Description

Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that is thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, which control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor arachidonic acid.

Presentation

    Sonexa Sterile Eye Drops: Each ml contains Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate USP equivalent to Dexamethasone Phosphate 1 mg.

    Preservative: Benzalkonium Chloride

    Sonexa Sterile Eye Ointment: Each gram contains Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate USP equivalent to Dexamethasone Phosphate 0.5 mg.

    Preservative: Methylparaben & Propylparaben

Indications

    Steroid responsive inflammatory conditions of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea, and anterior segment of the globe, such as allergic conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis, scleritis, corneal injury from chemical or thermal burns, or penetration of foreign bodies. It is also effective post-operatively.

Dosage & Administration

     

    Sonexa ophthalmic Solution: Instill one drop into the conjunctival sac every hour during the day and every two hours during the night as initial therapy. When a favourable response is observed, reduce dosage to one drop every four hours. Later, further reduction in dosage to one drop three or four times daily may sufficient to control symptoms.
    Sonexa Ophthalmic Ointment: Apply a thin coating of ointment 3 or 4 times a day. When a favourable response is observed, reduce the number of daily applications to twice and later to once a day as a maintenance dose if this is sufficient to control symptoms. 

Contrainidications

    Patients wearing contact lenses, herpes simplex & other virus conditions, mycosis, glaucoma, new born babies, fungal diseases of ocular or auricular structures, hypersensitivity to any component of this product.

Warning & Precautions

    If no improvement is observed after 7-8 days, other therapeutic measures should be considered.
    Corticosteroids may mask, activate or exacerbate eye infections.
    Due to the risk of systemic response the administration to the children under 2, and to hyper or-hypotonics is not advisable.
    During treatment the intraocular pressure should be measured regularly.
    Prolonged use may result intraocular hypertension and/or glaucoma, with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and posterior subcapsular cataract formation.
    Patients wearing contact lenses must not use the drops during the time the lenses are worn.

Side effects

    A slight burning sensation may occur for a short time after instilling the drop into the eye. After several weeks of administration to predisposed patients there may be a reversible increase in intraocular pressure. Regular pressure checks are advisable. Systemic adverse reactions may also occur after long-term topical application of corticosteriod in children. Others include cataract and corneal softening.

Drug interaction

Use in special groups

    Use in pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. It should only be administered during pregnancy if the potential benefit exceeds the foreseeable risk to the fetus.
    Use in lactation: It should be given in lactating mother if clearly indicated by the physician.

Packing

    Sonexa Sterile Eye Drops: Each plastic dropper bottle contains 5 ml eye drops.
    Sonexa Sterile Eye Ointment: Each tube contains 3 g eye ointment.