Maxidex (Dexamethasone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Maxidex Used For?
Maxidex is a corticosteroid eye drop that contains dexamethasone as its active ingredient. It’s specifically designed to treat inflammatory conditions of the eye.
Primary Uses
Maxidex is used to treat certain inflammatory eye conditions and injury of the cornea caused by chemical burns, heat burns, or foreign bodies.
How It Works
As a corticosteroid, Maxidex helps reduce swelling and relieves symptoms such as redness and soreness of the eyes by controlling inflammation.
Good to know: Maxidex is specifically formulated for eye use only and helps provide targeted relief for inflammatory eye conditions.
How to Take Maxidex
Maxidex should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dosage depends on the severity of your condition.
Dosage Instructions
Use one or two drops in the affected eye(s) as prescribed by your doctor. For severe conditions, your doctor may advise hourly use. For mild conditions, drops may be used 4-6 times daily. Always shake the bottle well before use, remove contact lenses before application, and wait 15 minutes before reinserting them.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, apply the drops as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as normal.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Discard the eye drops 4 weeks after opening.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Discomfort in eye(s)
- Feeling that something is in your eye(s)
- Excessive secretion of tears from the eye(s)
- Blurred vision
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Eye irritation
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eye(s)
- Itching in eye(s)
- Abnormal sensation in eye
- Crustiness of eyelid(s)
- Dizziness
- Headache
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Increase in eye pressure
- Taste disturbance or loss of taste
- Allergic reactions (shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, rash, hives)
- Cushing’s syndrome symptoms (weight gain of body and face, muscle weakness, acne, pink or purple stretch marks)
- Extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, irritability, weight loss, feeling sick
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Maxidex should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Maxidex
Do not use if you’re allergic to dexamethasone or any ingredients, if you have viral eye infections, tuberculosis of the eye, fungal eye diseases, untreated parasitic eye infections, mycobacterial eye infections, or untreated bacterial eye infections. Not recommended for children and elderly patients.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have dry eye, eye pain, vision problems, corneal issues, family or personal history of glaucoma, high myopia, diabetes, or liver/kidney problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Maxidex is not recommended in pregnant women. If you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Infection Risk: Maxidex may mask infections and prolonged use may suppress the immune system, leading to further eye infections.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Maxidex and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like salicylates, ibuprofen, or aspirin
- Other corticosteroids or steroid medicines
- Ritonavir or cobicistat (drugs used to treat viral infections)
- Anticholinergic medicines like atropine
Alcohol & Driving
Maxidex may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery due to potential vision problems.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Maxidex may cause temporary blurred vision or other vision problems that can affect your ability to drive or use machines. If blurred vision occurs after use, wait until your vision clears before driving or using machinery.
Storage
Store Maxidex below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use and out of reach of children. Discard 4 weeks after opening.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Maxidex, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. If you accidentally use several drops, immediately wash your eyes with lukewarm water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Maxidex begins working to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms like redness and soreness relatively quickly, but the exact timing depends on the severity of your condition and individual response.
No, you must remove soft contact lenses before using Maxidex. Wait 15 minutes after using the eye drops before putting your contact lenses back in, as benzalkonium chloride in Maxidex can cause eye irritation and discolor soft contact lenses.
If you miss a dose, apply the drops as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular schedule. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as normal. Never take a double dose.
Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use and discard 4 weeks after opening.
No, do not stop using Maxidex suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions for discontinuing the medication.
Blurred vision is a common side effect. If it occurs, wait until your vision clears before driving or using machinery. If vision problems persist or worsen, contact your doctor.
If you need to use other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes after using Maxidex. Eye ointments should be used last. Always consult your doctor about using multiple eye medications.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.