Can I store prednisolone (Pred Forte) in the fridge?

No, prednisolone (Pred Forte) should be kept at room temperature.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and it has only been a few hours, use the drops as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and wait until your next dose. Don't use extra doses to make up for any missed doses.

How do I use prednisolone (Pred Forte)?

Before using the eye drops, wash your hands and shake the bottle well. If you wear contact lenses, they must be taken out of your eyes. Contact lenses can be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Don't put contacts back in if your eyes are in pain, infected, or irritated. Once you put the drops in your eye, keep your eye closed while applying pressure to the inside corner of your eye for about one minute. This will help keep the medication in your eye.

How long do I use prednisolone (Pred Forte)?

In most cases, the drops are not used for more than a week. However, your healthcare provider will counsel you on how long you need to use the eye drops. If you are unsure, check with your healthcare provider.

Can I stop using the prednisolone (Pred Forte) drops suddenly?

If you have been using the eye drops for more than a week, your healthcare provider will give you a schedule on how to lower (or taper) the dose of the medication down. If you stop suddenly, you can have sudden inflammation (swelling) in your eye(s). If you are unsure when or how to stop the medication, it's important to speak with your pharmacist or provider.

prednisolone acetate

Generic Pred Forte

Used for Allergic Conjunctivitis, Eye Infection, Eye Inflammation

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Interactions Cost Alternatives Latest news Images Prices Medicare

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) is a steroid used in the eye. It works well to control allergic reactions and inflammation (swelling) in the eye.

Reviewed by:

Dalga Surofchy, PharmD, APh

Allison Gourley, PharmD

Last reviewed on August 30, 2021

Basics Side effects Pros & cons Pharmacist tips FAQs Warnings Dosage Interactions Cost Alternatives Latest news Images Prices Medicare

What is Prednisolone (Pred Forte)?

What is Prednisolone (Pred Forte) used for?

Eye injury
Swelling or allergies in the eye

How Prednisolone (Pred Forte) works

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) is a corticosteroid used in the eye. These are man-made steroids that are like cortisol, a natural hormone your body makes. These medications work by lowering certain chemicals that normally cause itching, redness, swelling, or pain.

Are you looking for information on prednisolone oral tablets or oral solution instead?

When does Prednisolone (Pred Forte) start working?Time passed since treatment started:

HOURS

Initial effect

DAYS

Full effect

WEEKS

MONTHS

Drug facts

Common Brands

Pred Forte, Pred Mild, Omnipred

Drug ClassCorticosteroid

Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication

Generic StatusLower-cost generic available

AvailabilityPrescription only

Side effects of Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

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

Burning, stinging
Feeling like there's something in your eye
Changes in taste

Less Common Side Effects

Greater pressure in your eyes
More eye infections with long-term use

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Allergic reaction: trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling (on your face, lips, mouth, or throat), peeling skin, rash, hives

When do Prednisolone (Pred Forte) possible side effects begin and end?

Time passed since treatment started:

MMINUTES

HHOURS

DDAYS

WWEEKS

MMONTHS

Burning or stinging in the eyes

Changes in taste

Source: DailyMed

The following Prednisolone (Pred Forte) 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:

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or rare

Decreased vision

eye infection

eye pain

gradual blurring or loss of vision

nausea

vomiting

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

Blurred vision (mild and temporary, occurs after use of ointments)

Less common or rare

Burning, stinging, redness, or watering of the eyes

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.

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Avg retail price

$21.41(Save 17.33%)

GoodRx discount

$17.70

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Pros and cons of Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

Pros

Works in the eye to relieve symptoms without having the side effects of oral steroids
Works quickly to relieve symptoms
Available in generic form

Cons

Depending on the condition, you might have to use the eye drops up to 4 times a day
Long-term use will require your healthcare provider to monitor your eyes more regularly.
Contains sulfite, which is not good for those with allergies to sulfite

Pharmacist tips for Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

If inflammation or pain gets worse or lasts longer than 2 days while taking prednisolone (Pred Forte), talk to your healthcare provider.
Only a small drop is needed per eye. Tilt your head back and place a drop into your lower eyelid, being careful not to touch the bottle tip to your eyelid or other surface. Afterwards, put pressure to the inside corner of your eye for 1 minute so that the medication gets absorbed. Repeat, if needed, in the other eye.
If you're supposed to give yourself multiple drops, wait a few minutes in between each drop.
Shake the bottle well before use. You can store prednisolone (Pred Forte) at room temperature. Don't freeze it.
Temporary burning and stinging in the eye may happen after putting in the drop.
If you are taking prednisolone (Pred Forte) long term, you may need to stop taking this medication slowly over time. Take it exactly as your healthcare provider prescribed and don't stop it suddenly.

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Common questions about Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

Risks and warnings for Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) 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.

Eye Problems

Risk factors: Those with cataracts and/or glaucoma | History of herpes simplex in the eye | Long-term use | Untreated eye infections

Long-term use of prednisolone (Pred Forte) leads to a higher risk of cataracts, glaucoma, certain eye infections, and thinning of the cornea. Don't take prednisolone (Pred Forte) if you have herpes simplex of the eye or any other type of bacterial or viral eye infection. Let your provider know if you have blurry vision, eye pain, or any other vision changes. If you are taking the medication for a long time, you may need to get regular eye exams to check your eye pressure.

Severe Allergic Reactions

Risk factors: Asthma

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) contains sodium bisulfite, a sulfite that might cause allergic-type reactions, ranging from mild reactions to severe, life-threatening episodes. You're at higher risk of an allergic reaction if you have asthma.

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) dosage

The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 5ml of 1% of Prednisolone (Pred Forte) is $17.70 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 17.33% off the average retail price of $21.41.

Eye dropper

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
5ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$17.70	$17.70
15ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$47.24	$47.24
10ml of 1%	1 eye dropper	$33.96	$33.96

Typical dosage for Prednisolone (Pred Forte)

The typical dosing for prednisolone (Pred Forte) is to place 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 times daily. It's important to shake the bottle well before using.

Interactions between Prednisolone (Pred Forte) and other drugs

Prednisolone (Pred Forte) 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 Prednisolone (Pred Forte). 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.