Fluocinolone acetonide (Into the eye)

Fluocinolone Acetonide (floo-oh-SIN-oh-lone a-SEET-oh-nide)

Treats chronic swelling of the eye that is not caused by an infection. Also treats diabetic macular edema (DME). This medicine is a corticosteroid.

Brand Name(s):

Iluvien, Retisert, Yutiq

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to fluocinolone, or if you have certain eye infections (including herpes simplex, smallpox, chickenpox, or mycobacterial eye infection).

How to Use This Medicine:

Implant

• An eye doctor will give you this medicine in a hospital or clinic. This medicine is an implant that is placed into your eye. It will stay in your eye and does not need to be removed for up to 36 months. When the effects of the medicine wear off, another implant can be surgically placed into your eye.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have an eye infection or other eye problems (including glaucoma or cataract).
• This medicine may cause serious eye problems including infection, glaucoma, cataract, or a detached retina.
• This medicine may cause temporary blurred vision. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This implant could move into a different part of your eye if the back part of your lens is missing or torn. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Bleeding in your eye, redness in the whites of your eyes
• Blurred vision that lasts longer than 4 weeks after implant surgery
• Eye pain, sensitivity to light, halos around lights, trouble seeing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dry or watery eyes, runny or stuffy nose
• Headache
• Seeing stars or spots in your vision
• Temporary problems with your vision

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 12/4/2023