Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment 1%

What is Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment?

Chloramphenicol eye ointment is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial eye infections such as conjunctivitis. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria, helping to clear up the infection and relieve associated symptoms such as redness, swelling, and discharge.

Conjunctivitis symptoms

Conjunctivitis is a common eye condition that can be caused by both viral and bacteria, it is important to note that Chloramphenicol can only treat bacterial conjunctivitis as it is an antibiotic and will not help with viral conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis can go away on its own without treatment, but Chloramphenicol can help clear bacterial conjunctivitis in a few days. Conjunctivitis symptoms include:

• Redness in one or both eyes.
• Itchiness in one or both eyes.
• A gritty feeling in one or both eyes.

If you have the above symptoms you likely have conjunctivitis, if you have the above as well as a discharge in one or both eyes that forms a crust during the night that may prevent your eye or eyes from opening in the morning. It is likely bacterial conjunctivitis and Chloramphenicol may help clear up the infection.

How to use Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment

Using the ointment is simple and straightfoward:

1. Wash your hands to prevent bacteria getting into your eyes.
2. Tilt your head backwards.
3. Gently pull down your lower eyelid.
4. Hold the tube close to your eye without touching it.
5. Squeeze a small amount (about 1 cm) of the ointment into the pocket you have made using your lower eyelid.
6. Close your eyes and blink a few times to help the gel spread over your eye.
7. Repeat for your other eye if needed.
8. Perform the above 3-4 times a day for up to 14 days and for 2 days after the symptoms have disappeared.

Conjunctivitis treatment

To help treat your conjunctivitis you should also:

• Wash your hands regularly with warm soapy water.
• Wash your pillow cases and face cloths in hot water and detergent.
• Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and put used tissues in the bin.
• Do not share towels and pillows.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• If only one eye is infected avoid touching it and then touching your other eye as it can pass the infection to your other eye.
• Throw away and replace any eye or face makeup you used while infected

Side effects

Any side effects experienced should be mild and temporary:

• Stinging or burning in your eye
• Blurred vision

These side effects should go away after a few minutes, if any persist longer than this discontinue use and contact a healthcare professional.
If you find after using the ointment you bruise more easily, get infections more easily, feel especially tired or weak immediately discontinue use and contact 111 or your GP for further advice. This is highly unlikely to happen with Chloramphenicol eye ointment or eye drops and it usually only seen when it is given intravenously.

Alternatives

Chloramphenicol is available in an eye drop however the drops need to be kept refridgerated. We recommened you visit your local pharmacy if you would you prefer to try the drops. If you would like to try another antibiotic for your infection Brolene Eye Drops are also available.

More Chloramphenicol information

If you would like more information, you can find more information:
NHS - Chloramphenicol
Chloramphenicol information leaflet