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.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
All products:
- If you have an allergy to dexamethasone or any other part of this drug.
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
For use in the eye:
- If you have any of these health problems: A fungal, TB (tuberculosis), or viral infection of the eye.
- If you have any kind of eye infection.
- If you have glaucoma.
For use in the ear:
- If you have a fungal infection of the ear.
- If you have a hole in the eardrum.
Eye implant, insert, and injection:
- If you have ever had a herpes infection of the eye.
- If you have a type of eye problem called torn or ruptured posterior lens capsule.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
All products:
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Do not use this drug for longer than you were told by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
Solution or suspension:
- If you are allergic to sulfites, talk with your doctor. Some products have sulfites.
Eye solution, suspension, and ointment:
- Use care when driving or doing other tasks that call for clear eyesight.
- Long-term use may raise the chance of cataracts or glaucoma. Talk with the doctor.
- Have your eye pressure checked if you are on this drug for a long time. Talk with your doctor.
Eye implant, insert, and injection:
- This drug may cause blurred eyesight after it is put in your eye. Avoid driving and doing other 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 an eye exam as you have been told by your doctor.
What are some side effects that I need to call my 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 doctor or get medical help right away if you have 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 implant, insert, and injection:
- Eye redness.
- If bright lights bother your eyes.
- Seeing floaters.
- Rarely, severe eye problems (vitreous or retinal detachment) have happened with this drug. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you start to see flashing lights, floaters, a curtain-like shadow coming across your 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 doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you 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 implant, insert, and injection:
- Dry eyes.
- Blurred eyesight after the shot.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Eye implant, insert, and injection:
- This drug is given into the eye by your doctor.
All other products:
- Use as you have been told, even if your signs get better.
- Wash your hands before and after use.
- Do not touch the container tip to the 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:
- Take out contact lenses before using this drug. Lenses may be put back in 15 minutes after this drug is given. Do not put contacts back in if your eyes are irritated or infected.
Eye solution, suspension:
- Tilt your head back and drop drug into the eye.
- After use, keep your eyes closed. Put pressure on the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes. This keeps the drug in your 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 keep eyes closed for 1 to 2 minutes.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
Eye implant, insert, and injection:
- Call your doctor to find out what to do.
All other products:
- Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
Eye implant, insert, and injection:
- If you need to store this drug at home, talk with your 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 symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your 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
2023-01-23
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