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FML Ophthalmic Ointment: Package Insert / Prescribing Info

Package insert / product label
Generic name: fluorometholone
Dosage form: ophthalmic ointment
Drug class: Ophthalmic steroids

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 12, 2024.

FML Ophthalmic Ointment Description

FML® (fluorometholone ophthalmic ointment) 0.1% is a sterile, topical anti-inflammatory agent for ophthalmic use.

Chemical Name

Fluorometholone: 9-Fluoro-11β,17-dihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione

Structural Formula

The Structural Formula for Fluorometholone: 9-Fluoro-11β,17-dihydroxy-6α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione

Contains

Active: fluorometholone 0.1%. Preservative: phenylmercuric acetate (0.0008%). Inactives: mineral oil; petrolatum (and) lanolin alcohol; and white petrolatum.

FML Ophthalmic Ointment - Clinical Pharmacology

Corticosteroids inhibit the inflammatory response to a variety of inciting agents and probably delay or slow healing. They inhibit the edema, fibrin deposition, capillary dilation, leukocyte migration, capillary proliferation, fibroblast proliferation, deposition of collagen, and scar formation associated with inflammation.

There is no generally accepted explanation for the mechanism of action of ocular corticosteroids. However, corticosteroids are thought to act by the induction of phospholipase A2 inhibitory proteins, collectively called lipocortins. It is postulated that these proteins control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes by inhibiting the release of their common precursor, arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is released from membrane phospholipids by phospholipase A2.

Corticosteroids are capable of producing a rise in intraocular pressure. In clinical studies of documented steroid-responders, fluorometholone demonstrated a significantly longer average time to produce a rise in intraocular pressure than dexamethasone phosphate; however, in a small percentage of individuals, a significant rise in intraocular pressure occurred within one week. The ultimate magnitude of the rise was equivalent for both drugs.

Indications and Usage for FML Ophthalmic Ointment

FML® ointment is indicated for the treatment of corticosteroid-responsive inflammation of the palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, cornea and anterior segment of the globe.

Contraindications

FML® ointment is contraindicated in most viral diseases of the cornea and conjunctiva, including epithelial herpes simplex keratitis (dendritic keratitis), vaccinia, and varicella, and also in mycobacterial infection of the eye and fungal diseases of ocular structures.

FML® ointment is also contraindicated in individuals with known or suspected hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of this preparation and to other corticosteroids.

Warnings

Prolonged use of corticosteroids may increase intraocular pressure in susceptible individuals, resulting in glaucoma with damage to the optic nerve, defects in visual acuity and fields of vision, and in posterior subcapsular cataract formation. Prolonged use may also suppress the host immune response and thus increase the hazard of secondary ocular infections.

Various ocular diseases and long-term use of topical corticosteroids have been known to cause corneal and scleral thinning. Use of topical corticosteroids in the presence of thin corneal or scleral tissue may lead to perforation.

Acute purulent infections of the eye may be masked or activity enhanced by the presence of corticosteroid medication.

If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure should be routinely monitored even though it may be difficult in children and uncooperative patients. Steroids should be used with caution in the presence of glaucoma. Intraocular pressure should be checked frequently.

The use of steroids after cataract surgery may delay healing and increase the incidence of bleb formation.

Use of ocular steroids may prolong the course and may exacerbate the severity of many viral infections of the eye (including herpes simplex). Employment of a corticosteroid medication in the treatment of patients with a history of herpes simplex requires great caution; frequent slit lamp microscopy is recommended.

Precautions

General

The initial prescription and renewal of the medication order beyond 8 grams of FML® ointment should be made by a physician only after examination of the patient with the aid of magnification, such as slit lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining. If signs and symptoms fail to improve after two days, the patient should be re-evaluated.

As fungal infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term local corticosteroid applications, fungal invasion should be suspected in any persistent corneal ulceration where a corticosteroid has been used or is in use. Fungal cultures should be taken when appropriate.

If this product is used for 10 days or longer, intraocular pressure should be monitored (see WARNINGS).

Ophthalmic ointments may retard corneal healing.

Information for Patients

If inflammation or pain persists longer than 48 hours or becomes aggravated, the patient should be advised to discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician.

This product is sterile when packaged. To prevent contamination, care should be taken to avoid touching the tube tip to eyelids or to any other surface. The use of this tube by more than one person may spread infection. Keep tube tightly closed when not in use. Keep out of the reach of children.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

No studies have been conducted in animals or in humans to evaluate the possibility of these effects with fluorometholone.

Pregnancy

Teratogenic effects

Fluorometholone has been shown to be embryocidal and teratogenic in rabbits when administered at low multiples of the human ocular dose. Fluorometholone was applied ocularly to rabbits daily on days 6 - 18 of gestation, and dose-related fetal loss and fetal abnormalities including cleft palate, deformed rib cage, anomalous limbs and neural abnormalities such as encephalocele, craniorachischisis, and spina bifida were observed. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of fluorometholone in pregnant women, and it is not known whether fluorometholone can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Fluorometholone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether topical ophthalmic administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from fluorometholone, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in infants below the age of two years have not been established.

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Adverse reactions include, in decreasing order of frequency, elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) with possible development of glaucoma and infrequent optic nerve damage, posterior subcapsular cataract formation, and delayed wound healing.

Although systemic effects are extremely uncommon, there have been rare occurrences of systemic hypercorticoidism after use of topical dermatologic steroids applied to the skin.

Corticosteroid-containing preparations have also been reported to cause acute anterior uveitis and perforation of the globe. Keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, mydriasis, conjunctival hyperemia, loss of accommodation and ptosis have occasionally been reported following local use of corticosteroids.

The development of secondary ocular infection (bacterial, fungal, and viral) has occurred. Fungal and viral infections of the cornea are particularly prone to develop coincidentally with long-term applications of steroids. The possibility of fungal invasion should be considered in any persistent corneal ulceration where steroid treatment has been used (see WARNINGS).

Other adverse events reported with the use of fluorometholone include: allergic reactions; foreign body sensation; erythema of eyelid; eyelid edema/eye swelling; eye discharge; eye pain; eye pruritus; lacrimation increased; ocular irritation; rash; taste perversion; visual disturbance (blurry vision); and visual field defect.

FML Ophthalmic Ointment Dosage and Administration

A small amount (approximately ½ inch ribbon) of ointment should be applied to the conjunctival sac one to three times daily. During the initial 24 to 48 hours, the dosing frequency may be increased to one application every four hours. Care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely.

If signs and symptoms fail to improve after two days, the patient should be re-evaluated (see PRECAUTIONS).

The dosing of FML® ointment may be reduced, but care should be taken not to discontinue therapy prematurely. In chronic conditions, withdrawal of treatment should be carried out by gradually decreasing the frequency of applications.

How is FML Ophthalmic Ointment supplied

FML® (fluorometholone ophthalmic ointment) 0.1% is supplied in a collapsible aluminum tube with a black low density polyethylene screw cap in the following size: 3.5 g in 3.5 g tube – NDC 0023-0316-04

Storage:

Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F). Avoid exposure to temperatures above 40°C (104°F).

Revised: 06/2018

Distributed by:
Allergan USA, Inc.
Madison, NJ 07940

© 2018 Allergan. All rights reserved.

FML® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.

Allergan® and its design are trademarks of Allergan, Inc.

ALLERGAN

v1.0USPI0316

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

NDC 0023-0316-04
FML
(fluorometholone
ophthalmic
ointment) 0.1%
Sterile
3.5 g
Rx Only

NDC 0023-0316-04
FML
(fluorometholone 
ophthalmic 
ointment) 0.1%
Sterile
3.5 g
Rx Only

FML
fluorometholone ointment
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:0023-0316
Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMIC
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
FLUOROMETHOLONE (UNII: SV0CSG527L) (FLUOROMETHOLONE - UNII:SV0CSG527L) FLUOROMETHOLONE1 mg in 1 g
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
PHENYLMERCURIC ACETATE (UNII: OSX88361UX)
MINERAL OIL (UNII: T5L8T28FGP)
PETROLATUM (UNII: 4T6H12BN9U)
LANOLIN ALCOHOLS (UNII: 884C3FA9HE)
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:0023-0316-041 in 1 CARTON12/09/1985
13.5 g in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
NDANDA01776012/09/1985
Labeler - Allergan, Inc. (144796497)

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