Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic Description

Generic Name : SULFACETAMIDE OPHTHALMIC

Pronunciation : (sul fa see' ta mide)

Trade Name(s) : Albucid, Bleph 10/20/30, Locula

Why it is prescribed: Sulfacetamide stops the growth of bacteria that cause certain eye infections. It is used to treat eye infections and to prevent them after injuries.

When it is to be taken: Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand.

How it should be taken: Sulfacetamide comes in the form of eyedrops and eye ointment. Your prescription label tells you how much ointment or how many drops to use for each application.
If you are to use eyedrops, follow these steps :
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops in your eye.
3. Make sure that the end of the dropper is not chipped or cracked and that the eyedrops are clear.
4. Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or against anything else.
5. Hold the dropper tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the remaining contents.
6. Lie down or tilt your head back.
7. Holding the bottle between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
8. Brace the remaining fingers of tht hand against your cheek or nose.
9. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
10. Drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging.
11. Close your eye for two to three minutes to keep the medication in the eye.
12. Replace and tighten the cap right away. Do not wipe or rinse it off.
13. Wipe off any excess liquid from your cheek with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.
If you are to use the ointment, follow these instructions:
1. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
2. Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.
3. Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else. The ointment must be kept clean.
4. Lie down or tilt your head back.
5. Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
6. Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
7. With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
8. Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye.
9. Blink your eye gently.
10. Replace and tighten the cap right away.
11. Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep the tip of the dropper or ointment tube from touching your infected eye or eyelid, your hands, or any other possible sources of contaimination.
2. If your infection does not improve within two or three days or if it gets worse, contact your doctor.
3. If you forget to apply a dose, apply the missed dose when you remember it and apply any remaining treatments for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to apply the next one, do not apply a double dose; apply only the scheduled treatment. Then follow your regular medication schedule.

Side Effects : Stinging or burning eyes. If this effect occurs right after you apply the medication and goes away soon after, it is harmless. If it does not go away, contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. If you are allergic to sulfa drugs, tell your doctor before using sulfacetamide ophthalmic.
2. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication. The infection can be spread to another person if you accidentally contaminate the medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication out f the reach of children.
2. Store sulfacetamide eye onitment at room temperature, protected from light and excess heat.
3. Store sulfacetamide eyedrops in the refrigerator or at room temperature, away from light and excess heat.
4. Do not use the eyedrops if they are discolored.