TETRACYCLINE, eye ointment

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    Therapeutic action

    • Antibacterial

    Indications

    • Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis
    • Treatment of trachoma (by preference use oral azithromycin for this indication)
    • Prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis

    Forms and strengths

    •  1% ointment, tube

    Dosage and duration

    • Wash the eyes with boiled and cooled water before each application. Use sterile sodium chloride 0.9% for newborns.
    • Apply tetracycline 1% into the conjunctival sac of both eyes:
      • Conjunctivitis: one application 2 times daily for 7 days
      • Trachoma: one application 2 times daily for 6 weeks
      • Prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis: one single application immediately after birth

    Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

    • Do not use in patients with hypersensitivity to tetracyclines.
    • May cause allergic reactions; stop treatment in the event of serious reaction.

    Remarks

    • Neonatal conjunctivitis must be treated with systemic antibiotic therapy. When it is not immediately available, apply tetracycline eye ointment to both eyes every hour until systemic treatment is available.
    • Oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline are used in the same way as tetracycline.
    • In the event of eye infection, use only eye ointment; dermal ointment must never be applied to the eyes.

    Storage 

     
    –  Below 25 °C 
    Do not use after expiry date.
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