bromfenac
Bromfenac, also known by its brand names Prolensa and BromSite, is an eye drop medication. It's a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that relieves eye pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. This medication is approved for adults only. The dosage is typically 1 drop into the affected eye once or twice per day, depending on the strength of the eye drop you have. Side effects are typically related to the eye and can include eye pain and blurry vision.
What is Bromfenac?
What is Bromfenac used for?
- Eye pain and eye inflammation after cataract surgery in adults
How Bromfenac works
Bromfenac is a nonsteroidal 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 bromfenac is placed into the eye, the medication helps lessen eye inflammation, pain, and swelling.
Drug facts
Side effects of Bromfenac
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
- Blurry vision (up to 8%)
- Sensitivity to light (up to 8%)
- Eye pain (up to 8%)
- Feeling like there's something in your eye (up to 8%)
- Inflammation in the front part (anterior chamber) of the eye (up to 8%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Other eye irritation
Bromfenac serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: hives; rash; blisters; swelling around the eye; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; difficulty breathing
More on Bromfenac side effects
The following Bromfenac 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
red, sore eyes
sensitivity to light
tearing
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
Abnormal sensation in the eye
burning or stinging of the eye
feeling of having something in the eye
headache
itching 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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Pros and cons of Bromfenac
Pharmacist tips for Bromfenac
- Be sure to start bromfenac a day before your cataract surgery to help keep eye pain and inflammation from the procedure low. Then after your surgery, continue to use the eye drops every day for 2 weeks.
- Make sure you know how to place the bromfenac drops into your eye. Ask your eye specialist or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Wash your hands before you put bromfenac drops in your eye(s). Also don't touch the dropper tip with your hands and don't let the tip touch your eye or any other surface. This helps prevent getting germs in your eye and eye infections.
- When you're ready, tilt your head back and look up. Gently pull your bottom eyelid down with one hand to form a pocket. With 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 a finger on the inner corner of your eye by the nose. This keeps the medication in your eye instead of into your tear duct and into the nose.
- If you need to use more than one eye medication in the same eye, use each eye medication at least 5 minutes apart. This makes sure your eye absorbs each medication fully.
- Take out any contact lenses in your eye(s) before you place a bromfenac drop in the eye. 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).
- Keep bromfenac eye drops at a temperature between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect the medication from light by placing the bottle in its box when you're not using it.
Common questions about Bromfenac
Yes, blurry vision is one of the possible side effects of using bromfenac eye drops. Other eye-related side effects include sensitivity to light, eye pain, and feeling like there's something in your eye. Because bromfenac can affect your vision in many ways, make sure you know how the medication affects your eyesight before you drive or operate any heavy machinery.
After cataract surgery, you should use bromfenac every day for up to 2 weeks. Follow your eye specialist's instructions if they told you something different. Let your prescriber know if you're still having inflammation, pain, or redness in your eye(s) after you've used bromfenac for the prescribed amount of time. The eye specialist can examine your eye(s) to make sure everything is okay.
Prolensa isn't the same as BromSite, but they're similar. Prolensa and BromSite are two brand-name eye drop medications that contain bromfenac as the active ingredient. But the strength of each brand name slightly differs. Prolensa is bromfenac 0.07%, and BromSite is bromfenac 0.075%. How often you need to use each medication is also different. You need to use Prolensa once per day, but you use BromSite twice per day. Talk to an eye specialist about more comparisons between Prolensa and BromSite.
No. Ilevro and Prolensa aren't the same thing. But they're both NSAID eye drops that are used to relieve eye pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. Ilevro contains the NSAID called nepafenac, and Prolensa contains the NSAID bromfenac. In addition, Ilevro can be used for children as young as 10 years old whereas Prolensa is only approved for adults. Ask your eye specialist if you have specific questions on the differences between both medications.
Both Prolensa (also known as bromfenac) and ketorolac eye drops are NSAID medications that are used to relieve eye pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. But certain strengths of ketorolac eye drops can also be used for relieving itchy eyes due to allergies. In addition, ketorolac eye drops can be used in children as young as 2 or 3 years old whereas Prolensa is only approved in adults. An advantage that Prolensa has is that it's used once per day whereas ketorolac eye drops typically need to be used multiple times per day. Speak with an eye specialist for more information about comparisons between Prolensa and ketorolac eye drops.
Some strengths of the bromfenac eye drops contain sulfite, which isn't the same as sulfa. So it's probably not a problem for someone with a sulfa allergy to use bromfenac. But to be safe, be sure to let your prescriber know if you're allergic to sulfa.
No. You can place bromfenac at room temperature (between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Let your care team know if you're pregnant so they can speak with you about the risks and benefits of using bromfenac. NSAID medications like bromfenac 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.
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Risks and warnings for Bromfenac
Bromfenac 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.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Asthma | Allergy to sulfite
Certain strengths of bromfenac can contain sulfite. Don't use bromfenac if you're allergic or sensitive to sulfites. Keep in mind that people with asthma are more likely to be sensitive to sulfite.
Let your prescriber know if you've ever had a reaction to aspirin or other NSAIDs. It's possible that you might have a similar reaction to bromfenac.
Stop using bromfenac and get medical help right away if you have an allergic reaction to the medication, including rash, hives, or swelling around the eye or face.
Slower healing
- Risk factors: Also using steroid eye drops
Using bromfenac eye drops can slow down the healing process. You might have more problems with healing if you're also using steroid eye drops, such as prednisolone (Pred Forte) or loteprednol (Lotemax). Speak with your eye specialist if you're concerned about the progress of your healing.
Bleeding in the eye
- Risk factors: History of bleeding problems | Taking other medications that raise your risk of bleeding
Bromfenac can raise your risk of bleeding in the eye tissue 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 prescriber if you notice blood spots on your eye, especially if you've just had eye surgery.
Problems in the cornea
- Risk factors: History of problems with the cornea | Dry eye | Multiple eye surgeries | Complicated eye surgery | Rheumatoid arthritis | Diabetes | Using bromfenac for a long time
Bromfenac eye drops can cause problems in the cornea, or the outermost, clear layer of the eye. These problems can include inflammation (called keratitis), thinning, injury, or ulcers. They might affect your eyesight. Let your prescriber know if you've had cornea problems or multiple eye surgeries in the past so they can check your risk level.
Use bromfenac exactly as prescribed. Don't use it for longer than prescribed before or after surgery to minimize the risk for cornea problems. Contact your optometrist or ophthalmologist right away if you notice changes in your vision or more eye pain or discomfort.
Don't wear contact lenses when placing bromfenac drops into the eye
Bromfenac eye drops contain a preservative that can damage contact lenses. If you wear contact lenses, take them out each time before you place bromfenac drops into your eye(s). You'll need to wait at least 10 minutes before you put your contacts back in.
Bromfenac dosage
Eye dropper| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7ml of 0.09% | 1 eye dropper | $37.22 | $37.22 |
| 3ml of 0.07% | 1 eye dropper | $45.55 | $45.55 |
| 5ml of 0.075% | 1 eye dropper | $70.80 | $70.80 |
Typical dosage for Bromfenac
-
Bromfenac 0.07% (Prolensa) and bromfenac 0.09%: The typical dose is 1 drop into the affected eye once a day, starting the day before surgery and continuing for 2 weeks after the surgery.
-
Bromfenac 0.075% (BromSite): The typical dose is 1 drop into the affected eye twice per day, starting the day before surgery and continuing for 2 weeks after the surgery.
Interactions between Bromfenac and other drugs
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 this medicine, 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 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.
- Abciximab
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acenocoumarol
- Amiloride
- Amineptine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Apixaban
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Balsalazide
- Bemiparin
- Bendroflumethiazide
- Benzthiazide
- Betamethasone
- Betrixaban
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bivalirudin
- Budesonide
- Bufexamac
- Bumetanide
- Cangrelor
- Celecoxib
- Certoparin
- Chlorothiazide
- Chlorthalidone
- Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clomipramine
- Clonixin
- Clopamide
- Clopidogrel
- Cortisone
- Cyclopenthiazide
- Cyclosporine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Deflazacort
- Desipramine
- Desirudin
- Desmopressin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexamethasone
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diazoxide
- Dibenzepin
- Diflunisal
- Digoxin
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Dothiepin
- Doxepin
- Droxicam
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Enoxaparin
- Eplerenone
- Epoprostenol
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Ethacrynic Acid
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Feverfew
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluocortolone
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Furosemide
- Ginkgo
- Gossypol
- Heparin
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroflumethiazide
- Ibuprofen
- Iloprost
- Imipramine
- Indapamide
- Inotersen
- Ketoprofen
- Lepirudin
- Levomilnacipran
- Lithium
- Lofepramine
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Magnesium Salicylate
- Meadowsweet
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Melitracen
- Meloxicam
- Mesalamine
- Methotrexate
- Methyclothiazide
- Methylprednisolone
- Metolazone
- Milnacipran
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Nadroparin
- Naproxen
- Nefazodone
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nortriptyline
- Olsalazine
- Opipramol
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Paramethasone
- Parecoxib
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Pemetrexed
- Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium
- Pentoxifylline
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenyl Salicylate
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Polythiazide
- Prasugrel
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Protein C
- Protriptyline
- Reboxetine
- Reviparin
- Rivaroxaban
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylamide
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- Sodium Salicylate
- Spironolactone
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulindac
- Tacrolimus
- Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate
- Tenoxicam
- Tianeptine
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tirofiban
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Torsemide
- Trazodone
- Treprostinil
- Triamterene
- Trichlormethiazide
- Trimipramine
- Trolamine Salicylate
- Valdecoxib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilazodone
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
- Xipamide
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.
- Acebutolol
- Alacepril
- Anisindione
- Atenolol
- Azilsartan
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Benazepril
- Betaxolol
- Bisoprolol
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Captopril
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Dicumarol
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Eprosartan
- Esmolol
- Fosinopril
- Irbesartan
- Labetalol
- Levobunolol
- Lisinopril
- Losartan
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Moexipril
- Nadolol
- Nebivolol
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Oxprenolol
- Penbutolol
- Perindopril Erbumine
- Pindolol
- Practolol
- Propranolol
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Sotalol
- Spirapril
- Telmisartan
- Timolol
- Trandolapril
- Valsartan
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