Pred Forte - has anyone heard of these eye drops making you feel sick?

Me too. I'm on day 4 of the 3 eye drops (steroid, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic) and woke up to a gurgling stomach and nausea. I sat up and took Tums and it settled down a little. Googling around, I learned that the steroids kill off natural enzymes in the stomach along with causing acid to build up so I took Papaya Enzymes (you can get them on Amazon and health food stores that carry supplements) and Tums and it's better. I'm also going to take the advice of another poster and keep the drops out of my tear ducts and wipe any residual drops off my skin with water.

I’m only just seeing this question (January 2025) and I’m here to say this is EXACTLY what I’m going through after cataract surgery on each eye, one week apart. I’m using the drops and I cannot sleep, my stomach is upset, cramping, I’m nauseated, I feel weak and overall SICK. I didn’t have any of this until I began using these drops in my eyes after my eye surgery! We should be informed that these ARE side effects if these eye drops!

I am just seeing this thread now, after 4 weeks of taking the Pred Forte, oflaxacin and ketorolac post-cataract and retina surgeries. All in all been taking them for over a month. I asked my doctors twice about the reactions I felt I was having. Severe nausea, breathless, sleepless, terrible stomach issues and bloat. He literally shrugged it off. Like he'd never heard of it before. I finally googled it and saw so many online complaints of all the same issues. I am calling to ask if I can stop taking them. The surgeries and then the drug reactions have completely upended my life for over a month now and I am so glad ( well, not glad)I looked online to see others with the same issues, for years! Shame on the surgeons for not understanding the side effects.

Yes absolutely-queasy and loose bowels. Helps (the queasy) to have toast or something beforehand. The taste going down throat from the sinuses is real also.

Yes, this is happening to me! Had first cat procedure 5 days ago and am on the first week of 4 drops per day. Tapers down over the next 3 weeks but other eye is to be done this week and will be on 4 a day the first week for that eye. Between the two, I will be up to 7 total drops a day starting later this week. Stomach cramps, nausea, dizziness, gas, etc. everything mentioned here. I taste it in my throat after putting in the drops. My Rx is called Predmoxibromfen. It is compounded into one bottle and is a steroid, an NSAID, and an antibiotic. I will mention these side effects when I go in for the second eye. Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I am Female, age 66.

Hello. I have experienced the same symptoms from all types of eye drops including lubricating drops. Some doctors told me it was impossible. Thought it was me. Glad I found this post. Every time I add any type of eye drop it goes down the back of my through and upsets my stomach. Using Cequa now and it’s really taking a toll on my stomach. Hope this helps.

Yes. It made me horribly sick, and my Dr didn’t believe me either. I had severe diarrhea, brain fog. I insisted my Dr give me something else, and they did but I switched to otc contact/ natural tears solution.

Drs say you can't get sick from eye drops they are full of crap. I got sick from the eye drops I was taking before cataract surgery. I stopped using the eye drops within 2 days I was feeling better. I injured my eye not long ago the Dr prescribed ocuflox eye drops 4x a day. I got so sick I couldn't even hold water down. My son called the Dr the Dr said the eye drops can't make anyone sick. I stopped the eye drops with 2 days I felt better. Eye drops CAN make you sick. When I use the eye drops I can feel and taste the drops going down my throat. Don't let anyone tell you eye drops can't make you sick

I am so relieved to read these posts! I’ve been using Prednisolone suspension drops 3 weeks post cat surgery on right eye. I have been feeling progressively more nauseous and dizzy. All the same symptoms as taking oral prednisone. I feel depressed and I have a headache. Also constipation and feel sick and tired - I’m normally full of energy! During the last week, also experiencing insomnia that makes me wake up at 3 or 4 am and not be able to get back to sleep. Strangest of all, I keep smelling a fruity odor on my skin. Left eye cat surgery is this Friday and I’ll have to start the drops again. Do I really have to use these for another month??

Yes, it happened to me for both eyes. I needed stitches for each new lens and this requires drops several Times daily for many days. I suffered uncomfortable stomach reaction until I finished the dosage. Tell your doctor you have evidence of others having similar problems. It was this site that gave me the evidence since many people had similar reactions. My doctor said it's possible cause the eye duc empties into the throat.

Yes, I've experienced the same thing and have confirmed the drops are causing it. All aspects of my life have deteriorated since beginning the therapy with Prednisolone drops. Emotional outlook, physical capacity, general well being, attitude etc. all have deteriorated. Plus the drops have not yielded the desired theraputeic response. I stopped using them yesterday, I suspect my life will be back to normal in a couple days. Don't worry - it's the drops causing the "sick" feeling, not something else!

Thank you all for your comments. I had cataract surgery two weeks ago on my right eye and I’m getting my left eye done tomorrow. Everyday and every time I use the prednisone eye drops I taste it and I get nauseous enough to use my 8mg Zofran. I suffer chronic nausea for more than 15 years. I built up a high tolerance to deal with it so I don’t have to take it as often; but every single time I use the drops I have to use the Zofran. Thanks again. We’re not crazy.

I am taking 3 types drops for cataract surgery; ketorolac,olfoxacin,and prednisone acetate. I started experiencing gerd symptoms about a week into the 4 week regiment. I asked eye Dr and he said yes the drops can cause described symptoms. He advises to use the technique already mentioned to limit the amount that leaks down your throat through eye ducts. I pray it works.