Diclofenac

Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to any component of the medication.

• The refractive stability of patients undergoing corneal refractive procedures and treated with Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% has not been established.
• Patients should be monitored for a year following use in this setting.
• With some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, there exists the potential for increased bleeding time due to interference with thrombocyte aggregation.
• There have been reports that ocularly applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery.
• There is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
• Therefore, caution should be used when treating individuals who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs.
• General All topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may slow or delay healing.
• Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing.
• Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.
• Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis.
• In some susceptible patients continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal infiltrates, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration, and corneal perforation.
• These events may be sight-threatening.
• Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs and should be closely monitored for corneal health.
• Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients experiencing complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface disease (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events, which may become sight-threatening.
• Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients.
• Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs also suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days postsurgery may increase patient risk for occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.
• It is recommended that Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1%, like other NSAIDs, be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time.
• Use of the same bottle for both eyes is not recommended with topical eye drops that are used in association with surgery.
• Results from clinical studies indicate that Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% has no significant effect upon ocular pressure.
• However, elevations in intraocular pressure may occur following cataract surgery.
• Information for Patients Except for the use of a bandage hydrogel soft contact lens during the first 3 days following refractive surgery, Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% should not be used by patients currently wearing soft contact lenses due to adverse events that have occurred in other circumstances.
• Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility Long-term carcinogenicity studies in rats given Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% in oral doses up to 2mg/kg/day (approximately 500 times the human topical ophthalmic dose) revealed no significant increases in tumor incidence.
• A 2-year carcinogenicity study conducted in mice employing oral Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% up to 2 mg/kg/day did not reveal any oncogenic potential.
• Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% did not show mutagenic potential in various mutagenicity studies including the Ames test.
• Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% administered to male and female rats at 4 mg/kg/day (approximately 1000 times the human topical ophthalmic dose) did not affect fertility.
• Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger adult patients.
• PREGNANCY Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C.
• Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
• General All topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may slow or delay healing.
• Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing.
• Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.
• Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis.
• In some susceptible patients continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal infiltrates, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration, and corneal perforation.
• These events may be sight-threatening.
• Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs and should be closely monitored for corneal health.
• Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients experiencing complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface disease (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events, which may become sight-threatening.
• Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients.
• Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs also suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days postsurgery may increase patient risk for occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.
• It is recommended that Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1%, like other NSAIDs, be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time.
• Use of the same bottle for both eyes is not recommended with topical eye drops that are used in association with surgery.
• Results from clinical studies indicate that Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% has no significant effect upon ocular pressure.
• However, elevations in intraocular pressure may occur following cataract surgery.

• Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C.
• Reproduction studies performed in mice at oral doses up to 5,000 times (20 mg/kg/day) and in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 2,500 times (10 mg/kg/day) the human topical dose have revealed no evidence of teratogenicity due to Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% despite the induction of maternal toxicity and fetal toxicity.
• In rats, maternally toxic doses were associated with dystocia, prolonged gestation, reduced fetal weights and growth, and reduced fetal survival.
• Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% has been shown to cross the placental barrier in mice and rats.
• There are, however, no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
• Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
• Non-teratogenic Effects Because of the known effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibiting drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), the use of Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% during late pregnancy should be avoided.
• Nursing Women It is not known whether topical ophthalmic administration of Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in breast milk.
• Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Overdosage will not ordinarily cause acute problems. If Diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, 0.1% is accidentally ingested, fluids should be taken to dilute the medication.