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| What is a "site-specific" steroid? |
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Lotemax was specifically designed to reach the sites of ocular inflammation in the cornea, iris, and ciliary body. There, it exerts its anti-inflammatory effect and is then metabolized by naturally occurring esterases into an inactive metabolite. The result is efficacy with a low incidence of side effects1 such as elevated intraocular pressure. |
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| What is the difference between an ester and a ketone steroid? |
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Loteprednol is the only ester steroid currently on the market. All other available ocular steroids (prednisolone, fluorometholone, rimexolone, dexamethasone) are ketone steroids. Ketone steroids are not broken down by esterases. As a result they have a propensity to remain in the anterior chamber. |
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| Why hasn't B&L compared Lotemax to Allergan's Pred Forte® in post-op inflammation? |
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Pred Forte® does not have an FDA-approved indication for post-operative inflammation in its product labeling. The FDA will not allow companies to compare a product that has an indication for a condition against one that does not have a similar indication for the same condition. |
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| What role do you see for Lotemax in acute anterior uveitis? |
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Lotemax has demonstrated efficacy against acute anterior uveitis and would be appropriate for mild to moderate cases or in patients who are steroid responders. |
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| Isn't Lotemax just another "me-too" to Alcon's Vexol®? |
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The unique design and metabolism of Lotemax differentiates it from other steroids. |
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Lotemax is predictably transformed to an inactive metabolite based on the "site specific" principles from Dr. Nicholas Bodor (also known as retrometabolic drug design)1, 2 |
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Lotemax has an ester group on the #20 carbon structure; Vexol has a ketone structure |
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Lotemax has obtained class labeling from the FDA, allowing it to be used to treat eye inflammation that is responsive to ophthalmic steroids (i.e. SAC, GPC, acute anterior uveitis); Lotemax is also indicated for the treatment of post-operative inflammation following ocular surgery. Vexol does not have class labeling and is only indicated for post-op and anterior uveitis |
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| Is Lotemax just another FML®? |
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Lotemax is an ester steroid; FML is a ketone steroid. Both Lotemax and FML contain class labeling in their package inserts. Lotemax also has an indication for post-op inflammation in their labeling. Currently, FML does not have an indication for post-op inflammation. |
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| How is Lotemax different from an NSAID like Voltaren® or Acular®? |
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Steroids are broad acting anti-inflammatories that affect a wide array of mediators whereas NSAIDs work primarily via the cyclooxygenase pathway. |
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| How is Lotemax dosed/prescribed? |
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| How is Lotemax priced? |
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Lotemax is competitively priced among all branded ophthalmic steroids3. Lotemax is usually less expensive than branded NSAIDs. As prices will vary geographically, please check prices locally. |
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