Medication

Prolensa

Generic name: bromfenac sodium · Brand names: Prolensa

Information sourced from FDA Structured Product Labeling, updated May 5, 2026.

What is it used for?

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE PROLENSA ® is indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract surgery. PROLENSA is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract surgery.

How to take it

Instill one drop into the affected eye once daily beginning 1 day prior to surgery, continued on the day of surgery, and through the first 14 days postsurgery.

Recommended Dosage Apply

one drop to the affected eye once daily beginning 1 day prior to cataract surgery, continued on the day of surgery, and through the first 14 days of the postoperative period.

Use with Other Topical Ophthalmic Medications

PROLENSA may be administered in conjunction with other topical ophthalmic medications such as alpha agonists, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cycloplegics, and mydriatics. Drops should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.

Warnings

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Sulfite Allergic Reactions • Slow or Delayed Healing • Potential for Cross-Sensitivity • Increased Bleeding Time • Keratitis and Corneal Reactions

Sulfite Allergic Reactions

PROLENSA contains sodium sulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic people.

Slow or Delayed Healing All

topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including bromfenac, may slow or delay healing. Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing. Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems.

Potential for Cross-Sensitivity There

is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other NSAIDs, including bromfenac. Therefore, caution should be used when treating individuals who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs.

Increased Bleeding Time With

some NSAIDs, including bromfenac, there exists the potential for increased bleeding time due to interference with platelet aggregation. There have been reports that ocularly applied NSAIDs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery. It is recommended that PROLENSA ophthalmic solution be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time.

Keratitis and Corneal Reactions Use of

topical NSAIDs, including bromfenac, may result in keratitis. In some susceptible patients, continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration or corneal perforation. These events may be sight threatening. Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs, including bromfenac, and should be closely monitored for corneal health.

Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients with complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface diseases (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events which may become sight threatening. Topical NSAIDs should be used with caution in these patients. Postmarketing experience with topical NSAIDs also suggests that use more than 24 hours prior to surgery or use beyond 14 days postsurgery may increase patient risk for the occurrence and severity of corneal adverse events.

Risk of Contamination Do

not touch dropper tip to the eye, eyelids, or to any surface, as this may contaminate the contents. Replace the bottle cap after using.

Contact Lens Wear

PROLENSA should not be instilled while wearing contact lenses. Remove contact lenses prior to instillation of PROLENSA. The preservative in PROLENSA, benzalkonium chloride, may be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Lenses may be reinserted after 10 minutes following administration of PROLENSA.

Who should not take it

None. None.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Risk Summary There

are no available data on PROLENSA use in pregnant women to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The systemic exposure to bromfenac following topical ocular administration is low . Consequently, the systemic exposure of a pregnant woman to bromfenac is expected to be minimal following topical ocular administration. However, because of the known effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis-inhibiting drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), the use of PROLENSA during late pregnancy should be avoided.

The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Clinical Considerations Premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the fetus has occurred with third trimester use of oral and injectable NSAIDs. Measurable maternal and fetal plasma drug levels are available with oral and injectable routes of NSAID administration. The maternal plasma level of PROLENSA following ocular administration is unknown . Data Animal Data Embryo-fetal lethality and maternal toxicity were produced in rats and rabbits treated with bromfenac during the period of organogenesis at oral doses up to 0.9 mg/kg/day and 7.5 mg/kg/day, respectively.

These doses corresponded to a Cmax 90- and 150- times the predicted Cmax at the recommended human ophthalmic dose (RHOD), respectively. In rats, bromfenac treatment caused delayed parturition at 0.3 mg/kg/day (30 times the predicted human Cmax at the RHOD), and caused dystocia, increased neonatal mortality, and reduced postnatal growth at 0.9 mg/kg/day (90 times the predicted human Cmax at the RHOD).

Side effects

The most commonly reported adverse reactions in 3% to 8% of patients were anterior chamber inflammation, foreign body sensation, eye pain, photophobia, and blurred vision. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated, at 1 ‑ 800-553-5340 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Clinical Trials Experience Because

clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most commonly reported adverse reactions following use of PROLENSA following cataract surgery include: anterior chamber inflammation, foreign body sensation, eye pain, photophobia, and vision blurred. These reactions were reported in 3% to 8% of patients.

All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling.