Sulfonamide (Ophthalmic)

Class Name: sulfonamide (Ophthalmic route)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Bleph-10
• Ocu-Sul
• S.O.S.S.
• Sodium Sulamyd
• Sulf-10

In Canada

• Ak-Sulf
• Isopto Cetamide
• Metimyd
• Ophtho-Sulf
• Pms-Sulfacetamide Sodium
• Sulfacetamide Sodium
• Sulfex

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Ointment

Uses for this Medicine

Sulfonamides, or sulfa medicines, belong to the family of medicines called anti-infectives. Sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations are used to treat infections of the eye.

Sulfonamides are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using this Medicine

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of sulfonamides in the elderly with use in other age groups.

Pregnancy

Sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations have not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast Feeding

Sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of this Medicine

For patients using the eye drop form of sulfonamides:

• The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.
• To use:
  • First, wash your hands. Then tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 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 applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

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