Natamycin (Ophthalmic)

Natamycin is part of a group of medicines known as antifungals. It is used to treat certain types of fungal infections of the eye.

Natamycin is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Your doctor should monitor your progress during regular visits. For some eye infections, these visits may be as frequent as several times a week.

If your symptoms do not get better within 7 to 10 days, or if they worsen, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must consider the risks and benefits. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

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 other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been done in adults, and there is no specific information comparing the use of natamycin in children to its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older adults. Therefore, it may not be known if they work the same way in older people as they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing the use of natamycin in the elderly with its use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could occur. In these situations, your doctor may need to change the dose, or other precautions may be required. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used 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. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

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

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

• Eye irritation, redness, or swelling that was not present before using this medicine

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, consult 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.

• Natacyn

Available Dosage Forms:

• Suspension

Therapeutic Class: Antifungal

Chemical Class: Polyene

The bottle is only partially full to provide proper drop control.

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. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your condition has improved. 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 fungus infection of the eye: For eye drops dosage form: Adults—Use one drop in the eye every four to six hours. For more serious infections, your doctor may tell you to use one drop in the eye every one or two hours for three or four days, then one drop six to eight times a day thereafter. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take 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. Do not double doses.

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.