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What is this medication for?
Eye infections are commonly caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Most superficial eye infections can be treated with eye drops or eye ointments. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate anti-infective eye preparations depending on the cause of infection.
| Medication Class | Medication Name (Examples) |
| Antibiotics | Amikacin, Azithromycin, Cefazolin, Chloramphenicol, Chlortetracycline, Ciprofloxacin, Clarithromycin, Gentamicin, Fusidic acid, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Penicillin, Polymyxin, Tobramycin, Vancomycin |
| Anti-fungals | Amphotericin, Fluconazole, Natamycin |
| Anti-virals | Acyclovir, Ganciclovir |
| Antiseptics | Chlorhexidine, Hexamidine |
How should i take or use this medication?
- Proper use of eye drop
- Wash your hands with soap and water, and read the instructions on the label.
- Shake the bottle.
- Tilt your head backwards and look up.
- Gently pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket and squeeze the bottle to apply one drop into your eye. To prevent the tip of the bottle from getting dirty, make sure the tip does not touch the eye or any other surface.
- Close your eyes gently and wipe off any excess eye drops around your eyes with a clean tissue.
- Keep your eyes closed and press down gently on the inner corner of your eye for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.
- If you need to use more than 1 drop of medication, or if you are using another type of eye drop, wait at least 5 to 10 minutes before applying the next eye drop. This is to prevent the first drop of medication from being washed away by the second drop before it has time to work. This also prevents any medication interactions between different eye drops.
- If your doctor prescribed both eye drops and eye ointments, you should use the eye drops first.
- Click on these links for
- A step-by-step guide on how to apply eye drops https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/A-Step-By-Step-Guide-On-How-To-Instil-Eye-Drops
- A step-by-step guide on how to apply eye ointment https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/A-Step-by-Step-Guide-on-How-to-Apply-Eye-Ointment
- DO NOT wear contact lenses during your medication treatment and until the infection has cleared.
- Do not stop using your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
- Anti-infective eye preparations are prescribed for your current eye condition only. Do not reuse or exceed the prescribed duration of treatment.
How to store the medication/medical device?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
For medications that need to be refrigerated, store in the refrigerator between 2 - 8⁰C. Do not freeze.
Record the date opened on the container. Throw it away immediately once contaminated or after reaching its in-use shelf life as recommended by the manufacturer.
How do i throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
What else should i know about this medication?
If you forget to use a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Then use your next dose at the usual time. Do not use two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- You have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- Stinging or burning sensation
- Redness
- Eye irritation
These symptoms are usually mild and will subside after sometime. Check with your healthcare professional if these conditions are severe or do not improve.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes around your eyes or over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore