$Unique_ID{BRK02133}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE (OPHTHALMIC)}
$Subject{AK-Sulf (Akorn)
AK-Sulf Forte (Akorn)
Bleph-10 (Allergan)
Cetamide (Alcon)
Isopto Cetamide (Alcon)
Ophthacet (Vortech)
Sodium Sulamyd (Schering)
sodium sulfacetamide (various manufacturers)
Sulf-10 (Iolab Pharm.)
Sulfair 15 (Pharmafair)
Sulten-10 (Bausch & Lomb)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


SODIUM SULFACETAMIDE (OPHTHALMIC)
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     AK-Sulf (Akorn)
     AK-Sulf Forte (Akorn)
     Bleph-10 (Allergan)
     Cetamide (Alcon)
     Isopto Cetamide (Alcon)
     Ophthacet (Vortech)
     Sodium Sulamyd (Schering)
     sodium sulfacetamide (various manufacturers)
     Sulf-10 (Iolab Pharm.)
     Sulfair 15 (Pharmafair)
     Sulten-10 (Bausch & Lomb)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Ophthalmic antibiotic
INGREDIENT:
     sodium sulfacetamide
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Ophthalmic drops (10%, 15%, and 30%)
     Ophthalmic ointment (10%)
STORAGE:
     Sodium sulfacetamide drops and ointment should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed containers.  This medication should never
       be frozen.  If the eye drops discolor or turn brown, they should be
       discarded.  A change in color signifies a loss of potency.

USES

     Sodium sulfacetamide is used to treat bacterial eye infections and
corneal ulcers.  Sodium sulfacetamide is an antibiotic that is effective
against a wide range of bacteria.  It acts by preventing production of the
nutrients that are required for growth of the infecting bacteria.  This
medication, however, is not effective against infections that are caused by
viruses or fungi.

TREATMENT

     Wash your hands with soap and water before applying this medication.  To
avoid contamination of the eye drops or ointment, be careful not to touch the
tube of the dropper or the tip of the ointment tube or let them touch your
eyes; DO NOT wipe off or rinse the dropper after use.
     To apply the drops, tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid
with one hand to make a pouch below the eye.  Drop the prescribed amount of
medicine into this pouch and slowly close your eyes.  Try not to blink.  Keep
your eyes closed, and place one finger at the corner of the eye next to your
nose for a minute or two, applying a slight pressure (this is done to prevent
loss of medication through the duct that drains fluid from the surface of the
eye into the nose and throat).  Then wipe away any excess with a clean tissue.
     To apply the ointment, tilt the head back, pull down the lower lid to
form a pouch below the eye, and squeeze a small amount of ointment
(approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch) in a line along the pouch.  Close the eyes,
and place your finger at the corner of the eye next to your nose for a minute
or two.  Do not rub your eyes.  Wipe off excess ointment with a clean tissue.
     Since this medication is somewhat difficult to apply, you may want to
have someone else apply it for you.
     It is important to continue to take this medication for the entire time
prescribed by your doctor, even if the symptoms disappear before the end of
that period.  If you stop applying the drug too soon, resistant bacteria are
given a chance to continue growing, and the infection could recur.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, apply the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
apply the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not use twice as much medication at the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Sodium sulfacetamide may cause blurred vision or burning or stinging in
the eyes immediately after it is applied (especially the 30% solution).  This
effect should last only a few minutes.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
signs of irritation in the eyes (such as redness, swelling, or itching) that
last more than several minutes, chills, fever, itching, or difficulty in
breathing.  Also, if your symptoms of infection seem to be getting worse
rather than improving, you should contact your doctor.

INTERACTIONS

     This drug is incompatible with silver preparations.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to sodium sulfacetamide or to any other sulfa
medication (diuretics, oral antidiabetic medications, sulfonamide
antibiotics).
     * This medication may cause allergic-type symptoms, such as hives,
itching, wheezing, or anaphylaxis, in sulfite-sensitive patients.
     * Sodium sulfacetamide may cause eye sensitivity to bright light; wearing
sunglasses may lessen this problem.
     * This medication has been prescribed for your current infection only.
Another infection later on, or one that someone else has, may require a
different medicine.  You should not give your medicine to other people or use
it for other infections, unless your doctor specifically directs you to do so.
     * In order to allow your eye infection to clear, do not apply makeup to
the affected eye.
     * If there is no change in your condition two or three days after
starting to take this medication, contact your doctor.  The medication may not
be effective for your particular infection.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The safe use of this
medication in human pregnancy has not been established.  Although an
ophthalmic, if large amounts of this drug are applied for prolonged periods,
some of it may be absorbed into the bloodstream.  Also, tell your doctor if
you are breast-feeding an infant.  If this drug is absorbed, small amounts may
pass into the breast milk and may temporarily alter the bacterial balance in
the intestinal tract of the nursing infant, resulting in diarrhea.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
