Chloramphenicol 0.5% W/V Antibiotic Eye Drops
Package leaflet: Information for the user GoldenEye Antibiotic 0 .5% w/v Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.
This medicine is available without prescription. However, you still need to use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops carefully to get the best results.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact a doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 2 days.
• If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your pharmacist.
In this leaflet
1. What Chloramphenicol Eye Drops are and what they are used for
2. Before you use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
3. How to use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
6. Further information
This leaflet contains a summary of the information available for this medicine. You should ask your pharmacist if you are unsure about any aspect of this medicine.
1. What Chloramphenicol Eye Drops are and what they are used for
Chloramphenicol belongs to a group of medicines called antibiotics. An antibiotic is a medicine which is used for the treatment of a variety of infections caused by bacteria.
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops are used in the treatment of a wide range of eye infections caused by bacteria.
2. Before you use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops Do not use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops if:
you are allergic (hypersensitive) to chloramphenicol or to any of the other ingredients listed in section 6 of this leaflet.
Take special care with Chloramphenicol Eye Drops.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:
• you have blurred or double vision
• your eye(s) are more sensitive to light than usual
• your pupil(s) looks unusual
• your eye(s) looks cloudy
• you have pain or swelling around the eye or face
• you have had an eye infection in the recent past
• you have glaucoma (a raised pressure in the eye)
• you have very dry eyes
• you have an eye injury
• you have something in your eye
• you are already using other eye drops or eye ointment
• you have had eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months
• you wear contact lenses
• you or someone in your family suffer from problems with your blood (aplastic anaemia) or bone marrow problems
• you have ever had an allergic (hypersensitive) reaction to this or any other medicine
• you are pregnant, trying for a baby or are breast-feeding.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Medicines which may interact with Chloramphenicol Eye Drops include:
• the dietary supplement chymotrypsin
• any other medicines that are likely to slow down the bone marrow's production of blood cells (bone marrow depression).
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops should not be used if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or are breast-feeding. Driving and using machines
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops can cause temporary blurring of vision after you have used them. Wait until your vision is clear before driving or using machines.
3. How to use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
Always read the leaflet before beginning treatment.
If the eye(s) have an obvious discharge or 'crust' they may be bathed with boiled and cooled water before treating with Chloramphenicol Eye Drops.
If you wear contact lenses they must be removed whilst you are using Chloramphenicol Eye Drops.
You should wait 24 hours after you take your last dose of Chloramphenicol Eye Drops before starting to use your lenses again.
Instructions for use
1. Wash your hands well before use
2. Remove the outer cap. If you are putting in the eye drops yourself you should use a mirror
3. Tilt the head back and pull the lower lid of the eye out to pocket
4. Hold the container between the thumb and middle finger of the other hand, turn the container upside down near to the eye, try not to touch the eye with the nozzle
5. Apply enough pressure to the container to release 1 or 2 drops
6. Blink the eye a few times
7. If you think that you have missed the eye, then insert another drop
8. Repeat in the other eye if you have been told to use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops in both eyes
9. Replace the outer cap on the container, trying not to touch the applicator tip with anything, including the eye or the fingers
10. Wash your hands.
How much to use: Adults, the elderly and children over 2 years
Put 1 drop into the affected eye(s) every 2 hours for the first 48 hours. After this you should reduce the dose to 1 drop every 4 hours.
Not suitable for children under 2.
Do not use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops just before you go to sleep.
The course of treatment should be 5 days.
Do not use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops for longer than 5 days at a time.
Seek further immediate medical advice any time if symptoms worsen.
Consult your doctor if your eye infection does not start to improve within 48 hours.
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops are for external use only. If you have swallowed or you suspect someone else has swallowed any Chloramphenicol Eye Drops, contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if empty.
If you forget to use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
Try not to miss doses. If you do miss a dose, do not worry, take your next dose at the normal time.
Do not use extra drops to make up.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Chloramphenicol Eye Drops can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Possible side effects include:
• burning
• itching
• stinging
• mild stinging
• inflammation of the skin (dermatitis).
Rare side effects include:
• damage to parts of the eye
• bone marrow depression (a condition where the marrow is unable to produce blood cells)
• a reduced production and death of red blood cells (anaemia)
• in very young children, grey baby syndrome.
Prolonged use of Chloramphenicol Eye Drops is not advised. You should not use this product for longer than 5 days at a time.
If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Chloramphenicol Eye Drops after the expiry date printed on the bottle label. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Once the bottle is opened use within 4 weeks.
You are advised to dispose of the bottle once you have finished your 5 day course of treatment.
This medicine needs to be stored upright between 2-8°C (in a refrigerator). Protect from light. Do not allow it to freeze.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further Information
What Chloramphenicol Eye Drops contain:
The active substance is Chloramphenicol O.5%w/v.
The other ingredients are borax, boric acid, phenylmercuric nitrate and purified water.
What Chloramphenicol Eye Drops look like and the contents of the pack:
Chloramphenicol Eye Drops is a clear colourless solution supplied in plastic bottles.
Each bottle contains 10ml of solution.
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Martindale Pharmaceuticals Limited Bampton Road, Romford, RM3 8UG, England.
Manufacturer:
Farmigea S.p.A Via G.B. Oliva 8 56121 Pisa, Italy.
If you would like any more information, or would like the leaflet in a different format, please contact Medical Information at the above address.
This leaflet was last revised in March 2013.
PL00156/0109
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