Treatment of conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, and other superficial infections of the eye caused by susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, viridans streptococci, Haemophilus influenzae, Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella.
Used alone or in fixed combination with topical corticosteroids (e.g., fluorometholone, prednisolone) when such combination therapy is indicated.
Ineffective for treatment of infections caused by Neisseria, Serratia marcescens, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Consider that staphylococci frequently are resistant to sulfonamides.
Chlamydial Ophthalmic Infections
Has been used as an adjunct to systemic anti-infectives for treatment of trachoma; however, systemic anti-infectives are recommended. No data to support use of topical anti-infectives in conjunction with systemic therapy.
Dosage and Administration
Administration
Ophthalmic Administration
Apply topically to the eye(s) as an ophthalmic ointment, solution, or suspension.
Not for injection; do not inject subconjunctivally or instill directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.
Available as fixed combinations containing sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone acetate, prednisolone sodium phosphate, or fluorometholone; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.
Pediatric Patients
Bacterial Ophthalmic Infections
Sulfacetamide 10%
Ophthalmic Solution
Children ≥2 months of age: Initially, 1 or 2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 2–3 hours. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves. Usual duration of treatment is 7–10 days.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Fluorometholone 0.1%
Ophthalmic Suspension
Children ≥2 years of age: 1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 4 times daily. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Prednisolone Acetate 0.2%
Ophthalmic Ointment
Children ≥6 years of age: Apply a 1.25-cm ribbon into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 3 or 4 times daily during the day and once or twice during the night. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Ophthalmic Suspension
Children ≥6 years of age: 2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 4 hours during the day and at bedtime. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 0.25%
Ophthalmic Solution
Children ≥6 years of age: 2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 4 hours. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Chlamydial Ophthalmic Infections
Trachoma
Ophthalmic Solution
Sulfacetamide 10% in children ≥2 months of age: 2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 2 hours in conjunction with systemic anti-infectives.
Adults
Bacterial Ophthalmic Infections
Sulfacetamide 10%
Ophthalmic Solution
Initially, 1 or 2 drops of solution into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 2–3 hours. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves. Usual duration of treatment is 7–10 days.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Fluorometholone 0.1%
Ophthalmic Suspension
1 drop into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 4 times daily. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Prednisolone Acetate 0.2%
Ophthalmic Ointment
Apply a 1.25-cm ribbon into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) 3 or 4 times daily during the day and once or twice during the night. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Ophthalmic Suspension
2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 4 hours during the day and at bedtime. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Sulfacetamide 10% and Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate 0.25%
Ophthalmic Solution
2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 4 hours. Reduce dosing frequency as infection improves.
If improvement does not occur after 2 days, reevaluate the patient. Do not discontinue prematurely.
When discontinuing therapy in chronic conditions, gradually taper dosing frequency.
Chlamydial Ophthalmic Infections
Trachoma
Ophthalmic Solution
Sulfacetamide 10%: 2 drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every 2 hours, in conjunction with systemic anti-infectives.
Special Populations
No special population dosage recommendations at this time.
Drug Info Tools
