Loteprednol etabonate formulated with MPP technology effective in dry eye disease

USA: A review, published in the Dove press journal Clinical Ophthalmology, has described the use of a commercially available formulation of loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic suspension (0.25%) for the treatment of acute symptoms of dry eye disease (DED). It found that the unique formulation is well-suited for dry eye flare-ups. 

Dry eye disease is a prevelant disease of ocular surface. Patients with DED can get episodic flares, like any chronic disease. For the chronic treatment of DED, there are many existing and upcoming treatments, yet treatments for DED flares are limited. Loteprednol etabonate 0.25% is approved by FDA for the short-term treatment of the signs and symptoms of DED. 

Formulation of this medications is with the customized mucus-penetrating particle (MPP) technology that has a significant ability to penetrate the ocular surface for effective deliver of the active steroid to the ocular surface tissues as compared with conventional steroid preparations. The MPP technology involves engineering nanoparticles designed to effectively penetrate mucus and prevent entrapment of drug particles by mucins. Also, there is an increasing use of loteprednol etabonate 0.25% for the treatment of DED before and/or after cataract or refractive surgery or as induction therapy before starting chronic immunomodulatory medication for DED.