How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Fusidic acid belongs to the class of medications called antibiotics. It is used to treat eye infections caused by bacteria that are sensitive to fusidic acid.
Fusidic acid works by preventing the bacteria from reproducing, causing the number of live bacteria to decrease, until there are no more.
Do not wear contact lenses for the time that you are using fusidic acid eye drops. Wearing contact lenses while you have an eye infection may cause eye damage. Some ingredients in eye drops can build up on the lenses, ruining the lens.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Each gram of sterile aqueous viscous eye drop suspension contains fusidic acid (hemihydrate) 10 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride (as preservative), mannitol, carbomer, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide (to adjust pH), water.
How should I use this medication?
For adults and children two years and older, the recommended dose of fusidic acid drops is 1 drop into each eye, every 12 hours for 7 days.
Use this medication for the full length of time that your doctor has recommended. This will reduce the possibility of the infection returning. If the infection has not fully cleared within 7 days, contact your doctor for another assessment.
Be sure to wash your hands before and after using the medication to avoid introducing new bacteria into your eye. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to anything including the eye lashes, as this can contaminate the tube with bacteria. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to properly apply eye drops.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. The multi-dose tubes should be safely discarded 28 days after opening, even if medication is left in the container.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to fusidic acid or any ingredients of the medication.
Do not give this medication to children under 2 years of age.
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- eye soreness
- eye tearing
- headache
- sticky eyelids
- temporarily blurred vision after instilling the drops
- temporary eye stinging, burning, or irritation
- watery eyes
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- eyelid swelling
- worsening eye irritation or redness
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of an allergic reaction (e.g., eye itchiness, swelling)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Contact lenses: Wearing contact lenses while treating an eye infection may cause permanent damage to your eyes. The preservative in many eye medications can build up on the lenses and permanently damage the lenses. If you wear contact lenses, sterilize or replace your current lenses and wear glasses until the infection has completely cleared.
Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged or repeated use of fusidic acid may result in an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi and organisms that are not killed by the medication. This can cause other infections to develop. If eye irritation, redness, or discomfort gets worse or does not clear in 7 days, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Pregnancy: There are no studies that determine the safety of using fusidic acid during pregnancy. This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk when taken by mouth. It is not clear if enough medication from the eye drop form would pass into breast milk to become a problem. If you are breast-feeding and taking fusidic acid, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Fucithalmic-Viscous
