NSAID Eye Drops: 5 Options for Treating Eye Pain and Swelling
NSAID eye drops are often used to treat inflammation or relieve pain. Learn more about prescription NSAID eye drops from GoodRx.
Ilevro
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain
Ilevro, also known by its generic name nepafenac 0.3%, is an eye drop medication that adults and children can use to relieve pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. This medication is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The Ilevro (nepafenac) eye drop is placed in the eye(s) once per day, typically for up to 2 weeks after the surgery. Possible side effects include cloudiness in the eye and changes in vision.
What is Ilevro (nepafenac)?
What is Ilevro (nepafenac) used for?
- Relief of eye pain and inflammation after cataract removal surgery for people ages 10 years and older
How Ilevro (nepafenac) works
Ilevro (nepafenac) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that's given as an eye drop. The medication works by blocking a protein that plays a role in causing inflammation called cyclooxygenase (COX). When Ilevro (nepafenac) is placed into the eye, the medication helps lessen inflammation, pain, and swelling there.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Ilevro |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | NSAID |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Ilevro (nepafenac)
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
- Cloudiness in the eye (up to 10%)
- Worse vision (up to 10%)
- Feeling like there's something in your eye (up to 10%)
- High eye pressure (up to 10%)
- Eyes feel sticky (up to 10%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Eye swelling
- Dry eye
- Eyelid crusting
- Eye discomfort
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Eye itching
- Eye sensitivity to light
- Watery eye
- Eye injury (vitreous detachment)
- Headache
The following Ilevro (nepafenac) 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Bleeding in the eye or redness or swelling of the eye or the eyelid (not present before you started using this medicine or becoming worse while you are using this medicine)
blurred vision or other change in vision
fever or chills
itching or tearing
nausea or vomiting
sensitivity to light
shortness of breath
sticky or matted eyelashes
swelling of face
throbbing pain
tightness in chest
troubled breathing
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 or rare
Bigger or smaller pupils (black part of eye)
headache
trouble in sleeping
runny or stuffy nose
unusual weakness
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$450.99
Manufacturer exclusive discount
$149.00
Pros and cons of Ilevro (nepafenac)
Pros
- Works well to lower pain and inflammation after 2 weeks of treatment for most people
- Used just once daily
- Can use for children as young as 10 years old
Cons
- Not for treating inflammation due to other types of eye surgeries or allergies
- Might slow the healing process from surgery
- No lower-cost generic available; brand name only
Pharmacist tips for Ilevro (nepafenac)
- Take Ilevro (nepafenac) exactly as prescribed. Make sure you know when to start Ilevro (nepafenac) before your cataract surgery to help keep eye pain and inflammation from the procedure low. Following your surgery, you'll continue to use the eye drops every day for 2 weeks (or longer if instructed by your prescriber, depending on your risk for eye pain and inflammation).
- Carefully review how to apply the Ilevro (nepafenac) eye drops. Contact your ophthalmologist or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Wash your hands before you put Ilevro (nepafenac) 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 will help you avoid eye infections by preventing the medication from getting contaminated with germs.
- Shake the Ilevro (nepafenac) bottle well before you remove the cap. When you're ready, tilt your head back and look up. Gently pull your bottom eyelid down with one hand to form a pocket. Using the other hand, hold the bottle upside down right above this pocket and squeeze 1 drop into the eye. Afterwards, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose lightly for 1 minute.
- If you need to use multiple different eye products in the same eye, use each eye product at least 5 minutes apart. This makes sure your eye(s) absorb each medication fully.
- Take out any contact lenses in your eye(s) before you use Ilevro (nepafenac). This medication has a preservative in it that can damage the contacts. Your ophthalmologist might instruct you to wait at least 15 minutes before you put your lenses back into your eye(s). Your ophthalmologist might also recommend that you take a longer break from wearing contacts to let your eye fully heal from the surgery.
- Store Ilevro (nepafenac) at temperatures between 36 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the bottle in the box to protect the medication from light.
- Tell your healthcare team if you're pregnant. Your healthcare team will discuss with you about the risks and benefits of taking this medication during pregnancy. You might need to avoid taking Ilevro (nepafenac), especially if you're late in your pregnancy, because of the risk of harm with NSAID use.
Risks and warnings for Ilevro (nepafenac)
Ilevro (nepafenac) 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.
Bleeding
- Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Taking other medications that raise your risk of bleeding
Ilevro (nepafenac) can raise your risk of bleeding after eye surgery. Let your prescriber know if you have a history of bleeding problems or if you take any medications that can make you more likely to bleed, such as blood thinners. Call your ophthalmologist if you notice blood spots on your eye or unusual redness in the eye, especially if you just had eye surgery.
Slower healing
- Risk factors: Also using corticosteroid eye drops
Ilevro (nepafenac) can slow down the healing process, especially if you're also using corticosteroid eye drops like prednisolone to also help with eye inflammation after cataract surgery. Make sure to attend any scheduled follow-up appointments so your ophthalmologist can check the progress of your healing from your cataract surgery.
Cornea problems
- Risk factors: History of problems with the cornea or surface of the eye | Dry eye | Many eye surgeries within a short period of time | Rheumatoid arthritis | Diabetes | Using Ilevro (nepafenac) for longer than prescribed
Ilevro (nepafenac) can cause inflammation of the cornea, or the outermost, clear layer of the eye — this inflammation is called keratitis. The medication can also damage the cornea. These problems can affect your eyesight.
Let your ophthalmologist know if you've had problems with your cornea before or have had many eye surgeries within a short period of time. You might be at greater risk for these cornea problems. Contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away if you notice changes in your vision or more eye pain or discomfort. Use Ilevro (nepafenac) exactly as prescribed, and don't use it for longer than prescribed after your surgery.
Take off contact lenses before placing medication in eye
Take out your contact lenses each time before you place Ilevro (nepafenac) drops into your eye(s) if you wear contacts. This medication contains a preservative called benzalkonium chloride, which can damage contacts. Ask your ophthalmologist when it's safe for you to wear contacts again after your surgery.
Ilevro (nepafenac) dosage
The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 3ml of 0.3% of Ilevro (nepafenac) is $149.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 66.96% off the average retail price of $450.99.
Interactions between Ilevro (nepafenac) and other drugs
Ilevro (nepafenac) 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 Ilevro (nepafenac). 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. When you are taking any of these medicines, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Aspirin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Pentoxifylline
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Valdecoxib
Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abciximab
- Acenocoumarol
- Anagrelide
- Apixaban
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Bemiparin
- Betamethasone
- Bivalirudin
- Budesonide
- Cangrelor
- Certoparin
- Cilostazol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clopidogrel
- Cortisone
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Deflazacort
- Desirudin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexamethasone
- Dipyridamole
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Enoxaparin
- Epoprostenol
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Feverfew
- Fluocortolone
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Ginkgo
- Heparin
- Hydrocortisone
- Iloprost
- Lepirudin
- Levomilnacipran
- Meadowsweet
- Methotrexate
- Methylprednisolone
- Milnacipran
- Nadroparin
- Nefazodone
- Paramethasone
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Prasugrel
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Protein C
- Reboxetine
- Reviparin
- Rivaroxaban
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Treprostinil
- Venlafaxine
- Vilazodone
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
How much does Ilevro (nepafenac) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Ilevro (brand)
$149.00
Ilevro (nepafenac) 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 Ilevro (nepafenac) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to nepafenac or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
What are alternatives to Ilevro (nepafenac)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Ilevro (nepafenac). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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