Prednisolone acetate
Anti-inflammatory · Rx
Trade namesPred Forte 1%, Pred Mild 0.12%, Omnipred
Drug classCorticosteroid, ketone (suspension)
Strength1%, 0.12%
AvailabilityRx
Mechanism of actionPotent glucocorticoid; suppresses the inflammatory cascade, phospholipase A2 inhibition, reduced cytokine and prostaglandin synthesis, stabilized cell membranes.
Indication / reason for useAnterior uveitis/iritis, post-operative inflammation, severe allergic/immune keratoconjunctivitis, scleritis, marginal keratitis, chemical injury.
Usual adult dosing1-2 drops 2-6×/day (up to hourly for severe iritis), then taper. Shake well.
PreservativeBAK 0.01%
Contact lensesDiscontinue lens wear during treatment of active inflammation.
Common / important adverse effectsIOP elevation (steroid responders), posterior subcapsular cataract, delayed wound healing, potentiation of infection (herpes, fungal, bacterial), mydriasis, ptosis.
Contraindications & cautionsEpithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic), vaccinia, varicella; most viral, fungal and mycobacterial ocular infections.
Pregnancy / lactationTopical ocular use generally acceptable; systemic exposure low.
Practice notesCheck IOP within 2-3 weeks of starting and periodically. Shake the suspension, under-dosing is common if not resuspended.
Chair-side reference only. Dosing, contraindications and pregnancy guidance here are not exhaustive. Confirm against the current prescribing information and the patient’s full history before prescribing or advising.