indication

Used as eye drops to inhibit the miosis (pupil constriction) that may occur during ocular surgery.

pharmacology

Suprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic and antipyretic. Ophthalmic anti-inflammatory medicines are used in the eye to lessen problems that can occur during or after some kinds of eye surgery. Sometimes, the pupil of the eye gets smaller during an operation (pupil constriction), making it more difficult for the surgeon to reach some areas of the eye. Suprofen is used to help prevent this.

mechanism of action

Suprofen binds to the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) isoenzymes, preventing the synthesis of prostaglandins and reducing the inflammatory response. Cyclooxygenase catalyses the formation of prostaglandins and thromboxane from arachidonic acid (itself derived from the cellular phospholipid bilayer by phospholipase A₂). Prostaglandins act (among other things) as messenger molecules in the process of inflammation. The overall result is a reduction in pain and inflammation in the eyes and the prevention of pupil constriction during surgery. Normally trauma to the anterior segment of the eye (especially the iris) increases endogenous prostaglandin synthesis which leads to constriction of the iris sphincter.

toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include bleeding in the eye or redness or swelling of the eye or the eyelid, blurred vision or other change in vision, fever or chills, itching or tearing, nausea or vomiting, pain, sensitivity to light, shortness of breath, sticky or matted eyelashes, swelling of face, throbbing pain, tightness in chest, troubled breathing, and wheezing.

biotransformation

Primarily hepatic (mainly via cytochrome P450 isozyme 2C9).