Health Library

Bromfenac (Into the eye)

Bromfenac (BROME-fen-ak)

Treats eye pain and swelling after cataract surgery. This medicine is an NSAID.

Brand Name(s):

Bromsite, Prolensa

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Drop

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
• Lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.
• To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it. Keep the bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.
• Prolensa™: If you had surgery on both eyes, you will need a separate bottle of medicine for each eye. This will help prevent an infection.
• Contact lenses:
  • Bromday® and BromSite™: Do not wear contacts during the time that you are being treated with this medicine.
  • Prolensa™: Take your contacts out before you put the medicine in your eye. Wait 10 minutes before you put your contact lenses back in.
• Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how bromfenac works. Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner (including warfarin) or a steroid eye medicine (including dexamethasone or fluocinolone).
• If you are using more than one eye medicine, use the medicines at least 5 minutes apart.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have asthma or a sulfite allergy, a bleeding disorder, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or another eye problem (such as dry eye). Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to aspirin, phenylacetic acid, or another NSAID (including aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib).
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk for bleeding
  • Keratitis, which can lead to cornea damage
  • Slower healing, especially if you also use a steroid medicine
• If you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Bleeding, pain, swelling, or severe redness or irritation in your eye
• Blurred vision or other vision changes
• Increased sensitivity to light

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Feeling that something is in your eye
• Mild burning, stinging, or itching of your eye

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024