Description: Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops is a sterile, topical, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory product for ophthalmic use. Diclofenac Sodium is a faintly yellow-white to light-beige, slightly hygroscopic crystalline powder. It is freely soluble in methanol, sparingly soluble in water, very slightly soluble in acetonitrile, and insoluble in chloroform and in 0.1N hydrochloric acid. Diclofenac Sodium is designated chemically as 2-[ (2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino] benzeneacetic acid, monosodium salt. Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops has a faint characteristic odor of castor oil.

Pharmacological effects: Diclofenac Sodium is one of a series of phenylacetic acids that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in pharmacological studies. It is thought to inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase, which is essential in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins.Prostaglandins have been shown in many animal models to be mediators of certain kinds of intraocular inflammation. In studies performed in animal eyes, prostaglandins have been shown to produce disruption of the blood-aqueous humor barrier, vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, leukocytosis, and increased intraocular pressure.

Pharmacokinetics: Results from a bioavailability study established that plasma levels of diclofenac following ocular instillation of two drops of Diclofenac Sodium Ophthalmic to each eye were below the limit of quantification (10 ng/mL) over a 4-hour period.

Indications: Diclofenac Sodium Eye Drops is indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation in patients who have undergone cataract extraction and for the temporary relief of pain and photophobia in patients undergoing corneal refractive surgery.

Precautions: 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 also suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days post surgery may increase patient risk for occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events. It is recommended that Diclofenac Sodium Ophthalmic, like other NSAIDs, be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications, which may prolong bleeding time.Except for the use of a bandage hydrogel soft contact lens during the first 3 days following refractive surgery, Diclofenac Sodium Ophthalmic should not be used by patients currently wearing soft contact lenses due to adverse events that have occurred in other circumstances.

Adverse reaction: Transient burning and stinging were reported in approximately 15% of patients across studies with the use of Diclofenac Sodium Ophthalmic. The following adverse reactions were reported in approximately 5% or less of the patients: abnormal vision, acute elevated IOP, blurred vision, conjunctivitis, corneal deposits, corneal edema, corneal opacity, corneal lesions, discharge, eyelid swelling, injection, iritis, irritation, itching, lacrimation disorder and ocular allergy.The following adverse reactions were reported in 3% or less of the patients: abdominal pain, asthenia, chills, dizziness, facial edema, fever, headache, insomnia, nausea, pain, rhinitis, viral infection, and vomiting.