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Nevanac

nepafenac
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain
Used for Eye Inflammation, Eye Pain

Nevanac, also known by its generic name nepafenac 0.1%, is an eye drop medication that's used to relieve pain and inflammation from cataract surgery. This medication is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) eye drop that both adults and children who need cataract surgery can use. The Nevanac (nepafenac) eye drop is placed in the affected eye(s) three times per day for up to 2 weeks after the surgery. Some side effects include changes in vision and feeling like there's something in your eye.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 13, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Nevanac (nepafenac)?

What is Nevanac (nepafenac) used for?

How Nevanac (nepafenac) works

Nevanac (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 Nevanac (nepafenac) is placed into the eye, the medication helps lessen inflammation, pain, and swelling there.

Are you looking for information on Ilevro (nepafenac) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNevanac
Drug ClassNSAID
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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$383.99(save 16.14%)
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$322.02
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What are the side effects of Nevanac (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%)

Other 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

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 vision

decrease in vision

loss of vision

Less common

Eye pain

itching of the eye

swelling and/or redness of the eye and lining of the eyelid

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:

More common

Feeling of having something in the eye

sticky sensation of the eyelids

Less common

Change in color vision

cough

crusting in the corner of the eye

difficulty seeing at night

dizziness

dry eyes

fever

headache

increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

pounding in the ears

seeing flashes or sparks of light

seeing floating spots before the eyes, or a veil or curtain appearing across part of vision

slow or fast heartbeat

stuffy or runny nose

tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

tightness of the chest or wheezing

troubled breathing

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 Nevanac (nepafenac)

thumbs-up

Pros

Majority of people didn't have eye pain the day after surgery

Can use for children as young as 10 years old

thumbs-down

Cons

Need to use three times per day

Might slow down the healing process from surgery

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Nevanac (nepafenac)

pharmacist

  • Use Nevanac (nepafenac) exactly as prescribed. Be sure to start using the eye drops the day before your cataract surgery and also use them on the day of your surgery to help keep eye pain and inflammation from the procedure low. Following your surgery, continue to use Nevanac (nepafenac) every day for 2 weeks (or for as long as your prescriber instructs you to).

    • Wash your hands before and after you put Nevanac (nepafenac) drops in your eye(s). Don't let the dropper tip touch your eye or any other surface, and don't touch the bottle tip with your fingers. This will help prevent eye infections that could happen if you accidentally contaminate the medication with germs.

      • Shake the Nevanac (nepafenac) bottle well. When you're ready, tilt your head back and look up. Then, gently pull your bottom eyelid down with one hand so that a pocket forms. Using the other hand, hold the bottle upside down right above the pocket and squeeze a drop of medication into the eye. Then, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose for 1 minute.

        • If you need to use other eye products in the same eye in addition to Nevanac (nepafenac), be sure to use each eye product at least 5 minutes apart. This lets your eye(s) absorb each medication fully.

          • Take out any contact lenses in your eye(s) before you place the Nevanac (nepafenac) drop in your eye. This medication has a preservative in it that can damage contacts. Your eye specialist might instruct you to wait at least 15 minutes after you use the eye drops to put your lenses back into your eye(s). Your eye specialist might also recommend that you wait until your eye fully heals from the surgery to wear contact lenses again.

            • Keep Nevanac (nepafenac) at a temperature between 36 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the medication from light by keeping the bottle in the medication box that it came in from the pharmacy.

              • Let your care team know if you're pregnant so they can speak with you about the risks and benefits of using Nevanac (nepafenac). NSAIDs aren't recommended while pregnant, so you might need to be prescribed a different medication, especially if you're in the later stage of pregnancy.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Nevanac (nepafenac)

                How many drops are in a bottle of Nevanac (nepafenac)?
                Each bottle of Nevanac (nepafenac) contains 3 mL of medication. And each mL of medication is about 20 drops. So a bottle has about 60 drops. The number of days that a bottle lasts for you depends on whether you're having cataract surgery in only one eye or both eyes. It also depends on how often you miss your eye by mistake when you're trying to place the drop in your eye. Contact a member of your care team if you notice that your Nevanac (nepafenac) bottle is starting to get empty before you've completed your treatment course.
                Is Nevanac (nepafenac) a steroid?
                No, Nevanac (nepafenac) isn't a steroid; it's a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Steroid and NSAID eye drops both lower eye inflammation and pain, but they work differently. You might be prescribed both a steroid and NSAID eye drop to use together after your cataract surgery. If so, be sure to wait at least 5 minutes between each eye drop so that both medications get completely absorbed into the eye.
                Is Nevanac (nepafenac) the same as Prolensa?
                No, Nevanac (nepafenac) isn't the same as bromfenac (Prolensa), but they're similar. The two medications are both NSAID eye drops that are used to treat eye inflammation and pain after cataract surgery. But Nevanac (nepafenac) eye drops are used three times per day, and bromfenac (Prolensa) eye drops are used just once a day. Additionally, bromfenac (Prolensa) is only approved for adults, whereas Nevanac (nepafenac) is approved for people 10 years and older.
                Is ketorolac the same as Nevanac (nepafenac)?
                No. Ketorolac (Acular) and Nevanac (nepafenac) share some similarities, but they're not the same. The two medications are both NSAID eye drops that are used a few times per day to lower eye pain and inflammation from cataract surgery. But some ketorolac eye drops (Acular) can also be used for cornea refractive surgery and others for itchy eyes from allergies. In addition, Nevanac (nepafenac) is used for people ages 10 years and older. On the other hand, ketorolac (Acular) can be used for people aged 2 or 3 years and older, depending on what the medication is used for. Ask your ophthalmologist if you have more questions about the differences between the two medications.
                How long do you use Nevanac (nepafenac) after cataract surgery?
                After cataract surgery, you'll typically need to use Nevanac (nepafenac) for 2 weeks to help relieve eye inflammation and pain from the procedure. Note that it's possible for your ophthalmologist or optometrist to recommend you to use Nevanac (nepafenac) for a different period of time, depending on how much eye inflammation and pain you have. Let your prescriber know if you still have eye inflammation, pain, or redness after you use Nevanac (nepafenac) for the prescribed amount of time.
                Is there a generic for Nevanac (nepafenac)?
                No, there's no generic version of Nevanac (nepafenac) available yet. Nevanac (nepafenac) is currently available by brand name only.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Nevanac (nepafenac)?

                Nevanac (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.

                risk-warning

                Bleeding

                • Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Taking other medications that raise your risk of bleeding

                  Nevanac (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 any concerning redness in the eye, especially if you just had eye surgery.

                  risk-warning

                  Slower healing

                  • Risk factors: Also using corticosteroid eye drops

                    Nevanac (nepafenac) can slow down the healing process, especially if you're also using corticosteroid eye drops like prednisolone to help with eye inflammation even more after cataract surgery. Make sure to go to any scheduled follow-up appointments so your ophthalmologist can check how well your eye is healing from your cataract surgery.

                    risk-warning

                    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 Nevanac (nepafenac) for longer than prescribed

                      Nevanac (nepafenac) can cause inflammation of the cornea, or the outermost, clear layer of the eye — this inflammation is called keratitis. Nevanac (nepafenac) 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 if you've had many eye surgeries within a short period of time. Your risk for these cornea problems might be higher. Contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist as soon as possible if you notice changes in your vision or more eye pain or discomfort. Use Nevanac (nepafenac) exactly as prescribed, and don't use it for longer than prescribed after your cataract surgery.

                      risk-warning

                      Take off contact lenses before placing medication in eye

                      Take your contact lenses out each time before you apply Nevanac (nepafenac) 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 contact lenses again after your cataract surgery.

                      dosage

                      Nevanac (nepafenac) dosage forms

                      The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 3ml of 0.1% of Nevanac (nepafenac) is $322.02 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 16.14% off the average retail price of $383.99.
                      eye dropper
                      Eye dropper
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      3ml of 0.1%1 eye dropper$322.02$322.02

                      Typical dosing for Nevanac (nepafenac)

                      The typical dose is 1 drop into the affected eye(s) three times per day.

                      The eye drops are typically used the day before cataract surgery, on the day of surgery, and for two weeks after the surgery.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Nevanac (nepafenac) and other drugs

                      Nevanac (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 Nevanac (nepafenac). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine 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.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                      How much does Nevanac (nepafenac) cost?

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                      contraindications-icon

                      Nevanac (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 Nevanac (nepafenac) will not be safe for you to take.
                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Nevanac (nepafenac)?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nevanac (nepafenac). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Nevanac (nepafenac)
                      Used for:
                      $322.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Ketorolac eye drop
                      Used for:

                      • Relief of pain or inflammation after cornea refractive surgery in people ages 3 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular LS) 0.4% only

                      • Relief of pain or inflammation after cataract removal in people ages 2 years and older- Ketorolac (Acuvail) 0.45% and ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only

                      • Itchy eyes due to allergies in people ages 2 years and older - Ketorolac (Acular) 0.5% only

                      $10.99 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Bromfenac
                      Used for:
                      $54.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Ahn, J., et al. (2021). Binding affinity of benzalkonium chloride on contact lens surfaces and the effects on their physical properties. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces.

                      Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (2015). Pharmacy auditing and dispensing job aid: Billing other dosage forms.

                      InformedHealth.org. (2022). In brief: Using eye drops properly. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.

                      View All References (4)

                      National Eye Institute. (2023). Vitreous detachment.

                      Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. (2023). Nevanac- nepafenac suspension/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.

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

                      Turbot, D., et al. (2023). What is refractive surgery? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

                      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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