Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist told you.
1. What Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment
3. How to use Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment is a topical ointment for administration to the eye only. It contains an antibiotic called chloramphenicol and is used to treat bacterial infections that affect the front surfaces of the eye.
The most common type of infection in this area is called acute bacterial conjunctivitis. When you have acute bacterial conjunctivitis the white part of one of both eyes will be red and / or your eyelids will be red or swollen. There will be a sticky discharge, which can make the eye difficult to open in the morning and the eye may feel 'gritty' or 'irritated'.
Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment is not suitable for treating eye infections that have spread to the deeper layers of the eye coverings or into the fluid within the eyeball. Antibiotic tablets or injections are needed to treat these deeper, more serious infections.
Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment is recommended for use in children aged 2 years and over, in adults and the elderly. A child below the age of 2 with an eye infection should be seen by a doctor.
Do not use this product if you:
Are allergic to chloramphenicol or any of the ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
Have ever had problems with your blood (in particular very low numbers of blood cells) during previous treatment with chloramphenicol
Have a family history of blood problems such as low white blood cell, red blood cell, or platelet counts
Do not use this product and seek advice from your doctor if:
Your eyesight is affected (loss of sight, reduced vision, blurred vision or halos around lights)
You have pain within the eye
Tell your pharmacist before using this medication if you:
Other medicines and Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment
If you are taking bone marrow depressant medicines (medicines which decrease the activity of the bine marrow, causing low blood cell counts) such as azathloprine or are receiving chemotherapy, seek the advice of your pharmacist or your doctor before using this product.
Driving and using machines
After using the eye ointment, you may temporarily get blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear. If in doubt, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Applying the ointment
To be used in the eye(s) only
Check that the tube seal is not broken before first using the eye ointment.
Wash and dry your hands
Remove the cap. Take special care that the nozzle of the tube does not touch your eye, the skin around your eye or your fingers.
Use a mirror; this will help you see what you are doing
Place the nozzle of the tube close to your eye. Gently pull the lower eyelid downwards and look up.
Whilst applying the ointment, do not
For external use only.
Dose
The dose is a small amount of ointment (approx. 1cm) to be applied to the infected eye(s). If you are using drops during the day and the ointment at night - apply the ointment at night before going to bed.
If you are using just the ointment, apply 3 to 4 times a day.
Length of treatment
The course of treatment is 5 days. Keep using the eye ointment for 5 days. Do not stop just because you feel better, this could make your condition worse.
If your symptoms do not improve within 48 hours, consult your doctor. If your symptoms get worse seek medical advice at once.
Do not use Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment for more than 5 days without consulting your doctor. Dispose of any remaining eye ointment appropriately after the 5 day course of treatment (see section 5).
If you forget your ointment
If you have only just missed a dose and it is a long time before the next dose is due, put in the missed dose of ointment straight away. If it is nearly time for your next dose, just put int he next dose of ointment at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Some people may get one or more of these side effects. Some side effects happen straight away but do not last long - others may happen after several days of use.
Possible side effects may include:
If you do not feel well or are worried about your health, talk to a pharmacist or doctor.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine
Replace the cap securely after use. Store below 25°C.
What Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment contains:
What Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment looks like and the contents of the pack
Each pack contains one tube with 4g of ointment.
Marketing Authorisation Holder
Medicom Healthcare Ltd, Lynton House 7-12 Tavistock Square, Kings cross, London, WC1H 9LT, U.K.
Manufacturer
Tubilux Pharma S.P.A, via Costarica 20/22, 00071 Pomezia (RM), ITALY
Distributed by
Cambridge Healthcare Supplies Ltd. Wymondham, Norfolk, NR18 9SB UK
PL number: 18956/0009
This leaflet was last revised in: 12/2021