Products
Eye drops containing antibiotics are available from various manufacturers in pharmacies. They are also combined with other active ingredients such as glucocorticoids fix.
Structure and properties
The drops contain antibiotics from different chemical groups (see below).
Effects
Depending on the active ingredient, the antibiotics have bacteriostatic to bactericidal properties, meaning they inhibit the growth of bacteria or kill them. The effects include inhibition of bacterial DNA replication, inhibition of protein synthesis, and formation of folic acid. The antibiotics differ in their spectrums of action. In the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, they shorten the duration of the disease and reduce discomfort, complications, and transmission. However, they are not always necessary because conjunctivitis is usually self-limiting, can also be caused by viruses, and antibiotics can cause side effects.
Indications
For the treatment of infectious diseases of the anterior segment of the eye and ocular appendages, for example, bacterial conjunctivitis and lid margin inflammation.
Dosage
According to the professional information. Dosage depends on the preparation. Contact lenses should not be worn during bacterial eye infections. For useful application instructions, see the article Administering eye drops.
Active ingredients
Aminoglycosides:
- Framycetin
- Gentamicin
- Neomycin
- Tobramycin eye drops
Quinolones:
- Ciprofloxacin
- Lomefloxacin
- Moxifloxacin eye drops
- Ofloxacin
Fenicole:
- Chloramphenicol
Polypeptide antibiotics:
- Bacitracin
- Gramicidin
- Polymyxin B
Steroid antibiotics:
- Fusidic acid eye gel
Sulfonamides:
- Sulfacetamide
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Pregnancy and lactation: see SmPC
- Other, substance-specific contraindications
Combination preparations with glucocorticoids:
- Viral, mycotic or parasitic infections of the eye.
For complete precautions, see the drug label.
Interactions
Other eye drops should be instilled at a time interval.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include local reactions to the eye, such as stinging, burning, pain, hypersensitivity reactions, eye irritation, and changes in visual acuity. Systemic adverse reactions may occur rarely, for example, allergy. Treatment failure may be due to resistance. Local therapy is better tolerated than antibiotic use.
