Medicines Used to Treat Uveitis

Steroid Medicines

Nonsteroid Anti-Inflammatory Medicine

Medicines that Suppress the Immune System

Possible Side Effects of Treatment to Suppress the Immune System

Steroid Medicines Used to Treat Uveitis

Corticosteroids

Medicine	Brand Name
Dexamethasone alcohol	Maxidex
Dexamethasone Sodium phosphate	Decadron Phosphate
Prednisolone Acetate	Pred Forte, Econopret Plus, AK-Tate, Pred Mild, Econopred
Prednisolon Sodium phosphate	Inflamase Forte, AK-Pred, Hydeltrasol, Inflamase Mild, AK-Pred, Hydeltrasol
Fluoromethalone alcohol	FML
Medroxyprogesterone Acetate	Provera
Medrysone Alcohol	HMS
Rimexolone	Vexol
Loteprednol

Injected Corticosteroid Medicine

Medicine	Brand Name
Hydrocortisone	Hydrocortisone Sodium Succinate
Methylprednisolone sodium succinate	Solu-Medrol
Methylprednisolone acetate	Depo-Medrol
Triamcinolone Diacetate	Artisocort
Triamcinolone Acetonide	Kenalog
Dexamethasone Acetate	Decadron-LA
Dexamethasone sodium acetate	Decadron Phosphate
Betamethasone acetate and sodium phosphate	Celestone Soluspan

top of page

Oral Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Medicine

Drug type	Generic	Brand Name
Salicylates	Aspirin	Many
	Diflunisal	Dolobid
Fenamates	Mefenamate	Pronstel
Indoles	Indomethacin	Indocin
	Solindac	Clinoril
	Tolmetrin	Tolectin
Phenylacetic acids	Diclofenac	Voltaren
Phenylalkanoic acids	Fenoprofen	Nalfon
	Ketoprofen	Oridus
	Piroxicam	Feldene
	Flurbiprofen	Ansaid
	Ketorolac	Toradol
	Naproxen	Naprosyn
	Ibuprofen	Motrin, Rufen, Advil, Nuprin
Pyrazolones	Phenylbutazone	Butazolidin
	Oxyphenylbutazone	Tendearil, Osalid
Para-aminophenols	Acetaminophen	Many
Cox-2 inhibitors	Celecoxib	Celebrex

top of page

Medicines that Suppress the Immune System (immunomodulatory therapy)

Medicines that suppress the body’s immune response can help save the sight of patients with some kinds of uveitis.

Antimetabolites

• Azathioprine (Imuran)
• Methotrexate (Rheumatrex)
• Mycophenolate Mofetil (Cellcept)

T Cell Inhibitors

• Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• Tacrolimus (Prograf)

Alkylating Agents

• Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
• Cyclophophamide (Cytoxan)

Biologics

• Infliximab (Remicade)
• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Interferon (Avonex)
• Daclizumab (Zenapax)
• Alefacept (Amevive)
• Efalizumab (Raptiva)

top of page

Possible Side Effects of Treatment to Suppress the Immune System

The side effects described here will not affect everyone. Following are the most common and the less common side effects. We have not included those that are very rare and for that reason are very unlikely to affect you. If you do notice any effects which you think may be due to a medicine you are taking for uveitis, but which are not listed here, please discuss them with your doctor.

Side effects of Alkylating Agents (Cyclophosphamide/Chloramubcil)

Common side effects:

• Temporary reduction in the production of blood cells. This can result in tiredness; an increased risk of bruising or bleeding and an increased risk of infection.
• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)
• Loss of appetite
• Irritation of the bladder lining
• Temporary hair loss

Less common side effects:

• Temporary changes in the way your liver works
• Sore mouth and taste change
• Diarrhea
• Changes in nails
• Skin changes
• Changes to the lungs. Tell your doctor if you notice coughing or breathlessness.
• Cancer. There is a very small risk of developing a cancer after many years if this drug is taken long-term.
• Changes to your heart. This is very uncommon with standard doses.

Additional information:

Always tell your doctor about any medicine you are taking.

Fertility: Your ability to become pregnant or father a child may be affected by taking this drug. Discuss fertility with your doctor before starting treatment.

Pregnancy: Cyclophosphamide may harm a developing fetus. Discuss this with your doctor.

top of page

Side effects of Antimetabolites

Methotrexate

Possible side effects:

• Reduction in the production of blood cells. This can result in tiredness, increased risk of bruising or bleeding and an increased risk of infection.
• Sore mouth and taste change
• Diarrhea
• Tiredness/feeling of weakness
• Temporary skin changes
• Kidney damage. This is not common with standard doses.
• Inflammation of the cornea/feeling of grit in the eyes

Less common side effects:

• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)
• Blurred vision. Methotrexate may affect your sight. Tell your doctor about any eye pain or vision changes.
• Hair loss
• Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• Rash
• Changes to the lungs. Tell your doctor if you notice coughing or breathlessness.
• Temporary changes in the way your liver works
• Allergic reaction

Azathioprine

Possible side effects:

• Reduction in the production of blood cells. This can result in tiredness, increased risk of bruising or bleeding and an increased risk of infection.
• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)

Mycophenolate Mofetil

Possible side effects:

• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)
• Diarrhea
• Rash

top of page

Side Effects of T Cell Inhibitors

Cyclosporine/Tacrolimus

Possible side effects:

• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)
• Diarrhea
• Headache

You may also be at increased risk of infections or other illnesses. Call your doctor if you experience fever, chills, weakness; unusual bruising; swollen glands, skin growths, chest pain, more frequent or painful urination; swelling of the hands or feet; difficulty breathing, or upset stomach.

top of page

Side Effects of Biologics

Infliximab

Possible Side Effects:

• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)

Call your doctor if you experience: fever, chills, headache, chest pain, cough, sore throat, unusual tiredness, stomach pain, unusual vaginal discharge or white patches in the mouth.

Less common side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Joint/muscle pain
• Mental/mood changes
• Changes in skin appearance
• Painful urination
• Increased urgency/frequency of urination
• Easy bruising or bleeding

Etanercept

Possible Side Effects:

• Colds
• Cough
• Headache
• Feeling sick (nausea and vomiting)

Less common side effects:

Tell your doctor right away if you experience

• Chest pain
• Stomach pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Rash

Rare side effects:

Tell your doctor right away if you experience

• Tingling of the hands or feet
• Unsteadiness
• Muscle weakness
• Vision changes
• Easy bruising or bleeding

top of page