Comprehensive medication guide to Nevanac including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$60–$80 copay for most covered plans; Nevanac is covered by approximately 80% of insurance plans, but many require prior authorization or step therapy before approval.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$329–$413 retail for a 3mL bottle (brand-only, no generic available); reduced to approximately $323–$330 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Nevanac is the brand name for nepafenac 0.1% ophthalmic suspension — a sterile, prescription eye drop used before and after cataract surgery. It belongs to the class of medications known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Nevanac was FDA-approved on August 19, 2005, and is currently distributed by Harrow Eye.
Nevanac is FDA-approved for the treatment of pain and inflammation associated with cataract surgery in patients 10 years of age and older. The standard regimen is one drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily, starting one day before surgery, on the day of surgery, and for the first 14 days of the post-operative period.
A higher-concentration formulation, Ilevro (nepafenac 0.3%), is also available and dosed once daily. Nevanac is a brand-name-only product — as of 2026, no FDA-approved generic version of nepafenac 0.1% ophthalmic suspension exists.
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Nevanac (nepafenac) is a prodrug — meaning it is pharmacologically inactive when applied to the eye. After the drop is placed on the ocular surface, nepafenac rapidly penetrates the cornea (approximately 6 times faster than diclofenac in vitro) and enters the intraocular tissue.
Once inside the eye, special enzymes called hydrolases convert nepafenac into amfenac — its pharmacologically active form. Amfenac inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes, which are responsible for producing prostaglandins. By blocking prostaglandin synthesis, amfenac reduces pain, inflammation, and the risk of cystoid macular edema (CME) following cataract surgery.
The prodrug design offers several advantages: better corneal penetration in the inactive form, targeted activation inside the eye where it's needed, and a long duration of action (greater than 8 hours per dose) enabling effective three-times-daily dosing.
0.1% — ophthalmic suspension
1 drop in affected eye(s) 3 times daily; start 1 day before surgery, continue on surgery day, and for 14 days post-op. Shake well before use.
0.3% — ophthalmic suspension (Ilevro)
1 drop once daily; same indication and dosing duration as 0.1% formulation. An additional drop 30–120 minutes before surgery is recommended.
Nevanac is not on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026. However, it can still be challenging to find at individual pharmacies due to its brand-only status, high unit cost ($329–$413 per bottle), and inconsistent stocking at community pharmacies. Many smaller or independent pharmacies choose not to carry it routinely.
Large chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco) and hospital-affiliated pharmacies tend to have the most reliable access. Insurance prior authorization requirements can also create access delays for patients with upcoming surgery.
If you're having difficulty finding Nevanac at your local pharmacy, medfinder can contact pharmacies in your area on your behalf to identify which ones have it in stock and can fill your prescription — results delivered by text message.
Nevanac is not a controlled substance and does not require specialist prescribing authority under DEA regulations. However, in practice it is almost exclusively prescribed by eye care specialists in the context of cataract surgery care.
Ophthalmologists (MD/DO) — primary prescribers; perform or supervise cataract surgery and manage perioperative drop regimens
Optometrists (OD) — licensed to prescribe topical ophthalmic NSAIDs in most US states; frequently involved in post-operative co-management
Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) — may prescribe under physician supervision in high-volume surgical practices
Telehealth prescribing of Nevanac is rare, as it is tied to in-person cataract surgery that requires evaluation, biometry, and direct operative care. Patients requiring Nevanac should be under the care of an ophthalmologist or co-managing optometrist.
No. Nevanac (nepafenac) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a prescription-only medication, but its prescription can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically without the restrictions that apply to controlled substances such as opioids or stimulants.
Patients can obtain Nevanac at any standard retail pharmacy. There are no restrictions on the number of refills beyond those set by the prescribing physician or insurance plan. The medication should only be used for its prescribed perioperative cataract surgery indication and not shared with others.
The most frequently reported side effects (5–10% of patients in clinical trials) include:
Capsular opacity (secondary cataract — a known surgical complication)
Decreased visual acuity (blurred vision)
Foreign body sensation (gritty or scratchy feeling)
Increased intraocular pressure (IOP)
Sticky sensation around the eyelid
Keratitis (corneal inflammation) and corneal thinning, erosion, ulceration, or perforation — rare but sight-threatening
Sudden worsening of eye pain or vision loss
Severe allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling — call 911)
Increased eye bleeding (especially in patients on blood thinners)
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Bromfenac (Prolensa, BromSite, generic)
Once-daily ophthalmic NSAID; generic available at $80–$200; approved for adults; strong evidence for CME prevention.
Ketorolac (Acular, Acuvail, generic)
Four-times-daily; most affordable option at $15–$50; preservative-free formulation available (Acuvail); causes more stinging on application.
Diclofenac ophthalmic (generic)
Four-times-daily; generic at $20–$60; long track record for post-cataract inflammation; approved for adults.
Ilevro (nepafenac 0.3%)
Same active ingredient as Nevanac but higher concentration; once-daily dosing; brand-only; approved for ages 10 and older.
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Warfarin (Coumadin)
moderateNevanac may increase bleeding time; caution in patients on anticoagulants — monitor for signs of intraocular bleeding.
Apixaban (Eliquis) / Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
moderateDirect oral anticoagulants — combined use with Nevanac may increase bleeding risk around the time of surgery.
Aspirin / Oral NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
moderateMay compound bleeding risk and systemic NSAID effects; disclose all OTC pain medications to ophthalmologist.
Topical corticosteroid eye drops (prednisolone, dexamethasone)
minorConcurrent use may slow wound healing; apply at least 5 minutes apart; commonly co-prescribed for post-cataract care.
Other topical ophthalmic medications
minorSeparate all eye drops by at least 5 minutes; Nevanac contains benzalkonium chloride which can damage soft contact lenses.
Nevanac (nepafenac 0.1%) is a well-established, FDA-approved ophthalmic NSAID with a strong evidence base for reducing pain and inflammation after cataract surgery. Its prodrug mechanism provides rapid corneal penetration and targeted intraocular activation, making it an effective choice for perioperative eye care.
The primary challenges with Nevanac are access-related: it's a brand-only medication with no generic, retailing at $329–$413 per bottle. Insurance prior authorization, limited pharmacy stocking, and cost can all create barriers for patients. Fortunately, patient assistance programs through Novartis, discount services like GoodRx and SingleCare, and clinically equivalent generic alternatives (bromfenac, ketorolac, diclofenac) provide viable pathways for patients who face access issues.
If you're having trouble finding Nevanac at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can contact local pharmacies on your behalf and send you the results by text — making it easy to find the medication you need before your surgery date.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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