Bromfenac

Bromfenac is a ophthalmic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsaid) medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain after cataract surgery.

Adult dosing depends on the product strength, the operated eye, and the surgeon’s plan. It is commonly used as drops in the affected eye once or twice daily around the time of cataract surgery and continued for the duration prescribed. Follow the doctor’s instructions exactly, do not touch the dropper tip to the eye or any surface, and separate other eye drops by at least 5 minutes unless advised otherwise.

• Common: temporary burning or stinging, eye irritation, redness, itching, watery eyes, foreign-body sensation, blurred vision, and headache.
• Less common but important: eye pain, worsening redness, sensitivity to light, reduced vision, delayed healing, keratitis, corneal thinning, corneal erosion or ulceration, and rarely corneal perforation.
• Allergic reactions may occur, including swelling, rash, severe itching, breathing difficulty, or worsening asthma in NSAID-sensitive patients.

Use caution in people with aspirin or NSAID allergy, asthma, bleeding tendency, use of blood thinners, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, dry eye, corneal disease, reduced corneal sensation, repeated or complicated eye surgery, or those using topical corticosteroid eye drops. It may mask signs of infection and may slow healing after eye surgery. Do not wear contact lenses after eye surgery or while using the drops unless the eye doctor allows it. Use under the guidance of a registered doctor or pharmacist.

• Topical corticosteroid eye drops may increase the risk of delayed healing and corneal complications when used with ophthalmic NSAIDs.
• Anticoagulants, antiplatelet medicines, and other NSAIDs may theoretically increase bleeding risk, including ocular bleeding, especially around surgery.
• When using other eye medicines, apply them at least 5 minutes apart unless the prescriber gives different instructions.
• No important food interaction is expected with eye drop use.

• Do not use in patients with known hypersensitivity to bromfenac, other NSAIDs, or any ingredient of the eye drop.
• Do not use in patients who have developed asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after aspirin or other NSAIDs unless specifically directed by a specialist.
• Do not use in an infected, injured, or non-surgical eye condition without medical assessment.

Because bromfenac is an NSAID, use during pregnancy only if the expected benefit justifies the potential risk. It should generally be avoided in late pregnancy unless a doctor considers it essential, as NSAIDs can affect the fetus. It is not known whether ophthalmic bromfenac passes into breast milk in clinically significant amounts; breastfeeding patients should use it only on medical advice.

Store at room temperature, away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep the bottle tightly closed and out of reach of children. Do not use if the solution changes colour, becomes cloudy, or the expiry date has passed. Discard after the period recommended on the label after opening.