Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic

Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is a prescription medication used for the treatment of conjunctivitis and trachoma. 

• Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Bleph 10, Sodium Sulamyd, and sulfacetamide sodium.

Common side effects of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic include:

• Mild eye redness,
• Irritation of the eye (stinging or burning)

Serious side effects of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic include:

• Hives,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• Eye swelling,
• Redness of the eye,
• Severe discomfort of the eye,
• Crusting or drainage from the eye,
• Confusion,
• Feeling very irritable,
• Rapid weight gain, especially in the face and midsection,
• Easy bruising or bleeding,
• Pale skin,
• Flu-like symptoms,
• Fever,
• Sore throat,
• Burning in the eyes, and
• Skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling

Rare side effects of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic include:

• None 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 10 %
• 15 %
• 30 %

Ointment

• 10 %

Conjunctivitis

Adult dosage

• Solution: 1-3 drops every 2-3 hours, taper as the condition responds
• Ointment 1/2 inch every 3-4 hours & bedtime; taper as the condition responds.

Pediatric dosage

• Children below 2 months
  • Safety & efficacy not established.
• Children above 2 months
  • Solution: 1-3 drops every 2-3 hours, taper as the condition responds
  • Ointment 1/2 inch every 3-4 hours & bedtime; taper as the condition responds.

Trachoma

Adult dosage

• 2 drops every 2 hours concurrently with systemic therapy.

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.
• Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.
• Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.
• Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

Contraindications

• Sensitivity to sulfa compounds or other components

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• May result in the overgrowth of no susceptible organisms including fungi; bacterial resistance to sulfonamides may also develop.
• Effectiveness of sulfonamides may be reduced by the para-aminobenzoic acid present in purulent exudates.
• Discontinue the use of medication and consult a physician at the first sign of hypersensitivity, increase in purulent discharge, or aggravation of inflammation or pain.
• Fatalities have occurred, although rarely, due to severe reactions to sulfonamides including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, fulminant hepatic necrosis, agranulocytosis, aplastic anemia, and other blood dyscrasias
• Hypersensitivity reactions may occur when a sulfonamide is readministered, irrespective of the route of administration; sensitivity reactions have been reported in individuals with no prior history of sulfonamide hypersensitivity; at the first sign of hypersensitivity, skin rash, or other reactions, discontinue use.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks during pregnancy.
• Lactation
  • Safety in nursing infants is unknown; not recommended.