Loteprednol etabonate: a review of ophthalmic clinical studies.

Loteprednol etabonate (LE) is a corticosteroid designed using the "soft drug" concept of Bodor. LE has been extensively evaluated as a treatment for ophthalmic inflammatory conditions. LE is administered as a sterile eye drop suspension and is commercially available as either a 0.5% or a 0.2% suspension. Lotemax (0.5% LE) has been demonstrated as effective in reducing the signs and symptoms of giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), acute anterior uveitis and inflammation following cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. It is also effective for the prophylaxis of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) in patients with a history of that condition. Alrex (0.2% LE) is effective for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of SAC. In comparison with other steroids LE has a superior safety profile which has been attributed to its "soft drug" characteristics.