ERYTHROMYCIN (Ophthalmic)

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Ilotycin

In Canada?

• Ilotycin

Generic name product may be available in the U.S. and Canada.

Category

• Antibacterial, ophthalmic

Description

Erythromycin (eh-rith-roe-MYE-sin) belongs to thefamily of medicines called antibiotics. Erythromycin ophthalmic preparationsare used to treat infections of the eye. They also may be used to preventcertain eye infections of newborn babies, such as neonatal conjunctivitisand ophthalmia neonatorum. They may be used with other medicines for someeye infections.

Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in thefollowing dosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic ointment (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine,the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it willdo. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For ophthalmic erythromycin,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to this or any of the other erythromycins. Also tell yourhealth care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, suchas preservatives.

Pregnancy?Ophthalmic erythromycin has not been shown to causebirth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding?Ophthalmic erythromycin has not been reported tocause problems in nursing babies.

Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of this medicinein children with use in other age groups.

Older adults?Many medicines have not been studied specificallyin older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactlythe same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effectsor problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing useof this medicine in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Proper Use of This Medicine

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your fingergently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid awayfrom the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space.A 1-cm (approximately 1/3-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unlessyou have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of theeyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutesto allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicatortip to any surface (including the eye). After using erythromycin eye ointment,wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightlyclosed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep usingthis medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptomsbegin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon,your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing?The dose of ophthalmic erythromycin will bedifferent for different patients. Follow your doctor'sorders or the directions on the label. The following information includesonly the average doses of ophthalmic erythromycin. Ifyour dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells youto do so.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
  • For treatment of eye infections:
    • Adults and children?Use in the eyes up to six times a day asdirected by your doctor.
  • For prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum:
    • Newborn babies?Use in the eyes once at birth.

Missed dose?If you do miss a dose of this medicine, apply itas soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage?To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be surethat any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If yoursymptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, checkwith your doctor.

After application, eye ointments usually cause your vision to blur fora few minutes.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following side effectoccurs:

Rare

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Ifyou notice any other effects, check with your doctor.