This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Dextenza; Dexycu; Maxidex; Ozurdex
Brand Names: Canada
Maxidex; Ozurdex
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat eye swelling.
- It is used to treat eye irritation.
- It is used to treat ear swelling.
Eye implant and injection:
- If your child has been given this form of this drug, talk with the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions or concerns about giving this drug to your child.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
All products:
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
For use in the eye:
- If your child has any of these health problems: A fungal infection, TB (tuberculosis), or viral infection of the eye.
- If your child has any kind of eye infection.
- If your child has glaucoma.
Eye insert:
- If your child has ever had a herpes infection of the eye.
- If your child has a type of eye problem called torn or ruptured posterior lens capsule.
For use in the ear:
- If your child has a fungal infection of the ear.
- If your child has a hole in the eardrum.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not have your child use longer than you have been told by your child’s doctor.
If your child is pregnant or breast-feeding a baby:
- Talk with the doctor if your child is pregnant, becomes pregnant, or is breast-feeding a baby. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to your child and the baby.
Solution or suspension:
- If your child is allergic to sulfites, talk with your child’s doctor. Some products have sulfites in them.
Eye solution, suspension, and ointment:
- Have your child use care when doing tasks that call for clear eyesight.
- Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your child’s eye pressure checked if your child is on this drug for a long time. Talk with the doctor.
Eye insert:
- This drug may cause blurred eyesight after it is put in the eye. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for clear eyesight until this goes away.
- Some eye problems like raised eye pressure, cataracts, and glaucoma have happened with this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- Have your child get an eye exam as you have been told by the doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
For all uses of this drug:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
For use in the eye:
- Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritation.
Eye insert:
- Eye redness.
- If bright lights bother your child’s eyes.
- Seeing floaters.
- Rarely, severe eye problems (vitreous or retinal detachment) have happened with this drug. Call the doctor or get medical help right away if your child starts to see flashing lights, floaters, a curtain-like shadow coming across the eye, or have sudden eyesight loss.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
For all uses of this drug:
- Irritation where this drug was used.
For use in the eye:
- Blurred eyesight.
- Feeling that something is in the eye.
Eye insert:
- Dry eyes.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Eye insert:
- This drug is given into the eye by the doctor.
All other products:
- Keep using this drug as you have been told by your child’s doctor or other health care provider, even if your child’s signs get better.
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Do not touch the container tip to your child’s eye, lid, or other skin. This could lead to bacteria in the drug, which may cause severe eye problems or loss of eyesight.
Eye solution, suspension, and ointment:
- Have your child take out contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put lenses back in if your child’s eyes are irritated or infected.
Eye solution, suspension:
- Tilt your child’s head back and drop drug into the eye.
- After giving this drug, ask your child to keep eyes closed. Put light pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your child’s eye.
Suspension:
- Shake well before use.
Solution:
- If you are using this drug in the ear, use as the doctor tells you.
Eye ointment:
- Gently pull down the lower lid and squeeze in how much the doctor told you to use.
- Let go of the lower eyelid and have your child keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
Eye insert:
- Call your child’s doctor to find out what to do.
All other products:
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your child’s next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Eye insert:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.
All other products:
- Store at room temperature.
All products:
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-08-12
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