NATAMYCIN (Ophthalmic)?

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.?

• Natacyn

Another commonly used name is pimaricin.

? Not commercially available in Canada.

Category

• Antifungal, ophthalmic

Description

Natamycin (na-ta-MYE-sin) belongs to the groupof medicines called antifungals. It is used to treat some types of fungusinfections of the eye.

Natamycin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the followingdosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) (U.S.)

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 natamycin,the following should be considered:

Allergies?Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual orallergic reaction to natamycin. Also tell your health care professional ifyou are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives.

Pregnancy?Studies on effects in pregnancy have not been donein either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding?It is not known whether natamycin passes into breastmilk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, manyof them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using thismedicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children?Studies on this medicine have been done only in adultpatients, and there is no specific information comparing use of natamycinin 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. Although there is no specific informationcomparing use of natamycin in the elderly with use in other age groups, thismedicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in olderpeople than it does in younger adults.

Proper Use of This Medicine

The bottle is only partiallyfull to provide proper drop control.

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. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go ofthe eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly,use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicatortip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keepusing this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your conditionhas improved. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing?The dose of ophthalmic natamycin will be differentfor different patients. Follow your doctor's orders orthe directions on the label. The following information includes onlythe average doses of ophthalmic natamycin. If your doseis different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For fungus infection of the eye:
  • For eye drops dosage form:
    • Adults?Use one drop in the eye every four to six hours. Formore serious infections, your doctor may tell you to use one drop in the eyeevery one or two hours for three or four days, then one drop six to eighttimes a day thereafter.
    • Children?Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose?If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it assoon as possible. Then 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

Yourdoctor should check your progress at regular visits. For some eye infections,these visits may be as often as several times a week.

If your symptoms do not improve within 7 to 10 days, or if they becomeworse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects,a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these sideeffects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following sideeffects occur:

Other side effects not listed above may alsooccur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.