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Data updated: May 26, 2026

LOTEMAX (loteprednol etabonate)

Pain Approved 1998-03-09

Lotemax is an eye ointment used for patients who have recently undergone ocular surgery. It helps manage the swelling and discomfort that typically occur after these procedures. Doctors prescribe this medication to reduce inflammation and help patients recover more comfortably following their operation.

Source: FDA Label • BAUSCH AND LOMB

How LOTEMAX Works

This drug works by binding to and activating glucocorticoid receptors to suppress the body's inflammatory response. It prevents various processes like swelling, capillary dilation, and scar formation while also inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. By blocking these inflammatory pathways, the medication effectively controls pain and edema in the eye.

4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
28
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1998-03-09
Routes
OPHTHALMIC
Dosage Forms
OINTMENT, SUSPENSION/DROPS, GEL

LOTEMAX Approval History

1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
13 FDA actions from 1998 to 2020 · 1 indication expansions
Dec 2020 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jul 2018 SUPPL
Efficacy
Dec 2013 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What LOTEMAX Treats

2 indications

LOTEMAX is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 1998. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Inflammation
  • Pain
Source: FDA Label

LOTEMAX Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

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Clinical Trial Registry

14 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT02120079 results posted 13-150H Ph 4 completed The Utility of IVCM to Assess Cellular Response and Efficacy of Long-term Topical Steroid Treatment in Patients With DED
NCT04555694 results posted TC-2020-DexRes Ph 4 completed Comparing Treatment of Dry Eye With Intracanalicular Dexamethasone, Restasis, and/or Lotemax
NCT01437982 628 Ph 4 completed A Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Lotemax Ophthalmic Suspension 0.5%
NCT01817582 results posted 813 Ph 2 completed Lotemax® Gel 0.5% and Restasis 0.05% in Participants With Mild or Moderate Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (Dry Eye Disease)
NCT01443442 results posted MAC-06-11 Ph 4 completed Bepreve vs. Alrex in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Allergic Conjunctivitis
NCT01475643 results posted 670 Ph 3 completed Loteprednol vs Prednisolone for the Treatment of Intraocular Inflammation Following Cataract Surgery in Children.
NCT03098953 881 Ph 1 completed Evaluation of the Safety, Systemic Pharmacokinetics, and Tolerability of Single and Repeat Ocular Installations
NCT01853696 results posted 2013-0424 Ph 4 completed Comparison of Corticosteroid Dosing Regimens After Endothelial Keratoplasty
NCT00699153 results posted 526 Ph 3 completed Loteprednol Etabonate in an Ophthalmic Base vs Vehicle for the Treatment of Inflammation Following Cataract Surgery
NCT00705159 results posted 550 Ph 4 completed Safety and Efficacy of Zylet vs Lotemax, Tobramycin and Vehicle in Pediatric Blepharoconjunctivitis
NCT02028312 CEI.HER-002 Ph 4 withdrawn A Phase IV, Randomized, Parallel Group, Investigator-Masked Evaluation of the Effect of Loteprednol Etabonate Ophthalmic Gel 0.5% on the Initiation of Dry Eye Treatment With Restasis®
NCT01724892 othana001 Ph 4 completed Comparison the Effects of Dexamethasone and Loteprednol on Epithelial Healing
NCT01060072 results posted 577 Ph 3 completed Evaluation of Loteprednol Etabonate Versus Vehicle for the Treatment of Inflammation and Pain Following Cataract Surgery
NCT01010633 results posted 576 Ph 3 completed Loteprednol Etabonate Versus Vehicle for the Treatment of Inflammation and Pain Following Cataract Surgery
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

LOTEMAX FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

LOTEMAX is indicated for the treatment of Inflammation; Pain.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.