gentamicin and prednisolone (ophthalmic)
What is the most important information I should know about gentamicin and prednisolone?
You should not use this medicine if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).
What is gentamicin and prednisolone?
Gentamicin and prednisolone ophthalmic (for the eyes) is a combination antibiotic and steroid medicine that is used to treat eye inflammation caused by uveitis, eye injury, radiation, chemical burns, or certain other conditions.
This medicine is used when there is a risk of bacterial infection in or around the eye.
Gentamicin and prednisolone ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using gentamicin and prednisolone?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to gentamicin or prednisolone, or if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use gentamicin and prednisolone?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Wash your hands before using eye medication.
Shake the eye drops well just before each use.
To apply the eye drops: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.
Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed.
Do not the eye drops use while wearing soft contact lenses. A preservative in this medicine could permanently stain the lenses. Use the medicine at least 15 minutes before inserting your contact lenses.
To apply the ointment: Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment from the tube into this pocket. Blink your eye gently and then keep it closed for 1 or 2 minutes. Wipe excess ointment from your eyelashes using a clean tissue.
Do not touch the tip of the dropper or tube, or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated tip can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle or tube tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of gentamicin and prednisolone ophthalmic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.
What should I avoid while using gentamicin and prednisolone?
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Avoid driving or doing anything that requires you to be able to see clearly. You may have blurred vision for a short time.
Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.
What are the possible side effects of gentamicin and prednisolone?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Serious side effects are unlikely when gentamicin and prednisolone is used in the eyes, but can occur if the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection);
- eye pain, tearing, sensitivity to light;
- blurred vision, tunnel vision, seeing halos around lights; or
- a wound that will not heal.
Stop using this medicine and talk to your doctor if you have new or worsening eye pain or swelling that lasts longer than 48 hours.
Common side effects may include:
- burning, stinging, redness, or other irritation of the eyes;
- blurred vision;
- feeling like something is in your eye; or
- unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect gentamicin and prednisolone?
Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about gentamicin and prednisolone ophthalmic.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 7.01. Revision date: 11/28/2018.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.