Nepafenac (eye drops Nevanak are created on the basis of this active substance) - a derivative of acetic acid and related compounds (NSAIDs). The Latin name of the substance is Nepafenacum (genus. Nepafenaci). The gross formula is C15H14N2O2. Nepafenac is a prodrug of amphenac, an inhibitor of the activity of COX-1 and COX-2.
Record content:
- 1 Action and effects of Nepafenac
- 2 Eye drops with Nepafenac
- 3 Instructions for use
- 4 Contraindications
- 5 Side effects and possible harm
- 6 Use of Nepafenac for children and pregnant women
- 7 Analogs of eye drops with Nepafenac
- 8 Video about eye drops that include Nepafenac
Action and effects of Nepafenac
The prodrug is used to eliminate painful sensations, with the appearance of redness and puffiness in the eyes of patients operated on for cataracts. Preparations are produced with this substance in the form of a suspension (liquid).
It is required to instill drops in the eyes, as a rule, 3 times a day (preferably at the same time):
- 1 day before the operation;
- immediately before the operation (30-120 minutes);
- 2 weeks after surgery.
If necessary, the attending physician can extend the use of the drug for up to 21 days.
Nepafenac inhibits the production of substances that cause pain and swelling. 80% of patients who used the drug confirmed its effectiveness. According to their reviews, it helps to eliminate pain and inflammation in the eye after an operation to remove contacts.
Eye drops with Nepafenac
Nepafenac (Nevanak and Ilevro eye drops) are the 2 most common medicines with this active ingredient. These are similar drugs that are used to relieve pain and swelling in the eye after cataract surgery.
In the post-Soviet space, Nevanak drops are widespread, which have an affordable price (on average 650 rubles), but Ilevro can only be found in foreign pharmacies. Ilevro's drug is distinguished by its high cost - about 25,000 rubles.
Both Nevanak and Ilevro are manufactured and marketed by Alcon. It is currently a division of Novartis International AG with offices in Switzerland and the United States. Nevanak entered the market in 2005, Ilevro - 2013.
Table. Comparison of drugs Nevanak and Ilevro with the main active ingredient Nepafenac:
| Name | Nevanak | Ilevro |
| Release date | 2005 year | 2013 g. |
| Price | 650 RUB | RUB 25,000 |
| Content of Nepafenac | 0,1% | 0,3% |
| Mode of application | 3 times a day (total 16 days) | 3 times a day (total 16 days) |
| Contraindications (general) | Excessive susceptibility to NSAIDs | Excessive susceptibility to NSAIDs |
| Application during pregnancy | Category C: contraindicated | Category C: contraindicated |
Instructions for use
Nepafenac (in Nevanak eye drops) is prescribed by a doctor in the following situations:
- To eliminate painful sensations, with the appearance of redness and swelling after cataract surgery.
- To reduce the risk of macular edema after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus of any degree.
Instructions for using the drug step by step will make it possible to achieve maximum efficiency and safety when using it:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Shake the bottle vigorously.
- Next, you need to check the dropper tip for chips and cracks.
- Do not touch the eye or anything else with the dropper.
- With your head thrown back, pull the lower eyelid with your index finger until a pocket appears.
- With your other hand, bring the dropper (tip down) as close to the eye as possible. Don't touch it.
- Looking up, it is necessary to carefully squeeze the tip so that exactly one drop falls into the pocket of the lower eyelid. You can remove your finger.
- If necessary, do the same for the other eye.
- Keep your eyes closed for a few minutes. At this time, lower your head down, imagine that you are looking at the floor. It is necessary to keep the eyelids free, not to squeeze them, try not to blink.
- Press lightly on the lacrimal canal with your finger.
- Wipe off excess with a clean cloth or disposable tissue.
- If you need to drip more than one drop into one eye, wait at least 5 minutes before repeating the procedure. Only after that, you can make another drop, observing all the same recommendations.
- Then put in place and carefully screw the dropper bottle so that nothing foreign gets on it. Do not wipe or rinse the pipette tip.
- Wash your hands to remove residues of the substance.
It's important to know! If you miss a dose, you cannot double it at your discretion! It is necessary to instill 1 drop as soon as possible outside the standard time of taking the medicine, and then continue with the standard treatment regimen.
Contraindications
Nepafenac (as part of Nevanak eye drops and others) has the following contraindications for use:
- Excessive susceptibility to the components of the drug.
- Acute rhinitis, bronchial asthma or urticaria caused by taking Aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The medicine can be taken by patients with impaired liver and kidney function.
Side effects and possible harm
The drug has passed clinical trials on more than 2000 patients, of which only 3% were found to have the following side effects.
Scroll:
- punctate keratitis;
- dryness;
- discomfort and pain in the eye;
- itching;
- conjunctival hyperemia;
- choroidal effusion;
- crusts on the eyelids;
- lacrimation.
Of all patients with identified side effects, only 0.6% had to stop taking the drug. Most often, problems arose in subjects with diabetes mellitus. Possible harm is a slight deterioration in vision.
Use of Nepafenac for children and pregnant women
Conducted clinical studies have documented that pregnant women should not take this drug unless urgently needed. It is assigned category C, which means that the drug is used only when the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
Moreover, women of childbearing age who do not use contraception are also advised to limit their use of Nepafenac. Due to the unproven safety and effectiveness of the drug, it is not allowed to be used by persons under 18 years of age.
Analogs of eye drops with Nepafenac
Eye drops with Nepafenac have several analogues, among which the most common are the following:
- Uniclofen (active substance diclofenac sodium, cost - 200 rubles);
- Broksinak (active substance bromfenac sodium sesquihydrate, cost - 520 rubles);
- Diftal (active substance diclofenac sodium, cost - 200 rubles);
- Indocollir (active substance indomethacin, cost - 200 rubles).
Important to remember! It is forbidden to replace the drug prescribed by an ophthalmologist with the substance Nepafenac (eye drops Nevanak, Ilevro or others) with its analogue without consulting your doctor!
Video about eye drops that include Nepafenac
Features of eye drops with Nepafenac component:
