Chloramphenicol (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Ak-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment, Ak-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution, Chloracol Ophthalmic Solution, Chlorofair Ophthalmic Ointment, Chlorofair Ophthalmic Solution, Chloromycetin Ophthalmic Ointment, Chloromycetin for Ophthalmic Solution, Chloroptic Ophthalmic Solution, Chloroptic S.O.P., Econochlor Ophthalmic Ointment, Econochlor Ophthalmic Solution, I-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution, Ocu-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment, Ocu-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution, Ophthochlor Ophthalmic Solution, Spectro-Chlor Ophthalmic Ointment, Spectro-Chlor Ophthalmic Solution, Fenicol Ophthalmic Ointment, Ophtho-Chloram Ophthalmic Solution, Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Ointment, Pentamycetin Ophthalmic Solution, Sopamycetin Ophthalmic Ointment, Sopamycetin Ophthalmic Solution

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients using the eye drop form of chloramphenicol:

• Although the bottle may not be full, it contains exactly the amount of medicine your doctor ordered.
• To use:
  • First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed and apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
  • If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
  • To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip or dropper to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To use the eye ointment form of chloramphenicol:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately 1/3-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using chloramphenicol eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing - The dose of chloramphenicol will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of chloramphenicol. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For eye infection:
  • For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
    • Adults and children - Use every three hours.
  • For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:
    • Adults and children - One drop every one to four hours.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.