprednate 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion
                    This medicine is White Eye Dropper.white - Difluprednate 0.05% Ophthalmic Emulsion

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2024). Tips for administering eye drops.

                    American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Anterior uveitis.

                    Caplin Steriles Limited. (2024). Difluprednate emulsion [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    View All References (2)

                    KhalafAllah, M. T., et al. (2019). Difluprednate versus prednisolone acetate after cataract surgery: A systemic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal Open.

                    SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.

                    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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