Nepafenac

The Basics

What is Nepafenac?

A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, usually sold as a prescription eye drop 0.1% solution or 0.3% solution, used to treat pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery.

Brand names for Nepafenac

Ilevro, Nevanac

How Nepafenac is classified

Analgesic Agents, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Agents

Nepafenac During Pregnancy

Nepafenac pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Nepafenac while pregnant

Reproduction studies performed with nepafenac in rabbits and rats at oral doses up to 10mg/kg/day have revealed no evidence of teratogenicity due to nepafenac, despite the induction of maternal toxicity.At this dose, the animal plasma exposure to nepafenac and amfenac was approximately 260 and 2400 times humanplasma exposure at the recommended human topical ophthalmic dose for rats and 80 and 680 times human plasmaexposure for rabbits, respectively. In rats, maternally toxic doses ≥_10 mg/kg were associated with dystocia,increased postimplantation loss, reduced fetal weights and growth, and reduced fetal survival.Nepafenac has been shown to cross the placental barrier in rats. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies inpregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, NEVANAC®should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.Non-teratogenic Effects.Because of the known effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis inhibiting drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system(closure of the ductus arteriosus), the use of NEVANAC® during late pregnancy should be avoided.

Taking Nepafenac While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Nepafenac?

No information is available on the clinical use of nepafenac during breastfeeding. Maternal use of nepafenac eye drops would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of nepafenac during breastfeeding. Maternal use of nepafenac eye drops would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. To substantially diminish the amount of drug that reaches the breastmilk after using eye drops, place pressure over the tear duct by the corner of the eye for 1 minute or more, then remove the excess solution with an absorbent tissue.

Possible effects of Nepafenac on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Nepafenac

(Ophthalmic) Ketorolac.