INN monograph
Bromfenac
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Sulfite Allergic Reactions (5.1) Slow or Delayed Healing (5.2) Potential for cross-sensitivity (5.3) Increase bleeding of ocular tissues (5.4) Corneal effects including keratitis (5.5) Contact Lens Wear (5.6) 5.1 Sulfite Allergic Reactions Contains sodium sulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people.
- The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown and probably low.
- Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in non-asthmatic people. 5.2 Slow or Delayed Healing All topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may slow or delay healing.
- Topical corticosteroids are also known to slow or delay healing.
- Concomitant use of topical NSAIDs and topical steroids may increase the potential for healing problems. 5.3 Potential for Cross-Sensitivity There is the potential for cross-sensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid, phenylacetic acid derivatives, and other NSAIDs.
- Therefore, caution should be used when treating individuals who have previously exhibited sensitivities to these drugs. 5.4 Increased Bleeding Time With some NSAIDs, there exists the potential for increased bleeding time due to interference with platelet aggregation.
- There have been reports that ocularly applied NSAIDs may cause increased bleeding of ocular tissues (including hyphemas) in conjunction with ocular surgery.
- It is recommended that bromfenac ophthalmic solution be used with caution in patients with known bleeding tendencies or who are receiving other medications which may prolong bleeding time. 5.5 Keratitis and Corneal Reactions Use of topical NSAIDs may result in keratitis.
- In some susceptible patients, continued use of topical NSAIDs may result in epithelial breakdown, corneal thinning, corneal erosion, corneal ulceration or corneal perforation.
- These events may be sight threatening.
- Patients with evidence of corneal epithelial breakdown should immediately discontinue use of topical NSAIDs and should be closely monitored for corneal health.
- Post-marketing experience with topical NSAIDs suggests that patients with complicated ocular surgeries, corneal denervation, corneal epithelial defects, diabetes mellitus, ocular surface diseases (e.g., dry eye syndrome), rheumatoid arthritis, or repeat ocular surgeries within a short period of time may be at increased risk for corneal adverse events which may become sight threatening.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instill one drop into the affected eye once daily beginning 1 day prior to surgery, continued on the day of surgery and through the first 14 days post-surgery (2.1) . 2.1 Recommended Dosing For the treatment of postoperative inflammation in patients who have undergone cataract extraction, one drop of bromfenac ophthalmic solution should be applied to the affected eye once daily beginning 1 day prior to cataract surgery, continued on the day of surgery, and through the first 14 days of the postoperative period. 2.2 Use with Other Topical Ophthalmic Medications Bromfenac ophthalmic solution may be administered in conjunction with other topical ophthalmic medications such as alpha-agonists, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cycloplegics, and mydriatics. Drops should be administered at least 5 minutes apart.
Paediatric
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy in pediatric patients below the age of 18 have not been established.
Renal
Review renal impairment dosing; many agents need CrCl/eGFR adjustment.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Review hepatic impairment dosing; monitor LFTs if agent is hepatically cleared or hepatotoxic.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- 6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The most commonly reported adverse reactions in 2-7% of patients were abnormal sensation in eye, conjunctival hyperemia and eye irritation (including burning/stinging) (6.1) .
- To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Sentiss at 1-855-473-6847 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience The most commonly reported adverse experiences reported following use of bromfenac after cataract surgery include: abnormal sensation in eye, conjunctival hyperemia, eye irritation (including burning/stinging), eye pain, eye pruritus, eye redness, headache, and iritis.
- These events were reported in 2-7% of patients. 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience The following events have been identified during post-marketing use of bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% in clinical practice.
- Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made.
- The events, which have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, possible causal connection to topical bromfenac ophthalmic solution 0.09% or a combination of these factors, include corneal erosion, corneal perforation, corneal thinning, and epithelial breakdown. [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ]
Use
Indications
- 1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Bromfenac Ophthalmic Solution 0.09% is indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract surgery.
- Bromfenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indicated for the treatment of postoperative inflammation and reduction of ocular pain in patients who have undergone cataract extraction (1) .
Pharmacology
Mode of action
12.
Full mechanism text
12.1 Mechanism of Action Bromfenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanism of its action is thought to be due to its ability to block prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase 1 and 2. Prostaglandins have been shown in many animal models to be mediators of certain kinds of intraocular inflammation. In studies performed in animal eyes, prostaglandins have been shown to produce disruption of the blood-aqueous humor barrier, vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, leukocytosis, and increased intraocular pressure.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | OPHTHALMIC |
Full PK/PD text
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 12.1 Mechanism of Action Bromfenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory activity. The mechanism of its action is thought to be due to its ability to block prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting cyclooxygenase 1 and 2. Prostaglandins have been shown in many animal models to be mediators of certain kinds of intraocular inflammation. In studies performed in animal eyes, prostaglandins have been shown to produce disruption of the blood-aqueous humor barrier, vasodilation, increased vascular permeability, leukocytosis, and increased intraocular pressure. 12.3 Pharmacokinetics The plasma concentration of bromfenac following ocular administration of Bromfenac Ophthalmic Solution 0.09% in humans is unknown. Based on the maximum proposed dose of one drop to the eye (0.045 mg) and PK information from other routes of administration, the systemic concentration of bromfenac is estimated to be below the limit of quantification (50 ng/mL) at steady-state in humans.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unibrom | Ajanta Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| UNIBROM EYE | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | DROPS 5ML | 542.66 |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
8.1 Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C Reproduction studies performed in rats at oral doses up to 0.9 mg/kg/day (1300 times the recommended human ophthalmic dose [RHOD]) and in rabbits at oral doses up to 7.5 mg/kg/day (11,000 times RHOD) revealed no evidence of teratogenicity due to bromfenac. However, 0.9 mg/kg/day in rats caused embryo-fetal lethality, increased neonatal mortality, and reduced postnatal growth. Pregnant rabbits treated with 7.5 mg/kg/day caused increased post-implantation loss. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Nonteratogenic Effects Because of the known effects of prostaglandin biosynthesis-inhibiting drugs on the fetal cardiovascular system (closure of ductus arteriosus), the use of bromfenac ophthalmic solution during late pregnancy should be avoided.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.