Optrex infected eyes

How does it work?

Optrex infected eyes eye drops contain the active ingredient chloramphenicol, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Chloramphenicol is known as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means it is effective against infections caused by a wide variety of bacteria.

Chloramphenicol works by preventing bacteria from producing proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, replicate and increase in numbers. Chloramphenicol therefore controls the infection and remaining bacteria die or are killed by the body's immune system.

Chloramphenicol eye drops are administered into the eye to treat a type of eye infection called bacterial conjunctivitis, which can be caused by various types of bacteria. Putting the drops directly into the eye allows the chloramphenicol to act directly on the bacteria that are causing the infection.

What is it used for?

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Warning!

This medicine should be stored in a refrigerator at 2° to 8°C. Keep out of the reach of children.

This medicine must not be taken by mouth.

You should not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine. This it because the medicine contains a preservative that can be absorbed by contact lenses and cause eye irritation. You should not wear your contact lenses for 24 hours after you have finished the course of this medicine.

When using the eye drops you should take care to not touch the dropper tip to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the eye drops.

The eye drops may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied them into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the five day course of these antibiotic eye drops, even if it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

You should consult your doctor if symptoms have not improved within two days of using the eye drops, or if you get another infection.

Do not use for longer than five days without consulting your doctor.

Seek medical advice immediately if your symptoms get worse at any point during treatment.

Carefully dispose of any remaining eye drops after the five day course of treatment is completed. Do not save the eye drops to use again for future infections, as they are likely to be contaminated with bacteria.

Not to be used in

Children under two years of age

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient

People who have experienced a reduction in blood cell production by the bone marrow (myelosuppression) during previous use of chloramphenicol

People with a family history of abnormalities in the numbers of blood cells in the blood (blood dyscrasias)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. It should not be used by pregnant women. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by women who are breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Burning or stinging sensation

Allergic reactions

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your pharmacist what medicines you are already using, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new medicines while using this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

If you are using any other eye drops or ointments you should consult your doctor before using this medicine.

If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.

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