Question Regarding Dosing Prednisolone Eye Drops Four Times Daily

In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist clarifies the dosing of prednisolone eye drops that were prescribed to be used four times daily.

Question

Hi, I have been prescribed prednisolone eye drops for an eye infection. The label and my doctor told me to apply them to my eye four times a day. I just am not sure what that means exactly. Does it mean every 6 hours or just during the hours I'm awake?

Asked by Alex On May 25, 2024

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published May 26, 2024
Last updated Feb 15, 2025

Answer

Thanks for your question!

If you have been prescribed prednisolone eye drops to be administered four times daily, it generally means dosing them four times, as evenly spaced as possible, within your waking hours. Unless specifically instructed otherwise by your doctor, there is typically no need to wake up in the middle of the night to administer your drops.

Being prescribed prednisolone eye drops four times daily aligns with the dosage instructions in the prescribing information for the drug:

Shake well before using. Instill one to two drops into the conjunctival sac two to four times daily.
Pred Forte Ophthalmic Drops Prescribing Information

Dosing four times a day is recommended due to the duration of the drug's effectiveness in treating the inflammation in your eye caused by your infection. The drops work locally in the eye's tissues and are broken down there. They control the biosynthesis of potent mediators of inflammation, which will (hopefully) help relieve some of the discomfort you are feeling in your eye.

If you have any further questions or concerns about your medication, it's always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider. We are always more than happy to answer any additional questions you have as well.

Thanks for reaching out!

References

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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