Gentamicin eye drops

About gentamicin eye drops

Gentamicin eye drops are prescribed for bacterial infections of the eyes or eyelids. The drops kill germs (bacteria) which are the cause of infection.

Eye infections are a common cause of conjunctivitis. In conjunctivitis, your eye becomes inflamed, feels gritty, and may water more than usual. The white of your eye may look red, and your eyelids may become swollen and stuck together with a discharge when you wake up in the morning. Only one eye may be infected to begin with, but it often spreads to both eyes. Most cases of infective conjunctivitis clear within a week or so without treatment. For more severe infections, or for infections which do not clear on their own, an antibiotic eye drop such as gentamicin is used.

Gentamicin eye drops are also prescribed for minor eye injuries, such as scratches and abrasions to the cornea - the delicate layer covering the surface of your eye. In such cases, the drops are prescribed to prevent an eye infection from developing while the eye heals.

Before using gentamicin eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using gentamicin drops it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to gentamicin or to any other antibiotic, or to any other eye drops.

• Si toma o utiliza otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to use gentamicin eye drops

Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. It will give you more information about the drops and will provide you with a full list of any side-effects which you may experience from using them. If your eyes have an obvious discharge or 'crust', it can help if you bathe them with cool clean water before using the gentamicin drops.

1. Lávese las manos antes de utilizar las gotas.

2. Retire el tapón de la botella.

3. Inclina un poco la cabeza hacia atrás y tira suavemente del párpado inferior del ojo para formar una bolsa.

4. Sostenga la botella boca abajo cerca del ojo. Procure no tocarse el ojo mientras lo hace.

5. Gently squeeze the bottle to release one drop into your eye. Only use a second drop if the first drop missed going into your eye.

6. Cierre el ojo durante uno o dos minutos y presione suavemente en el lado de la nariz donde el rabillo del ojo se une con la nariz. Esto ayuda a evitar que la gota se escurra y la mantiene en el ojo.

7. Repita el proceso en el otro ojo si le han indicado que utilice las gotas en ambos ojos.

8. Vuelva a colocar la tapa.
   

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Use the drops exactly as you have been advised by your doctor. It is likely that your doctor will have recommended you use the drops three or four times a day, but it may be more frequently than this, particularly on the first day. Try not to miss any doses. If you forget to put the drops in on time, do it as soon as you remember.

• Your eye should start to feel better within a few days. Even when your eye appears normal again, there may still be some germs present. It is important to continue to use gentamicin for a further 48 hours once your eye appears normal. This will help to make sure that all the germs (bacteria) have been killed.

• When you first put the drops into your eye, they may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but make sure you can see clearly before you drive or before using machines or tools.

• Procure evitar el contagio de la infección de un ojo a otro y a otros miembros de su familia. Lavarse las manos con regularidad (sobre todo después de tocarse los ojos) y no compartir toallas ni almohadas ayudará a evitar la propagación de la infección.

• Si la punta del frasco entra en contacto con el ojo o los ojos al echarse las gotas, conviene exprimir dos o tres gotas inmediatamente sobre un pañuelo de papel y enjuagar la punta con agua salada.

• Las infecciones oculares pueden hacer que los ojos se vuelvan más sensibles a la luz solar de lo habitual. Llevar gafas de sol puede ayudar a evitarlo.

• Si utiliza cualquier otro colirio, deje pasar al menos cinco minutos entre la aplicación de cada preparado. Así evitará que entre en el ojo más líquido del que puede soportar. De lo contrario, las gotas rebosarán del ojo y no surtirán el efecto deseado.

• If your symptoms become worse despite using gentamicin drops, you should arrange to see your doctor for advice straightaway. In particular, see your doctor again if your eye becomes painful, if light starts to hurt your eyes, or if your sight is affected.

• No utilice lentes de contacto hasta que los síntomas hayan desaparecido por completo. Espere 24 horas después de la última dosis de colirio antes de volver a utilizar las lentillas.

Can gentamicin eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with gentamicin eye drops. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your medicine, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse al colirio, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

How to store gentamicin eye drops

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Throw away the bottle of eye drops after you have finished your course of treatment, even if there is some liquid left. Do not keep opened bottles to use later, as eye drops must not be used if the bottle has been opened for longer than four weeks.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos