With ophthalmic bacitracin, bacterial eye infections can be treated. The drug bacitracin belongs to the group of drugs known as antibiotics. It functions by eradicating the infection-causing germs.

Bacitracin for use on the eyes is available as an ointment. Typically, it is used one to three times each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Follow the instructions on the bacitracin eye ointment exactly. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

You can anticipate that when you receive treatment, your symptoms will become better. If your symptoms worsen or do not go away while receiving therapy, or if you experience other eye issues, call your doctor right immediately.

Even if you feel better, continue to take ophthalmic bacitracin until the medication is finished. If you stop taking ophthalmic bacitracin too soon, the infection might not entirely go away and the bacteria might develop an antibiotic resistance.

Observe these steps to apply the eye ointment:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• Apply the cream yourself or have someone else do it.
• Do not touch the tube’s tip to your eye or to anything else. Keep the ointment tidy at all times.
• Lean your head slightly forward.
• Place the tube as close to your eyelid as you can without touching it while holding it between your thumb and index finger.
• Put the hand’s remaining fingers against your cheek or nose.
• Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with the index finger of your other hand.
• In the space created by the lower lid and the eye, dab some ointment. In most cases, a 1/2 inch (1.25 centimetre) strip of ointment is sufficient unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
• To allow the medication to be absorbed, look down, then softly close your eyes and hold them closed for a minute or two.
• Immediately replace and tighten the cap.
• Using a fresh tissue, remove any extra ointment from your eyes and lashes. Even if your vision is fuzzy, avoid rubbing your eyes. Rewash your hands.

To remove scales and crusts from your eyelids before applying bacitracin eye ointment to cure an infection there, carefully clean them with water. The damaged portions of the eyelids should then be evenly covered with a tiny amount of the ointment.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using bacitracin eye ointment,

• If you have any allergies, including to any of the ingredients in bacitracin eye ointment, notify your doctor and pharmacist very away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any additional eye drugs in full.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using bacitracin eye ointment.
• You should be aware that after applying the eye ointment, your eyesight can be hazy for a short while. Before driving or performing other tasks that call on clear vision, wait until your vision has returned to normal.
• If you wear soft contact lenses, let your doctor know. If you have an eye infection, you should not wear contact lenses.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you realise you missed a dose, administer it. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. Using more cream to make up for a missing dose is not advised.

Side effects from bacitracin eye ointment are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Eye stinging, burning, or itching

Other negative effects from bacitracin eye ointment are possible. If you have any strange side effects while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can report a significant side effect to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme by phone or online at (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

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

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

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.

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.