From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ... Clinical Studies:In two double-masked, placebo-controlled six-week environmental studies of 268 patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Suspension, 0. 2%, when dosed four times per day was superior to placebo in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.
The recommended dose of Alrex (loteprednol etabonate) is 0.2% suspension, dosed four times per day 1.
From the Research
Alrex (loteprednol etabonate) should be prescribed as one drop in the affected eye(s) four times daily, with treatment continued for up to two weeks, as it has been shown to have a low propensity to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) and is effective in reducing inflammation, redness, itching, and swelling in the eye 2. The standard dosing for seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is one drop instilled into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) four times daily.
- Key considerations when using Alrex include:
- Shaking the bottle well before each use
- Washing hands before and after application
- Avoiding touching the dropper tip to any surface to prevent contamination
- Waiting at least 10 minutes between using other eye drops
- If symptoms persist beyond two weeks or worsen, patients should consult their eye care provider for reevaluation, as Alrex is specifically formulated to have a lower risk of side effects compared to other ocular steroids because it's rapidly metabolized after exerting its therapeutic effect 3. The cumulative data from multiple studies substantiates a favorable IOP-safety profile for loteprednol etabonate with both short-term and long-term use, with a cumulative proportion of patients exhibiting clinically significant IOP increases of 0.8% (14/1725 subjects) in studies evaluating short-term treatment and 1.5% (21/1386 subjects) in long-term studies 2.