Ilotycin (Ophthalmic)

Erythromycin is an antibiotic. Erythromycin ophthalmic preparations are used to treat infections of the eye. They may also be used to prevent certain eye infections in newborns, such as neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum. They can be used along with other medicines for some eye infections.

Erythromycin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

After using eye ointments, your vision may be blurry for a few minutes.

In deciding to use a medicine, it is important to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it may provide. This decision will be made together with your doctor. For this medicine, the following points should be taken into account:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing its use in children to other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way as in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or issues in older adults. There is no specific information comparing the use of this medicine in the elderly to other age groups.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

While some medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if there is a chance of interaction. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose, or other precautions may be needed. When you are taking this medicine, it is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the following medicines. The following interactions have been selected based on their potential significance and are not necessarily a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or the frequency of use for one or both medicines.

• Clindamycin
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken at or around the time of eating food or specific types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Eye irritation not present before therapy

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Ilotycin
• PremierPro RX Erythromycin
• Romycin

In Canada

• Diomycin
• Erythromycin
• Pms-Erythromycin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Ointment

Therapeutic Class: Antibiotic

Chemical Class: Macrolide

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A 1-cm (approximately 1/3-inch) strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using erythromycin eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. Do not miss any doses.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form: For treatment of eye infections: Adults and children—Use in the eyes up to six times a day as directed by your doctor. For prevention of neonatal conjunctivitis and ophthalmia neonatorum: Newborn babies—Use in the eyes once at birth.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.