If you have eye pain or inflammation from surgery or certain conditions, your doctor might suggest Lotemax as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery in adults and some children. It’s also used to treat some inflammatory conditions of the eye in adults.

Lotemax comes in different forms to treat eye pain and inflammation after surgery.

  • Lotemax 0.5% eye ointment
  • Lotemax 0.5% gel eye drops
  • Lotemax SM 0.38% gel eye drops
  • Lotemax 0.5% suspension (eye drops)

Adults can use all forms listed above. Lotemax 0.5% gel eye drops can be used in children of all ages from birth.

Doctors also prescribe Lotemax 0.5% suspension (eye drops) to treat inflammatory conditions of the eye in adults. Examples include:

Lotemax is a short-term treatment. The active ingredient in Lotemax is loteprednol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Lotemax belongs to a group of drugs called corticosteroids. And ophthalmic (eye) corticosteroids can cause certain side effects.

For more information about Lotemax and its uses, refer to this in-depth article on the drug.

Like other drugs, Lotemax can cause mild to serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects while using Lotemax. Below are a few of the more common ones reported in studies* of Lotemax ointment, gel eye drops, and suspension (eye drops).

These side effects can vary depending on the reason the drug is prescribed. They can also vary with the form of Lotemax being used.

More common side effects in people using Lotemax for treatment of pain and inflammation after eye surgery include:

More common side effects in people using Lotemax suspension (eye drops) for certain inflammatory eye conditions include:

* Lotemax SM studies did not report any side effects.
† To learn more about this side effect, go to the “Side effects explained” section below.

Some people may experience mild side effects during their Lotemax treatment. In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Lotemax unless your doctor recommends it.

Examples of mild side effects include:

Lotemax may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. Refer to the drugs’ prescribing information for details:

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Lotemax, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, go to the “Side effects explained” section below.

Serious side effects are possible from Lotemax, but they aren’t common. Your risk for certain serious side effects increases the longer the drug is used.

Serious side effects include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Lotemax, call your doctor right away. And if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* An allergic reaction is possible after using Lotemax. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Get answers below to some frequently asked questions about side effects of Lotemax.

Can Lotemax cause any long-term side effects?

Yes. Possible long-term side effects from Lotemax include:

The risk of these side effects increases the longer the drug is used. Lotemax is meant to be a short-term treatment usually used for up to 14 days.

Glaucoma can occur from increased pressure in your eye and cause symptoms such as blurry vision or blind spots in your eye. Your peripheral vision may be affected as well. Because of this risk, your doctor will likely monitor the pressure in your eye if you use Lotemax for 10 days or longer.

Lotemax may be used to treat pain and inflammation after eye surgery, such as cataract surgery. But long-term use of ophthalmic corticosteroids such as Lotemax can also cause cataracts. (With cataracts, you may have cloudy vision, double vision, light sensitivity, or see small dots or halos.)

Also, using Lotemax after cataract surgery may slow down the healing process. After surgery, you’ll likely have a follow-up visit with your doctor so they can check your vision and confirm that you’re healing properly.

Eye infections can develop with Lotemax and have long-term effects if left untreated. Infections can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Lotemax can also worsen existing eye infections.

Symptoms of eye infections include eye discharge, pain, redness, light sensitivity, or feeling like you have something in your eye. Because of this risk, tell your doctor if you have new symptoms or if your eyes feel worse within 2 days of starting Lotemax treatment.

For more information about the long-term side effects of Lotemax, talk with your doctor.

Do Lotemax eye drops cause any systemic side effects?

It’s not likely. Lotemax was designed to be absorbed mostly in the eye. This reduces systemic side effects (meaning those that affect your whole body).

Studies suggest that there isn’t much Lotemax systemic absorption. One study showed the level of the active ingredient* in Lotemax (loteprednol) to be low or undetectable after administration in the eye. So, Lotemax eye drops aren’t likely to affect your whole body.

Most of the common side effects of Lotemax affect the eyes. (Go to “What are the more common side effects of Lotemax?” above for more details.)

Some possible side effects that aren’t related to the eye include:

Talk with your doctor to learn more about systemic side effects while using Lotemax.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

What side effects can occur with ophthalmic corticosteroids like Lotemax?

Certain side effects can occur with ophthalmic corticosteroids, which are administered into or around the eye. Lotemax belongs to this group of drugs. The risk of certain side effects increases the longer the drug is used.

As a drug group, ophthalmic corticosteroids may cause side effects, including:

Talk with your doctor to learn more about side effects of Lotemax and ophthalmic corticosteroids.

Learn more about some of the side effects Lotemax may cause.

Some side effects may occur more often with one form of Lotemax than another. This is based on how often side effects occurred in separate studies of Lotemax eye ointment, Lotemax gel drops, Lotemax suspension drops, and Lotemax SM gel drops. (Note that Lotemax SM studies did not report any side effects.)

Eye redness

Lotemax can cause the whites of your eyes to appear red. Your doctor might refer to this redness as conjunctival hyperemia. The amount of redness in your eye can vary.

Eye redness is a common side effect that was reported more often in Lotemax ointment studies. The redness is caused when the blood vessels in your eyes enlarge, allowing more blood to enter the area.

Eye redness can also result from a surgical procedure. If you have eye redness that doesn’t go away while using Lotemax, talk with your doctor.

What might help

In general, avoiding irritants may help relieve symptoms of eye redness. Irritants include smoke, pollen, and chemical fumes. Limiting screen time on devices such as phones, computers, or TV may help reduce eyestrain. You can ease redness by applying a cool compress to your eyes a few times per day.

Before using over-the-counter medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist. They can make recommendations on which products to use, if any.

Talk with your doctor if you have pain or vision changes along with your eye redness. They may request that you come in for an eye examination to determine what’s causing your symptoms.

Headache

In studies, some people using Lotemax experienced headaches. It was more commonly reported in those using Lotemax suspension (eye drops).

Symptoms of headache can include head pain that is dull, constant, throbbing, or sharp.

What might help

If your headaches are mild, you may be able to manage them at home. To help ease headache pain, try taking a warm bath or applying a cool compress to your head. Getting enough sleep and practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress can help prevent headaches.

If your headaches are severe or become bothersome during Lotemax treatment, talk with your doctor.

Eye inflammation

Inflammation of the eye between the cornea and the iris is common during Lotemax treatment. It was often reported in Lotemax studies.

Symptoms may include eye redness, pain, vision changes, blurry vision, and light sensitivity.

Keep in mind that these symptoms are also commonly caused by the eye conditions that Lotemax is used to treat. In fact, these symptoms should ease during Lotemax treatment.

What might help

If you have symptoms of eye inflammation that aren’t getting better within a few days of using Lotemax, or if your symptoms get worse, tell your doctor. They may want to examine your eyes again. They may also recommend other treatment options if they determine Lotemax isn’t working well enough.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Lotemax can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Lotemax, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Lotemax, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Lotemax treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Lotemax affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

If you have certain medical conditions, Lotemax may not be right for you. (This is known as a drug-condition interaction.) Other factors may also affect whether this medication is a good treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor about your health history before using Lotemax. Below are some factors to consider.

Glaucoma. Using Lotemax for a long period of time may increase the pressure in your eye, which can lead to glaucoma. If you use Lotemax for 10 days or longer, your doctor will likely monitor the pressure in your eye.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lotemax or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lotemax. Ask them about other medications that might be better options for you.

Slow healing after cataract surgery. Long-term use of Lotemax may cause cataract formation and can slow healing after cataract surgery. Talk with your doctor if you have a planned cataract surgery. And be sure to let them know if you develop symptoms such as cloudy vision or other vision changes while using Lotemax.

Eye disorders with sclera or cornea thinning. In some cases, tears have occurred in eye structures such as the cornea and sclera that had thinned from certain eye disorders. Discuss your medical history with your doctor to determine whether Lotemax is the right drug for you.

Eye infection. Your risk of eye infection increases with Lotemax use. Eye infections can be viral, bacterial, or fungal. If you have certain eye infections, Lotemax may worsen them. For this reason, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lotemax if you have a current infection in your eye(s). Talk with them about the treatment option that’s best for you.

Alcohol and Lotemax

There aren’t any known interactions between alcohol and Lotemax. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about a safe amount while using this medication.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Lotemax

The safety of using Lotemax during pregnancy is unknown. It’s also not known whether this drug passes into human breast milk or the effects in a breastfed child if it does.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about whether Lotemax is the right treatment for you. You can also talk with them about breastfeeding and the best way to feed your child while using Lotemax.

Some mild side effects are common with Lotemax. But serious side effects can occur in some cases. To find out how often side effects occurred with the different forms of Lotemax, refer to the prescribing information:

The side effects of this medication can vary depending on the form you use and the condition you’re using it to treat. Your doctor can give you more information about Lotemax’s side effects. Below are some questions you may want to ask them.

  • Gel eye drops are the only form of Lotemax approved for children. Is this because the other forms cause more side effects?
  • How do Lotemax’s side effects compare to other ophthalmic corticosteroids used for treating eye inflammation and pain?
  • How can I tell the difference between Lotemax’s side effects and the symptoms of my eye condition?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.