Erythromycin ointment for eyes is in a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.
This medication treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for other types of infections
The medicine is used for treating conjunctional dermatitis. In addition, it may prevent eye disease in newborn babies. Erythromycin ointment stops bacteria from multiplying.
These eye ointment medicines treat only infections in the eyes. The same cannot be done for any eye infections. In the event an antibiotic is used improperly the result may be less effective in the treatment.
Before Applying Erythromycin Eye Ointment. Your healthcare provider will determine whether a virus, bacterium, or allergen is causing the conjunctivitis based on your health history, symptoms, and an eye examination. They may collect a sample of eye discharge from the infected eye and send it to the laboratory to identify the cause.
Uses for Erythromycin Ointment
Erythromycin eye ointment can be prescribed for eye infections and common eye infections in newborn infants.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. Continue using it for the full time prescribed. Stopping the medication too soon may allow the bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a return of the infection.
How should I use erythromycin ointment?
This eye ointment has no effect on eyes. Follow the instructions given on prescription. Wash your hands at least once. Tie your head forward and put your upper eyelid down with the thumb. Keep your finger away from your eyes. Apply the ointment into the upper eyelid. Squeeze out the tube. Close the eyes and spread the ointment gently. Your eyesight might be blurred. Take a dose every day. Take no more than prescribed medicine. Finish the course prescribed by your healthcare staff if the condition improves.
For ophthalmic ointment dosage form: For treatment of eye infections: Adults and children—Use in the eyes up to six times a day as directed by your doctor.
Bacterial Keratitis
Bacterial Keratitis is a bacterial eye infections that cause kerattitis in corneas. A further alternative is an eye ointment called erythromycin.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Ophthalmic erythromycin eye ointment can help prevent the infection with conjunctivitis. Using eye ointments for bacterial conjunctivitis may improve overall health by improving the patient.
What should I watch for while using erythromycin ointment?
Tell your doctor if it is not improving in two or three weeks.
After using erythromycin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.
If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
What may interact with erythromycin ointment?
Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Interaction will not always be a requirement.
Wear no eyewear without the permission of the physician. It will help you get better faster. Those lists don’t represent the entire interaction. Make sure your doctor has a list of every medicine you use. Give it to anyone who smoked or drank the most illegal drugs. Some foods could interfere with medicines.
They need to know if you have any of these conditions: An unusual or allergic reaction to erythromycin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives Pregnant or trying to get pregnant Breast-feeding
What if I skipped a dosage of erythromycin ointment
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Use only that dose which is your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
If your doctors tell you otherwise, continue your normal dosage in case you skip a dosage. Use it if you don t remember it. Nevertheless, when it comes to a new dose, skip the missed doses and continue to use your normal doses daily. You can’t use more of it even if taken in the wrong dose.
Before Applying Erythromycin Ointment
Your health care providers determine whether an allergen causes conjunctivitis according to your health history symptoms and your eye test. The surgeons may obtain eye fluid from the infected eye and take this to the laboratory for investigation.
Bacterial Resistance
When using erythromycin too soon it is possible for the bacteria to become resistant against antibiotic drugs. This drug has been used for other purposes but ask your pharmacist for details.
contact lenses
Wear contact lenses is not recommended when applying erythromycin ophthalmic ointments. It may make contact lenses move away from their proper position or may cover the lenses causing blurry vision. Wearing your glasses may cause eye pain. If it’s not possible to wear contact lenses, talk to your doctor.
children
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
Side Effects of erythromycin ointment
ide effects such as eye irritation/brow burns or blurring vision can occur.
Should this cause any serious health consequences, please contact your doctor immediately. Keep an eye on the medicine that was prescribed by your physician as a result of which your side effects will be much greater.
The use of this drug is rare but there can be no serious problems with use. Use of the medication at prolonged intervals can lead to another kind of eye infection, including fungi infections.
Please stop taking these medications and contact a doctor before noticing any more painful or worsening eye symptoms. Rarely are severe allergic reactions to these drugs detected.
While using erythromycin ophthalmic ointment, you may experience common side effects such as:
- Redness
- Stinging
- Burning
- Temporary blurred vision
Prolonged use of erythromycin eye ointment may lead to fungal infections, probably because the antibiotic removes the normal microorganisms in the eye.
Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in other types of eye infections, including fungal infections. Stop using this medication and contact your doctor if you notice new or worsening eye symptoms (such as pain, swelling, thick discharge or pus).
breast feeding
It is not known whether erythromycin passes into breast milk when given as an eye ointment. It is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Allergic reactions—
Allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat New or worsening eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome): Irritation at the application site.
Overdosage:
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
To use the erythromycin ointment, follow these steps
Tilt your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger to form a pouch. Try not to touch the tip of the tube, to your eye, fingertips, or any other surface. Squeeze the end of the tube to apply a thin layer of the ointment to the inside of the lower eyelid. Close the eye gently to spread the ointment. Your vision may blur for a few minutes.
Take an ophthalmicerythromycin prescription until you feel more confident in yourself.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Shortage Print Erythromycin Ointment – Ophthalmic
On July 7, 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a shortage of erythromycin ophthalmic ointment. Please see the FDA notice about the erythromycin ophthalmic ointment shortage.
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