The bacterial growth that leads to some eye infections is stopped by ophthalmic sulfacetamide. Infections of the eyes are treated with it as well as prevented following injury.

Ophthalmic sulfacetamide is available as an ointment and a solution (liquid) to inject into the eyes. The ointment is often used four times a day, once before bedtime, and once every two to three hours during the day and less frequently at night. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you do not understand, and carefully follow their instructions. Follow the instructions for sulfacetamide exactly. Use only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less of it, nor more frequently.

Follow these steps to administer the eye drops:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• Make sure the dropper tip is not broken or chipped by inspecting it.
• Eye drops and droppers must be kept clean; avoid contacting the dropper tip to your eye or anything else.
• Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with your index finger while cocking your head back.
• Using your other hand, place the dropper as near to your eye as you can without touching it, tip down.
• Hold that hand against your face with the remaining fingers.
• Gently squeeze the dropper as you raise your head, letting one drop fall into the lower eyelid’s pocket. Bypass the lower eyelid with your index finger.
• Tip your head downward so that you appear to be looking at the floor for 2 to 3 minutes while you close your eyes. Squeeze your eyelids but try not to blink.
• Just press gently with your finger on the tear duct.
• Make sure you use a napkin to wipe any extra liquid from your face.
• Wait at least five minutes before applying the next drop to an eye if you plan to use more than one drop there.
• The dropper bottle’s cap should be replaced and tightened. Avoid cleaning or rinsing the dropper tip.
• To get any medication off your hands, wash them.

Follow these directions to apply the eye ointment:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• The tube tip needs to be maintained clean, so avoid contacting it to your eye or anything else.
• Place the tube as close to your eyelid as you can without touching it while holding it between your thumb and forefinger.
• Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
• Your head should be slightly cocked back.
• Pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket with your index finger.
• In the pocket created by the lower eyelid, insert an ointment ribbon measuring between 1/4 and 1/2 inches (0.6 and 1.25 centimetres). Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
• Slowly blink your eye before gently closing it for a minute or two.
• Remove any extra ointment from the eyes and lashes using a tissue. Wipe the tube tip clean with a different, clean tissue.
• Immediately replace and tighten the cap.
• To get rid of any medication, wash your hands.

You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you want to take this drug for a different purpose.

Before using sulfacetamide eye drops or eye ointment,

• If you have a drug allergy to sulfacetamide, sulfa medications, sulfites, or any other substance, tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking, including any vitamins or other eye medications.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Sulfacetamide can cause pregnancy, so call your doctor right once if it does.
• You should be aware that using sulfacetamide eye ointment may cause blurry vision. Even if your eyesight is blurry, refrain from rubbing your eyes. If you are unable to see well, avoid using machinery or a car.
• If you wear soft contact lenses, let your doctor know. Wait at least 15 minutes after using the medication if the brand of sulfacetamide you’re using contains benzalkonium chloride before putting in soft contact lenses.

If you miss a dosage, administer it as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Never administer or apply a second dose to make up for one that was missed.

Side effects from sulfuracetamide could exist. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Transient eye stinging or burning
• Greater eye redness, itchiness, or swelling that lasts for longer than 48 hours

Keep this medication out of the reach of children and tightly closed in the original container. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). Avoid freezing it and using eye drops with a discoloured surface (yellowish brown to deep reddish brown).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

After finishing the sulfacetamide, consult your doctor if you continue to experience infection-related symptoms.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.