What is Azithromycin for ophthalmic?
Azithromycin, a macrolide antibacterial, is used to fight bacteria.Azithromycin (for the eye) is used for treating infections of the eye caused by bacteria.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of azithromycin ophthalmic.
Side effects of Azithromycin for ophthalmic
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using azithromycin and seek emergency medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face, throat, or lips; or severe skin reactions (fever or sore throat with burning, pain in eyes or skin, blistering or peeling skin, or red or purple rash).
Azithromycin eye drops can cause severe side effects. If you experience:
- Drainage or crusting in your eyes
- After using eye drops, you may experience severe irritation, such as itching, burning, or stinging.
- Feeling like there is something in your eyes
- Changes to the surface of your eye
- Eye pain or swelling
- Eyelid irritation
- Any signs of a virus?
Side effects associated with azithromycin eye drops include:
- Eye irritation;
- Dry or itchy eyes
- Blurred vision
- Stuffy nose;
- Changes in your taste buds
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Ciprofloxacin for ophthalmic use; Levofloxacin for ophthalmic use; Erythromycin for ophthalmic use; Gentamicin Ophthalmic; Bacitracin Ophthalmic; Azasite
Warning
If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using this medication and seek emergency medical attention: Fever, sore mouth, burning eyes or skin, red, purple, blistering, peeling skin, and skin pain
Before you take this drug
This medication should be avoided if you have an allergy to Zithromax (Azithromycin).Inform your doctor whether you are breastfeeding or pregnant.The ophthalmic form of azithromycin should never be given to a child under 1 year.
How to take Azithromycin for ophthalmic?
Read all the instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all the directions. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Azithromycin ophthalmic can be applied once a day for five days after the initial two days. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions.Use only when wearing soft lenses. This medicine contains a preservative that could stain lenses permanently. You should wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses after taking the medication.Before using any eye medications, wash your hands.Shake the bottle once before using it.
Applying eye drops is as simple as tilting your head slightly back and pulling down the lower eyelid. Squeeze a few drops into the pocket created by holding above your eye. For 1 to 2 minutes, close your eyes.
Only use the prescribed number of drops.
- Only use the drops prescribed by your physician. Wait 5 minutes in between each drop if you are using more than 1 drop.
- You should wait at least 10 minutes before you use any eye drops prescribed by your doctor.
Avoid touching the eyedropper tip or placing it on the eye. If the dropper is contaminated, it can cause serious eye problems.If the liquid is discolored or contains particles, do not use it. For new medication, call your pharmacist.Even if you feel better quickly, continue to take this medication for the entire prescribed time. You can get resistant to infections if you skip doses.Keep unopened bottles of azithromycin phthalmic refrigerated. Avoid freezing.Store the opened bottle at room temperature for up to 14 days. When not in use, keep the bottle closed tightly.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for bacterial conjunctivitis:
Instill one drop twice daily, eight to twelve hours apart.
Instill one drop into the eye or eyes affected once per day.
Use: To treat bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates from CDC coryneform G, Haemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus influenzae), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mitis group, and S pneumoniae.
The usual pediatric dose for bacterial conjunctivitis in children is:
One year old or older
Instill one drop twice daily, eight to twelve hours apart, in the eye or eyes affected.
Instill one drop into the eye or eyes affected once per day.
Use: To treat bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates from CDC coryneform G, H influenzae, S. aureus, S. mitis group, and S. pneumoniae.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for the next dose, skip the dose that was missed. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid this
If you have symptoms such as redness, swelling, and irritation of your eye, you should avoid wearing contact lenses.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs that you take are unlikely to affect the medicine used on your eyes. Many drugs interact. Inform your health care providers of all the medicines that you take, including prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbs.
