Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and the ophthalmic solution contains sulfacetamide which is a sulfonamide antibiotic that is used as a topical ophthalmic treatment for mild ocular infections.

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and ophthalmic solution Uses:

• Ocular infections:

  • Ophthalmic ointment and solution:

    • Treatment of conjunctivitis and other superficial ocular infections caused by susceptible microorganisms, such as Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Enterobacter species.

  • Ophthalmic solution:

    • Trachoma treatment as a supplement to systemic sulfonamide therapy

Limitations of use:

• Topically applied sulfonamides do not provide optimal coverage against
  • Neisseria species,
  • Serratia marcescens and
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• A sizable portion of staphylococcal isolates also exhibit total resistance to sulfa medications.

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops Dose in Adults

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and ophthalmic solution Dose in the treatment of Conjunctivitis and other superficial ocular infections:

• Note: As the disease improves, taper the dosage by lengthening the time between doses; a typical course of treatment lasts 7 to 10 days:
• Ophthalmic remedy: Every two to three hours, apply 1 to 2 drops.
• Ophthalmic cream: Apply a half-inch ribbon every three to four hours and before bed.

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and ophthalmic solution Dose in the treatment of Trachoma:

• Ophthalmic solution:
  • Instill 2 drops every 2 hours;
  • must be used in conjunction with systemic therapy

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops Dose in Childrens

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and ophthalmic solution Dose in the treatment of Conjunctivitis:

• Infants ≥2 months, Children, and Adolescents: Ophthalmic:

  • Ointment:

    • Every 3 to 4 hours and at bedtime, inject a 1-inch ribbon into the lower conjunctival sac of the afflicted eye(s); increase the dosing interval as the situation improves.
    • The Ointment may be utilised in addition to the remedy;
    • Treatment typically lasts between seven and ten days.

  • Solution:

    • Initially, provide 1 to 2 drops every 2 to 3 hours into the lower conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s); if the situation improves, lengthen the period between doses.
    • Treatment typically lasts between seven and ten days.

Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and ophthalmic solution Dose in the treatment of Trachoma:

• Infants ≥2 months, Children, and Adolescents:

  • Ophthalmic: Solution:
    • Inject 2 drops every two hours into the affected eye's conjunctival sac (s).
    • Systemic therapy must be utilised in conjunction with this.

Pregnancy Risk Category: C

• Studies on animal reproduction have not yet been done.
• Systemic sulfonamides may cause kernicterus in the baby if they are used during pregnancy.

Sulfacetamide use during breastfeeding:

• It is unknown exactly how much systemic absorption occurs after ophthalmic administration.
• Systemic sulfonamides may cause kernicterus in infants who are exposed to them during lactation.
• However, it is unknown how much systemic absorption occurs after ophthalmic administration.
• According to the drug manufacturer breast-feeding should be considered during therapy.
• It must also take into account the risks to the infant as well as the benefits to the mother.

Sulfacetamide eye drops dose in kidney disease:

Not mentioned in the manufacturer's labeling.

Sulfacetamide eye drops in patients with liver disease:

Doses have not been mentioned in the manufacturer's labeling.

Side effects of Sulfacetamide:

• Cardiovascular:

  • Edema

• Hypersensitivity:

  • Hypersensitivity Reaction

• Neuromuscular & Skeletal:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

• Ophthalmic:

  • Burning Sensation Of Eyes
  • Conjunctival Hyperemia
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal Ulcer
  • Eye Irritation
  • Stinging Of Eyes

Contraindications to Sulfacetamide eye drops and ointments:

• Hypersensitivity/hyper-responsiveness to sulfonamides or any active component of the formulation.
• Limited evidence exists of allergenic cross-reactivity with sulfonamides.
• Cross-sensitivity can be possible due to chemical similarities and/or similarities within pharmacologic actions.

Warnings and precautions

• Blood dyscrasias:

  • Sulfonamides have been linked to severe reactions (rarely fatalities), such as agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia.
  • If you feel that there is a serious reaction, discontinue.

• Dermatologic reactions

  • Many sulfonamides have caused severe reactions (rarely fatalities) such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and toxic epidermal necrosis.
  • Stop using the product at the first sign that you feel rashes.

• Hepatic necrosis

  • Sulfonamides have been linked to fatalities in rare cases of fulminant liver necrosis.
  • If you feel that there is a serious reaction, discontinue.

• Allergy to sulfonamide

  • There are chemical similarities between sulfonamides and sulfonylureas as well as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (except ethacrynic acids) and loop diuretics (except for thiazides).
  • Product labeling specifically forbids use in patients suffering from sulfonamide allergy
  • However, patients who have an allergy to any of the drugs may be at risk of a cross-reaction.
  • Avoid using if the reaction is severe.

• Superinfection

  • Long-term use can lead to the growth of non-susceptible organisms such as fungi.
  • If you suspect superinfection, seek out appropriate treatment.

Monitoring parameters:

• Response to therapy,
• hypersensitivity reactions

How to administer Sulfacetamide Eye Drops and Ointments?

Ophthalmic:

• Avoid contact with skin or eye by tube or bottle tip.
• Instill sulfacetamide into the conjunctival sac.

Solution:

• To reduce the chance of absorption and systemic effects, apply finger pressure to the lacrimal sac throughout the instillation of the solution and for 1 to 2 minutes afterward.
• Use must take place in conjunction with systemic medication for the treatment of trachoma.

Ointment:

• May be added to the ophthalmic solution as a supplement.

Mechanism of action of Sulfacetamide:

• Through competitive antagonism of PABA, inhibits bacterial folic acids synthesis

Start of action:

• Conjunctivitis relief is often seen in 3 to 6 days.

International Brand of Sulfacetamide (Ophthalmic):

• Bleph-10
• Odan-Sulfacetamide
• PMS-Sulfacetamide Na [DSC]
• PMS-Sulfacetamide Sod [DSC]
• Sodium Sulamyd
• Acetopt
• Albucid
• Antebor
• Apisulfa
• Apisulpha-20
• Blef-10
• Blef-10 con lagrifilm
• Bleph-10
• Bleph-30
• Dermaseb
• Dermaser
• Isopto Cetamide
• Locula
• Optal
• Opthmid
• Paraqueimol
• Riacetamid
• Sulfacet Sodium
• SulfacidE
• Sulfaclan
• Sulfacyl
• Sulfex
• Synsul
• Vitasul

Sulfacetamide (Ophthalmic) Brand Names in Pakistan: