Lotemax Gel vs. Drops: How Do They Compare for Eye Inflammation and Pain?
Key takeaways:
Lotemax gel, eye drops, and ointment are medications that contain loteprednol, a type of corticosteroid. They help relieve inflammation and pain after eye surgery.
Lotemax eye drops are also approved to treat other eye conditions. They’re used for conditions like eye inflammation from shingles, dry eye disease, and more.
Compared to Lotemax eye drops, the gel may be easier and more tolerable to use. However, the eye drops are generally more affordable.
There are several ways to save on both forms of Lotemax. GoodRx can help you access brand-name Lotemax products at an exclusive cash price of $80. A manufacturer copay card is also available.
Table of contents
If you’ve had eye surgery, you understand what the recovery process feels like. In many cases, your healthcare provider may give you one or more medications to help ease the pain and discomfort you may be experiencing. And even if you haven’t had eye surgery, you may have had eye discomfort from dry eye, itchy eyes, or seasonal allergies.
Some of the most common medications for providing quick relief from eye-related inflammation and pain are corticosteroids (“steroids”). The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends steroids as a first-choice option for controlling inflammation from eye surgery and other eye-related health conditions.
One common steroid used to relieve eye inflammation and pain is Lotemax (loteprednol etabonate). A prescription-only medication, Lotemax comes in several different forms — eye drops, gels, and an ointment — but they aren’t all the same.
What is Lotemax gel?
Lotemax ophthalmic gel and Lotemax SM are gel-based eye medications. They’re approved to treat inflammation (swelling, redness, and itching) and pain after eye surgery. They both contain the same active ingredient, loteprednol, and function just like an eye drop when you apply them. They work by blocking chemicals in your eye that cause inflammation and pain.
Lotemax gel is a standard eye gel. Lotemax SM is also a gel, but it contains small particles called submicrons (SM). SMs are small, microscopic beads that contain the medication’s active ingredient, loteprednol.
Compared to the standard gel, Lotemax SM absorbs more efficiently into your eye. While Lotemax gel is available as a 0.5% gel, Lotemax SM doesn't need as high of a dose strength since it's better absorbed. It's available as a 0.38% gel.
What are the benefits of Lotemax gel?
There are a few potential benefits of Lotemax gels. Tolerability and convenience are a couple of the main ones.
Some data suggests that gels are easier to tolerate than eye drops. Gels are thicker than eye drops, so they can provide a more consistent dose in every drop. This means they can “stick” to your eye better, so they may cause less blurriness. Lotemax gels also have a lower concentration of the common preservative benzalkonium chloride than the eye drops. Preservatives can be irritating to the eye.
However, know that none of the Lotemax formulations have been directly compared to each other in clinical studies. Your healthcare provider can help you choose the best Lotemax formulation for your situation.
Dosing is another possible benefit. Lotemax SM is dosed 3 times a day, but the other formulations, including the standard gel, are dosed 4 times a day. All formulations are usually used for about 2 weeks after eye surgery.
What are the side effects of Lotemax gel?
Lotemax gel has a few potential side effects to keep in mind. Some of the most common side effects in clinical trials were eye inflammation, feeling like there’s something in your eye, and eye pain.
Although rare, more serious side effects were also reported. These include a higher risk of infection, cataracts, and glaucoma. There’s also a chance for delayed healing time. If you’re experiencing a side effect that feels severe or worrisome, contact your healthcare provider right away.
What are Lotemax eye drops?
Lotemax eye drops (eye suspension) are another version of loteprednol. The eye drops are approved to treat inflammation and pain from eye surgery, but they’re also approved for more uses. Some of these additional uses are:
Eye inflammation due to seasonal allergies
Rosacea
Cornea inflammation and damage
Eye inflammation caused by shingles
Iris inflammation
Inflammation of the cilia
Dry eye disease
Lotemax eye drops are available as a suspension in a 0.5% strength. Because of how Lotemax eye drops are made, you’ll need to shake the bottle vigorously before each use.
What are the benefits of Lotemax eye drops?
The main benefits of Lotemax eye drops are affordability and versatility. Lotemax eye drops have been around for longer than the gels, so they’re generally a cheaper option. Lotemax eye drops are also approved to treat more eye conditions than the Lotemax gels and ointment.
What are the side effects of Lotemax eye drops?
In general, Lotemax eye drops are well-tolerated, but you may still experience some side effects. The most commonly reported side effects were:
Blurry vision
Producing more tears than usual
Feeling like something’s in your eye
Itchy eyes
Sensitivity to light
Dry eye
Burning sensation of the eyes
Eye discharge
Eye pain
Serious side effects are rare, but have been reported. Glaucoma, cataracts, and corneal thinning are possible. There’s also a higher risk for infection and delayed healing time. If you experience any of these side effects, reach out to your healthcare provider right away.
Can Lotemax gel and eye drops be used interchangeably?
No. Even though the formulations are similar to one another, they’re not interchangeable. For reasons mentioned above, your healthcare provider may decide to prescribe one version over the other. Your pharmacist can’t substitute one product for the other, either.
What about Lotemax eye ointment?
Lotemax ophthalmic ointment is another version of loteprednol. It’s different from the gels and eye drops. It’s approved to treat inflammation and pain after eye surgery, and it’s usually placed into your lower eye 4 times daily. The Lotemax ointment is the only version of loteprednol that doesn’t have preservatives, which helps prevent some side effects.
Still, common side effects are mild eye inflammation, pain, and redness. More serious side effects are also possible, but they’re similar to the risks seen in Lotemax gels and eye drops.
Is there an advantage to using one Lotemax form over another?
In general, no. Your healthcare provider will determine the best option for you depending on various factors, such as the condition that’s being treated, dosing frequency, and expected side effects. Cost and accessibility can also be a factor.
Are there any other brand-name versions of loteprednol?
Yes. Other brand-name versions of loteprednol include Inveltys, Eysuvis, and Alrex. These are all eye drops that are comparable to Lotemax eye drops, but each one is unique.
Inveltys is only approved to treat inflammation and pain from eye surgery. It’s not approved to treat other eye conditions. However, it’s used twice daily, not 4 times daily.
The other two are a bit different. Eysuvis is used 4 times daily, but it only treats dry eye disease. Alrex is also used 4 times daily, but it only treats symptoms of seasonal allergies.
How much does Lotemax cost?
There are ways to save on Lotemax, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase brand-name Lotemax gel, drops, or ointment at an exclusive cash price of $80.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 per month for brand-name Lotemax using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Lotemax is a prescription medication that’s used to relieve inflammation and pain after eye surgery. Lotemax is available as a gel, eye drop, and ointment, and each one has its own pros and cons. The differences between them are specific in nature, so your healthcare provider can help you choose the best product for you. If you have questions about Lotemax, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider.
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References
Akorn. (2022). Loteprednol etabonate drops [package insert].
Akorn. (2022). Loteprednol etabonate gel [package insert].
Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (2022). Eysuvis [package insert].
Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (2022). Inveltys [package insert].
Bausch + Lomb Inc. (2020). Lotemax ointment [package insert].
Bausch + Lomb Inc. (2020). Lotemax SM [package insert].
Bausch + Lomb Inc. (2022). Alrex [package insert].
Kang, C., et al. (2020). Loteprednol etabonate (Submicron) ophthalmic gel 0.38%: A review in post-operative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery. Clinical Drug Investigation.
Pirouzian, A., et al. (2014). Critical appraisal of loteprednol ointment, gel, and suspension in the treatment of postoperative inflammation and pain following ocular and corneal transplant surgery. Clinical Ophthalmology.
Weiner, G. (2013). Savvy steroid use. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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