- Indication
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Mechanism of action
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- Side Effects
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- Precautions
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Self Medication Guide For Common Illnesses
Read this leaflet carefully before taking your medicine. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any further questions about your medicine.
1. Generic Name or Active Ingredient
Chloramphenicol 0.5%
Available as eye drops for the treatment of red, irritated eyes caused by bacterial infections.
It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic which works to kill bacteria by infiltrating bacterial cells and distrupting protein synthesis.
- You are allergic to chloramphenicol or any other ingredient in this product.
- Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you are allergic to any other medication.
- Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you have a history of bone marrow depression, or any other health problems.
- Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you are wearing contact lenses.
- Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you are or plan to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Consult a doctor before using this medicine in children.
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medication, vitamins, herbal preparations or supplements as they may interfere with this medicine.
- If using with other eye drops, wait 5 minutes between applications of different eye medications. Always use eye ointments last.
a) How to applyi. If you wear hard contact lenses, remove them before using this medicine. Leave them out for at least 30 minutes after applying the ointment.
ii. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
iii. Shake the container and remove the outer cap.
iv. Hold the container upside down in one hand between your thumb and forefinger.
v. Using your other hand, gently pull down your lower eyelid to form a pouch/pocket.
vi. Tilt your head back and look up.
vii. Put the tip of the container close to your lower eyelid. Do not let it touch your eye.
viii. Drop 1-2 drops into the pocket made between your lower eye lid and eye ball.
ix. Close your eye for about a minute. Do not blink or rub your eye.
x. After using, keep the container tightly closed.
b) When to apply
3 to 4 times daily, or as directed by your pharmacist or doctor.
c) How long to apply
Usually for 7 days, or as directed by your pharmacist or doctor.
d) If you forget to apply it
Apply it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to apply the medicine. Do not double the dose.
a) Things you should do:Inform your pharmacist or doctor if you develop severe eye irritation, redness, or swelling after using this medicine.
Consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or become worse after 2 days of using this medication.
b) Things you must NOT do:
Do not share your medication with anyone else.
Do not touch the applicator tip or let it touch your eye or any other surface.
Do not wear soft contact lenses while using this medicine.
In case of overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
All medicines may have some unwanted side effects. Sometimes they are serious, but most of the time they are not. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any side effects which are severe or persistent.
- Possible side effects are:
- Eye irritation, redness, or swelling
- Burning or stinging in the eye
- Blurring of vision
- Headache
- Confusion
- Do not use longer than 4 weeks after the bottle has been opened.
- Store at room temperature and in a dry place.
- Keep away from direct sunlight.
- Keep out of reach of children.
- Do not use an unopened bottle after the expiry date has passed.
- Return any unused or expired medication to the nearest pharmacy.
1. Holly Cronau, Ramana Reddy Kankala, Thomas Mauger. Diagnosis and Management of Red Eye in Primary Care
2. Patient information leaflet – Chloramphenicol Eye Drops
3. Micromedex Healthcare Series 2.0
4. Lexicomp’s Drug Information Handbook 19th edition
5. Malaysian Index of Medical Specialities 2011
6. British National Formulary Vol. 60