Erythromycin ointment - everything about the drug

In the treatment of infectious eye diseases antibiotics of various groups have proved to be the most effective means. They have a powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. In ophthalmic practice, ophthalmic ointments and gels intended for external use are most widely used. One of these drugs is erythromycin ophthalmic ointment.

Description of the preparation

Ointment for eyes with erythromycin is a thick substance of dark yellow color with a light characteristic odor.The drug is sold in aluminum or plastic tubes for 3, 10 and 15 grams. The tube with ointment has an elongated tip for convenient extrusion of the drug. As auxiliary components in the composition of the ointment are:

• anhydrous lanolin;
• purified petroleum jelly;
• sodium bisulfite.

  Erythromycin is used in the treatment of infectious eye diseases.

Erythromycin ointment should be stored out of the reach of children at a temperature not exceeding +150FROM. Shelf life should not exceed three years. The drug is introduced into the conjunctival sac for the lower eyelid three times a day. In some situations, the use of an ointment is allowed up to five times a day. The course of treatment in the most severe cases should not exceed a three-month period. Ointment from an open tube should be used within one month. The drug is dispensed without a prescription.

Analogues of the drug are ointments- Tetracycline and Hydrocortisone, drops - Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Floxal.

Tetracycline ointment is an analog of Erythromycin ointment

With prolonged use, there may be a resistance reaction in pathogenic organisms, which will require replacement of the drug.

Pharmacological action and group

Erythromycin, as an antibiotic, belongs to the group of macrolides.Preparations of this group are considered to be the least toxic antimicrobial agents. When they are used, there is no negative effect on the central nervous system, and antibiotic diarrhea and anaphylactic reactions are extremely rare.Erythromycin ointment for the eyes has a bacteriostatic effectand is active in relation to the following types of infectious agents:

• Gram-positive bacteria;
• mycoplasma;
• chlamydia;
• some gram-negative microorganisms.

  Erythromycin ointment is an antibiotic

Most gram-negative bacteria, fungal infection and viruses show resistance to the use of erythromycin ointment.With simultaneous infection of the patient with different pathogens, erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is used in conjunction with other drugs. This antibiotic creates high concentrations in tissues and is slowly excreted from the body along with urine. Erythromycin, along with the additional components that make up the ointment, easily penetrates the cornea and tear gland, while there is no getting the antibiotic into the total bloodstream, which excludes the harmful effect of the drug on organism.

There are a number of drugs that change their pharmacological action when used in conjunction with erythromycin. The doctor should be warned about all medications taken.

Indications and contraindications in use

In ophthalmology, erthromycin ointment is used for the following diseases:

• conjunctivitis;
• blepharitis;
• keratitis;
• barley;
• trachoma.

Conjunctivitis can have a different origin, including allergic, so the decision to application of erythromycin ointment is taken by an ophthalmologist based on diagnostic procedures and analyzes.The use of ointment with erythromycin for the treatment of blepharitis and keratitis after a few applications gives a positive result:

• spontaneous lachrymation decreases;
• the itching and redness of the sclera disappears;
• decreases the inflammatory process on the eyelids.

With positive dynamics and complete disappearance of symptoms, the use of the drug should be continued to prevent the occurrence of relapse of the disease.

Despite the fact that erythromycin has minimal toxic effect on the body, it can give some side effects. These include:

• nausea;
• burning at the application point of the ointment;
• irritation of the skin;
• a dysbacteriosis.

Usually these symptoms are caused by the addiction of the body to the action of the drug and pass independently on the second day of use. If this does not happen, you need to see a doctor.

In case of acute allergic reactions associated with difficulty breathing, emergency help should be called immediately.

Erythromycin ointment for the eyes has no serious contraindications.The drug is not assigned to patients with impaired hepatic and renal function with diagnoses of hepatitis and nephritis. Contraindication may be an individual intolerance to erythromycin, which can cause allergic reactions.

Antibiotics from the macrolide group, which include erythromycin, can be given to pregnant women, due to extremely low toxicity.But in the period of breastfeeding the question of the use of erythromycin ointment can be solved only by the attending physician. The fact is that macrolides have the ability to penetrate into breast milk, which can be unsafe for the child.

Erythromycin ointment is approved for the treatment of eye diseases in children.Under the supervision of a physician, it is allowed to use it for newborn babies.

Erythromycin has no serious contraindications

Possible complications caused by the drug

In ophthalmic statistics there is no information about any complications caused by an overdose of erythromycin ointment for the eyes.In very rare cases, severe allergic reactions are possible.

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conclusions

Clinical practice shows the high effectiveness of erythromycin ointment in the treatment of eye infections. It is not allowed independent and unsystematic use of the drug. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor on the basis of the form and severity of the pathology.