Bleph-10 : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Bleph-10 (Sulfacetamide) ophthalmic stops the growth of bacteria that cause certain eye infections. It is used to treat eye infections and prevent them after injury.

How should this medicine be used?

Bleph-10 (Sulfacetamide) ophthalmic comes as a solution (liquid) to instill in the eyes and an ointment to apply to the eyes. Eye drops are usually instilled every 2 to 3 hours during the day and less frequently at night; the ointment is usually applied four times a day and before bedtime. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Use Bleph-10 exactly as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. Check the dropper tip to make sure it is not chipped or cracked.
3. Avoid touching the tip of the dropper against your eye or anything else; Eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.
4. While tilting your head back, lower the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
5. Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
6. Rest the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
7. While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket formed by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8. Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tilt your head down as if looking at the ground. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
9. Place a finger over the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
10. Wipe any excess fluid from your face with a tissue.
11. If you are using more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.
12. Replace and tighten the dropper bottle cap. Do not clean or rinse the dropper tip.
13. Wash your hands to remove any medicine.

To apply the eye ointment, follow these instructions:

1. Wash your hands well with soap and water.
2. Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else; the tip of the tube must be kept clean.
3. Holding the tube between your thumb and forefinger, place it as close to the eyelid as possible without touching it.
4. Rest the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
5. Tilt your head slightly back.
6. With your index finger, pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket.
7. Squeeze a 1/4 to 1/2 inch tape of ointment into the pocket formed by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
8. The eye blinks slowly; then gently close your eye for 1 to 2 minutes.
9. With a tissue, wipe excess ointment from the eyelids and lashes. With another clean cloth, wipe the tip of the tube.
10. Replace and tighten the cap immediately.
11. Wash your hands to remove any medicine.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using Bleph-10 eye drops or eye ointment,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Bleph-10, sulfonamides, sulfites, or any other medications.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other eye medications and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using Bleph-10, call your doctor immediately.
• You should know that your vision may be blurred during your treatment with Bleph-10 ophthalmic ointment. Avoid rubbing your eyes even if your vision is blurry. Do not drive a car or operate machinery if you cannot see clearly.
• Tell your doctor if you wear soft contact lenses. If the brand of Bleph-10 you are using contains benzalkonium chloride, wait at least 15 minutes after using the medicine to put on your soft contact lenses.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Instill or apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill or double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Bleph-10 may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• temporary stinging or burning of the eye
• increased redness, itching, or swelling of the eye that continues for more than 48 hours

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not let it freeze and do not use discolored (yellowish-brown to deep reddish-brown) eye drops.

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

What other information should I know?

Keep all your appointments with your doctor.

Don’t let anyone use your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish Bleph-10, call your doctor.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

• AK-Sulf
• Bleph-10^®
• Bleph-30^®
• Cetamide^®
• Sodium Sulamyd^®

Disclaimer: We have made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.