Omidria

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Omidria

Treatment option: Pain, Cataract, Surgery

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Omidria

Property Description
Active Ingredients Ketorolac tromethamine, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
Form Concentrate for solution for intraocular irrigation
Pharmacological Class Ophthalmic Surgical Agent (NSAID + alpha1-Adrenergic Agonist)
General Purpose Maintenance of pupil dilation during surgery
Origin Synthetic, Prescription-only (Rx)

Omidria is a specialized Ophthalmic Surgical Agent, defined as a synthetic, fixed-dose combination drug used specifically during certain intraocular procedures, such as cataract or lens replacement surgery. This medicine is unique in its classification because it is formulated to simultaneously address two primary intraoperative needs: controlling inflammation and actively managing pupil size to stabilize the surgical environment during delicate procedures.

Composition and Preparation

The two active ingredients in Omidria are Ketorolac tromethamine and Phenylephrine Hydrochloride. Ketorolac is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID), and Phenylephrine belongs to the class of alpha1-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists. The combination is distinguished by its unique presentation as a sterile aqueous concentrate for solution for intraocular irrigation, which must be diluted into the standard irrigation fluid used during the procedure. This delivery method ensures direct and uniform application of the active components throughout the operative field, unlike common topical drops which rely on surface absorption.

Dual Therapeutic Goal

The general purpose of Omidria is to maintain intraoperative mydriasis (pupil dilation) and prevent miosis (pupil constriction) caused by surgical manipulation. The combined action of the two agents stabilizes the surgical environment by ensuring the pupil remains consistently wide open, which is essential for clear visibility and maneuvering. The preparation is also intended to reduce acute, localized inflammation and discomfort that follows surgical stress.

What side effects are possible with Omidria?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

Omidria's official safety profile, as documented in regulatory prescribing information, outlines adverse reactions primarily categorized as Ocular Events due to its specific intraocular route of administration. These events are grouped by frequency based on clinical trials and regulatory standards.

Common Adverse Reactions

Adverse reactions classified as common often involve localized effects in the eye. These include Anterior Chamber Inflammation, Increased Intraocular Pressure, Posterior Capsule Opacification, Eye Irritation, Foreign Body Sensation in Eyes, Eye pain, and Conjunctival hyperaemia. Reactions such as Headache and Nausea are documented as uncommon, according to European regulatory classifications.

Systemic Safety and Serious Reactions

Because the medicine is a fixed combination of phenylephrine (an alpha1-adrenergic agonist) and ketorolac (a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug or NSAID), the regulatory labeling includes warnings for potential systemic effects. Serious risks associated with systemic exposure to the components include a potential for elevations in blood pressure and, in cases of overdosage, a documented risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Furthermore, individuals with a history of asthma or known cross-sensitivity to NSAIDs are noted in the safety profile as susceptible to reactions such as bronchospasm related to the ketorolac component.

Population-Specific Safety and Limitations

The medicine is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients. A critical safety consideration is the mandatory avoidance during the third trimester of pregnancy due to the NSAID component’s risk of causing premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus. No dose adjustment is generally anticipated for older adults or those with renal or hepatic impairment.

Overdose and Emergency Response

The official regulatory documents define the overdose profile of Omidria (ketorolac and phenylephrine) primarily around the potential systemic effects of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride and a specific local ocular emergency.

Overdose Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Systemic overdosage associated with the phenylephrine component may present with central nervous system and gastrointestinal symptoms, including headache, anxiety, nausea, and vomiting. The most critical documented manifestation is a rise in blood pressure. Regulators classify potential outcomes as severe, explicitly listing ventricular arrhythmias as a possible complication affecting the cardiovascular system. Due to these potential effects, immediate medical attention is required for any manifestation of systemic overdosage.

Mandated Emergency Actions

The required emergency actions are determined by the type of exposure. For systemic overdosage, supportive care is recommended. The official regulatory labeling further indicates that a rapidly acting alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, such as phentolamine, has been recommended to manage the phenylephrine-related systemic effects.

A distinct local emergency procedure is mandated for the accidental intracameral injection of the concentrated solution (before dilution). In this situation, the regulatory text requires the anterior chamber of the eye to be evacuated immediately and then irrigated with a standard ophthalmological solution. No unique population-specific overdose management considerations are documented in the official regulatory sections.

Therapeutic Uses of Omidria

Omidria is applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, primarily to help manage pupil size during intraocular procedures and to ease symptoms related to physical discomfort after surgery.

The medicine is considered relevant for managing conditions associated with acute or disruptive episodes, such as cataract surgery and intraocular lens replacement procedures. It is used for managing symptoms that may become intense or disruptive, including intraoperative miosis (pupil constriction) and acute postoperative ocular pain, along with symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states.


Procedural Stabilization and Symptom Relief

This medicine is used for managing symptoms that create noticeable physiological strain, such as miosis during surgery. Miosis is a symptom that interferes with daily functioning, especially during the procedure. Omidria is used to support the maintenance of a stable, widely dilated pupil during the procedure. This is relevant in contexts involving heightened systemic burden, such as conditions where symptoms may intensify temporarily, like Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS).

By managing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states that often follow eye surgery, the medicine provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden, helping patients cope more steadily during periods of heightened symptoms in the early recovery phase.


Quick Fact: Symptomatic Support for Acute Postoperative Ocular Pain

Omidria is applied when symptoms may intensify temporarily, and supportive relief is needed for the pain and discomfort that often follow major eye procedures. It is used for managing symptoms that become more disruptive during flare-ups in the immediate post-procedural setting.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use Omidria?

This section defines the officially documented eligibility rules for Omidria based on regulatory labeling.

Contraindications and Restrictions

Classification Population Group or Condition
Absolutely Contraindicated Patients with a known hypersensitivity to any of its active or inactive ingredients.
Regional Contraindication Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma (as per European labeling).
Conditional Use Individuals with a history of asthma or known cross-sensitivity to aspirin or other NSAIDs (requires caution).

Age and Physiological Status Eligibility

Omidria is formally established for use in both the adult and the pediatric population, including infants (from birth through 17 years). No special dose adjustment is required for the geriatric population.

Eligibility is restricted based on reproductive status. Use during late pregnancy should be avoided. The medicine is not recommended for women of childbearing potential not using effective contraception, and it should not be used during breastfeeding (as per European regulatory documents).

Use is not established in patients with a history of uveitis or iris trauma. However, eligibility is not limited by renal or hepatic impairment, as no dose adjustment is anticipated for these conditions.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The interaction profile for Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac injection) is primarily defined by its unique route of administration and localized pharmacodynamic effects. Regulatory authorities classify the systemic risk for drug-drug interactions as low. Because the active components are administered as part of a continuous intraocular irrigation solution during surgery, the minimal and transient systemic exposure of both phenylephrine and ketorolac means that no widespread systemic drug interaction is expected, including those mediated by metabolic pathways or drug transporters.

The officially documented interaction patterns are focused on co-administered agents that affect the eye or cardiovascular system. Pharmacodynamic interactions may occur with medicinal products that alter pupil size. Co-administration with agents such as Opioids (miotics) or non-sedating antihistamines (mydriatics) may alter the overall magnitude of the medicine’s pupil-dilating effect.

Additional pharmacodynamic concerns relate to cardiovascular effects. Due to the phenylephrine component, simultaneous use with Atropine may enhance pressor effects or induce tachycardia. Furthermore, the medicine may potentiate the cardiovascular depressant effects of certain Inhalation anesthetic medicinal products.

A mandatory interaction-related restriction is that Omidria must not be mixed with any medicinal products in the intraocular irrigation solution other than the designated ophthalmic fluid. No mandatory timing-based separation rules or explicit interactions with food, alcohol, or herbal products are documented in the prescribing information.

Mechanism of Action

Omidria operates through the combined, synergistic mechanisms of its two active components, Phenylephrine and Ketorolac, resulting in modulation of iris size and inflammatory mediator levels. The action is divided into two distinct but complementary domains.

Modulation of Iris Smooth Muscle Tone via alpha1-Adrenergic Agonism

This domain is driven by phenylephrine, which acts as an agonist on alpha1-adrenergic receptors located on the iris's radial smooth muscle. This interaction initiates the muscular contraction and engages the local sympathetic pathway, resulting in alpha1-adrenergic-mediated contraction of the radial smooth muscle, promoting pupil dilation (mydriasis).

Interference with Prostaglandin Synthesis via COX Enzyme Inhibition

This domain is governed by ketorolac, a non-selective inhibitor of the Cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes. By blocking the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are local inflammatory mediators, this mechanism eliminates the chemical trigger that causes the iris's sphincter smooth muscle to spasm and constrict. This action supports the maintenance of pupil size and also alters the local nociceptive mediator profile.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines

Omidria is designated for intraocular use only, administered as an irrigation solution within a controlled surgical setting by a qualified ophthalmological surgeon. The medicine is supplied as a sterile concentrate that must be diluted immediately prior to intraocular irrigation.


Dosage and Preparation

The standardized labeled regimen requires adding the entire 4 mL contents of the concentrate vial to 500 mL of a standard ophthalmic irrigation solution. This is a single-use administration for one patient, employed as needed throughout the duration of the surgical procedure. Before preparation, guidance indicates that the solution is not to be used if it appears cloudy or contains particulate matter.


Population-Specific Rules

For elderly patients, no dose adjustment is required, and no special considerations are anticipated for patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Pediatric usage guidelines show differences: safety and effectiveness have been established for pediatric patients up to 17 years of age, while safety and efficacy have not been established for those below 18 years.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Omidria is an intraocular solution containing the active ingredients phenylephrine (a mydriatic agent) and ketorolac (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID). It is indicated for use during cataract surgery or intraocular lens replacement to maintain pupil size by preventing intraoperative miosis (pupil constriction) and to reduce postoperative ocular pain.


Summary of Efficacy Findings

Clinical research, including integrated results from two pivotal Phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled studies involving over 800 patients, focused on two primary measures: maintenance of mydriasis and reduction of early postoperative pain.

  • Maintenance of Mydriasis: The combined data showed that the pupils of patients who received Omidria generally maintained their size throughout surgery, while the pupils in the placebo group tended to constrict. Significantly fewer patients who received Omidria experienced major pupil constriction (miosis) during the procedure compared to those given placebo.
  • Reduction of Pain: Treatment with Omidria was associated with a significant reduction in patient-reported ocular pain in the immediate 12-hour period following surgery when compared to the placebo group.

Safety Profile Overview

Across the clinical trials, the ocular adverse reaction rates were generally comparable between the Omidria treatment group and the placebo group. Frequently reported ocular adverse reactions in clinical trials included anterior chamber inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and posterior capsule opacification. These events were seen with a similar incidence in both the treatment and control groups. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between elderly patients and other adult patients in the studies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Omidria (FAQ)

Q: Does Omidria contain preservatives?

The official product information, which details the composition of Omidria, lists the two active ingredients—phenylephrine and ketorolac—along with inactive ingredients such as water, citric acid, and sodium citrate. According to regulatory documents, the list of inactive components does not explicitly include traditional preservatives commonly found in eye drops. The medicine is formulated as a sterile concentrate for solution.


Q: What is the onset of action or how quickly does Omidria start to work for miosis and pain?

Omidria is indicated for addition to the ocular irrigating solution used for continuous irrigation of the eye during cataract surgery or intraocular lens replacement. The medicine is administered throughout the entire surgical procedure via this solution. The combination is designed to act concurrently with the surgery to maintain pupil size and contribute to the reduction of pain during and immediately following the procedure.


Q: Is Omidria a vasoconstrictor or does it affect the blood vessels in the eye?

Omidria is a combination drug, and one of its ingredients, phenylephrine, is classified as an alpha1-adrenergic receptor agonist. Official descriptions of the medicine's mechanism of action indicate that its primary function is to promote and maintain pupil dilation during the surgical procedure. The effect is described as causing a contraction of the iris muscle.


Q: Is there a generic version of Omidria available?

Regulatory agencies in the United States, such as the FDA, have approved a therapeutically equivalent version of the product. This means that a generic version of Phenylephrine and Ketorolac Intraocular Solution is available for use.

How should Omidria be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Omidria?

Regulatory authorities mandate specific storage conditions for Omidria (phenylephrine and ketorolac intraocular solution) to maintain product stability, differentiating requirements for the unopened concentrate and the diluted solution.

Official Storage Conditions

Product State Temperature Requirement Protection Requirement
Unopened Vial (Concentrate) Controlled Room Temperature (20 C to 25 C) Store in original outer carton; Protect from light. Must not be frozen.
Diluted Solution (In-Use) Varies by region: 4 hours (Room Temp) or 24 hours (Refrigerated) per FDA; 6 hours of preparation per EMA Do not use if cloudy or if particles are present.

Disposal and Safety

The medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal instructions state that any unused or expired product should not be disposed of in household waste or wastewater. Disposal must be completed in accordance with local requirements for pharmaceutical waste.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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