What is Acular?
Acular (Ketorolac) is classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that affects the hormone amounts and decreases pain and inflammation. Acular is recommended to patients who require relief of eye problems. The medication is aimed at improving eye itching, pain, swelling and other symptoms of seasonal allergies. Additionally, the drug can boost the recovery process after corneal refractive surgery and cataract surgery. Acular is frequently used off-label to treat other conditions.
Recommendations for Use
To get the desirable effect without triggering side effects, a patient should administer Acular just as prescribed by the physician. Never increase or decrease the treatment dose to avoid possible misuse and related complications. Striving to achieve the beneficial impact of the medication during cataract surgery and recovery, a patient should start applying the pharmaceutical a day before the surgery. Keep using Acular for 14 days after the operation. However, do not use the treatment longer than recommended by the doctor. Take a few steps to proper Acular application:
• Move your head back, open your eye and form a small pocket, pulling down your lower lid;
• Squeeze a drop and close your eye;
• Keep calm for a couple of minutes in such as position and then open your eyes;
• Apply the medication to the eye that is affected by the condition.
Never use Acular on the contact lenses, since it will have no effect, but will irritate the eye, instead. Do not miss doses of you intake schedule. Apply a missed drop as soon as you remember, though skip it in case the following one should be used within a short while.
Precautions and Contraindications
Primarily to Acular treatment course, talk to your doctor and discuss all the complications and issues that can disturb you during the medication use. Inform your healthcare provider about other illnesses and health problems you have, especially:
• Dry eye syndrome;
• Glaucoma;
• High blood pressure;
• Arthritis;
• Diabetes of any type;
• Blood clotting problems;
• Bleeding disorders and others.
You should not apply Acular once you are allergic to its active ingredient or similar NSAID treatments. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not commonly recommended to use Acular because of the dangerous impact of the medication on the health of an unborn or nursing child.
Drug Interactions
Striving to eliminate possible side effects, a patient should also provide a physician with a full list of pharmaceutical products he/she uses. This way you will help the doctor to adjust a correct Acular dose and prevent undesirable drug interactions. Never combine Acular eye drops with blood thinners, since severe complications can occur. Additionally, the treatment may interact with other eye drops, NSAIDs and corticosteroids.
Side Effects
Acular is not likely to produce severe complications if used properly, following the safety concerns. The common side effects include:
• Headache;
• Mild itching or burning of the eyes;
• Redness;
• Swelling of the eyelids, etc.
Contact your healthcare specialist in case the symptoms do not improve within a few days, but the general condition aggravates, instead. Seek immediate medical assistance if you have got hives, swelling of tongue, lips, face, breathing problems or other signs of an allergic reaction. Call your doctor and stop Acular application in case you experience severe complications:
• Vision disorders, blurred vision, vision changes, etc.;
• Redness and persistent eye pain;
• Stinging, burning of the eyes and others.