DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Fluorometholone Ophthalmic Ointment (flure-oh-METH-oh-lone)
Brand Name: FML

Fluorometholone Ointment is used for:

Treating inflammation (swelling, warmth, redness, pain) of the eyes and eyelids.

Fluorometholone Ointment is a corticosteroid. Exactly how Fluorometholone Ointment works is unknown.

Do NOT use Fluorometholone Ointment if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluorometholone Ointment
• you have a viral infection of the eye (eg, herpes), a fungal or tuberculosis infection of the eye, certain untreated eye infections (eg, infections producing pus or discharge), or vaccinia or chickenpox infection

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Fluorometholone Ointment:

Some medical conditions may interact with Fluorometholone Ointment. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have thinning of the eye tissues (eg, cornea, sclera), other eye problems (eg, glaucoma, cataracts, nerve damage), or diabetes
• if you have recently had cataract surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluorometholone Ointment. Because little, if any, of Fluorometholone Ointment is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluorometholone Ointment may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Fluorometholone Ointment:

Use Fluorometholone Ointment as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Fluorometholone Ointment may be used around the eye or in the eye. To use Fluorometholone Ointment in the eye, first, wash your hands. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from your eye to form a pouch. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into the pouch. After using Fluorometholone Ointment, gently close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. Wipe the applicator tip with a clean, dry tissue. To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including the eye. Keep the container tightly closed.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are using Fluorometholone Ointment. Sterilize contact lenses according to the manufacturer's directions and check with your doctor before using them.
• If your doctor prescribed more than 1 eye medicine, find out the best order for using each medicine.
• If you miss a dose of Fluorometholone Ointment, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluorometholone Ointment.

Important safety information:

• Fluorometholone Ointment may cause blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Fluorometholone Ointment.
• If your condition does not improve within 2 days or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
• LAB TESTS, including eye pressure, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Fluorometholone Ointment with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 2 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Fluorometholone Ointment during pregnancy. It is unknown if Fluorometholone Ointment is excreted in breast milk after use in the eye. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Fluorometholone Ointment, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Fluorometholone Ointment:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; taste changes; temporary burning or stinging.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; continuing blurred vision; discharge from eyes; eye pain, itching, redness, swelling, irritation, or sores not present when you began using Fluorometholone Ointment.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Fluorometholone Ointment:

Store Fluorometholone Ointment below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Avoid temperatures above 105 degrees F (40 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Fluorometholone Ointment out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Fluorometholone Ointment, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Fluorometholone Ointment is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fluorometholone Ointment. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.