DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Nepafenac (ne-PA-fe-nac)
Brand Name: Nevanac

Nepafenac is used for:

Treating pain and swelling associated with cataract surgery. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Nepafenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by blocking certain substances (prostaglandins) in the eye.

Do NOT use Nepafenac if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Nepafenac or to other NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen)
• you are in late pregnancy

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

Before using Nepafenac :

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

• if you are pregnant, planning 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 had a severe allergic reaction (eg, severe rash, hives, difficulty breathing, dizziness) to aspirin or phenylacetic acid
• if you have eye problems, bleeding problems, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis
• if you have had complicated eye surgery or repeat eye surgery within a short period of time

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nepafenac . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or heparin because side effects, such as risk of bleeding, may be increased by Nepafenac

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nepafenac 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 Nepafenac :

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

• Shake well before each use.
• Wash your hands. Tilt your head back. Using your index finger, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove excess medicine around your eye with a clean tissue, being careful not to touch your eye. To prevent germs from contaminating your medicine, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface, including your eye. Wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them. Keep the container tightly closed.
• Do not wear contact lenses while you are using Nepafenac . Sterilize contact lenses according to manufacturer's directions and check with your doctor before using them.
• If you miss a dose of Nepafenac , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the 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 Nepafenac .

Important safety information:

• Do not exceed the recommended dose or use Nepafenac for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Using Nepafenac more than 24 hours before surgery or for more than 14 days after surgery may increase your risk of side effects, some of which may be serious.
• Use Nepafenac with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 10 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Nepafenac , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Nepafenac during pregnancy. Do not use Nepafenac during late pregnancy. It is unknown if Nepafenac is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Nepafenac , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Nepafenac :

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:

Dry eye; eye discomfort; eyelid crusting; feeling of having something in the eye; headache; increased tear production; nausea; sensitivity to light; sinus inflammation; sticky sensation in the eye; vomiting.

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; dizziness; eye itching, pain, swelling, or bleeding.

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 Nepafenac :

Store Nepafenac in the refrigerator or at room temperature, between 36 and 77 degrees F (2 and 8 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Nepafenac out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Nepafenac , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Nepafenac 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 Nepafenac . 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.