Sulfacetamide ophthalmic is used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes.
Sulfacetamide ophthalmic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Do not use sulfacetamide ophthalmic if you have a viral or fungal infection in your eye. It is
used to treat infections caused by bacteria only.
Do not use sulfacetamide ophthalmic if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a sulfa-based
drug.
It is not known whether sulfacetamide ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use
sulfacetamide ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
It is also not known whether sulfacetamide ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not use
sulfacetamide ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Use sulfacetamide ophthalmic eyedrops or ointment exactly as directed by your doctor. If you
do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Wash your hands before using your eyedrops or ointment.
To apply the eye drops:
Shake the drops gently to be sure the medicine is well mixed. Tilt
your head back slightly and pull down on your lower eyelid. Position the dropper above your eye.
Look up and away from the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Apply gentle
pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to prevent the
liquid from draining down your tear duct. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye or
drops in both eyes, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops.
To apply the ointment:
Hold the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that
the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly and pull down gently on your lower
eyelid. Apply a thin film of the ointment into your lower eyelid. Close your eye and roll your
eyeball around in all directions for 1 to 2 minutes. If you are applying another eye medication,
allow at least 10 minutes before the next application.
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your
eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an
infection in your eye.
Do not use any eyedrop that is discolored or has particles in it.
Store sulfacetamide ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep
the bottle or tube properly capped.
What happens if I miss a dose of sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and apply the next one as directed.
Do not
use a double dose of this medication.
Where can I get more information about sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Your pharmacist has information about sulfacetamide ophthalmic written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Serious side effects are not expected with this medication.
Commonly, some eye burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, blurred vision, eyelid itching,
eyelid swelling, or sensitivity to light may occur.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Apply light pressure to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) after each drop to prevent
the fluid from draining down your tear ducts.
What should I avoid while taking sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Do not touch the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The
dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Sulfacetamide ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, avoid these
activities.
If you wear contact lenses, ask your doctor if you should wear them during treatment with
sulfacetamide ophthalmic. After applying the medication, wait at least 15 minutes before inserting
contact lenses, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with sulfacetamide ophthalmic
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What other drugs will affect sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Do not use this medication with other eyedrops containing nitrates (e.g., silver nitrate).
Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with sulfacetamide ophthalmic
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sulfacetamide ophthalmic. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
What happens if I have an overdose of sulfacetamide ophthalmic?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009