Erythromycin (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Ilotycin

Proper Use of This Medicine

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. 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 erythromycin 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 ophthalmic erythromycin 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 ophthalmic erythromycin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
  • For treatment of eye infections:
    • Adults and children - Use in the eyes up to six times a day as directed by your doctor.
  • For prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum:
    • Newborn babies - Use in the eyes once at birth.

Missed dose - If you do 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• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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.