What is gentamicin ophthalmic? 

Gentamicin ophthalmic is an antibiotic. 

Gentamicin ophthalmic is used to treat bacterial infections of the eyes. 

Gentamicin ophthalmic may also be used  for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. 

What is the most important information I  should know about gentamicin ophthalmic?

• Do not touch  the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening  is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your eye. 
• Apply light pressure  to the inside corner of  your eye (near  your nose) after each drop  to prevent the fluid from draining down your tear ducts. 

Who should  not use  gentamicin ophthalmic?

Do not use gentamicin ophthalmic if you have a viral  or fungal infection in your eye. It is used to treat infections caused  by bacteria only. It is not known whether gentamicin ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Do not use gentamicin ophthalmic without first talking to  your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether gentamicin ophthalmic passes into breast milk. Do not  use gentamicin ophthalmic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

How should I use gentamicin ophthalmic? 

Use gentamicin ophthalmic eyedrops  or ointment exactly as directed by  your doctor. If you do  not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,  or doctor to explain them to you. 

Wash your hands before using  the eyedrops or ointment. 

To apply  the eyedrops: 

Shake the drops gently  to be sure the medicine is well mixed. Tilt your head  back slightly  and pull  down on  your lower eyelid. Position  the dropper above your eye. Look up  and away from  the dropper. Squeeze out a drop and close your eye. Apply gentle pressure  to the inside corner of your eye (near your nose) for about 1 minute to prevent  the liquid from draining down  your tear duct. If you are using more than one drop in  the same  eye or drops in both eyes, repeat the process with about 5 minutes between drops. 

To apply  the ointment: 

Hold  the tube in your hand for a few minutes to warm it up so that  the ointment comes out easily. Tilt your head back slightly  and pull down gently  on your lower eyelid. Apply a thin film  of the ointment into your lower eyelid.  Close your eye and roll  your eyeball around in all directions  for 1  to 2 minutes. If you are applying another eye medication, allow at least 10 minutes before  the next application. 

Do not touch  the dropper or tube opening to any surface, including your eyes or hands. The dropper or tube opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause an infection in your  eye. Do not use any eyedrop that is discolored or has particles in it. Store gentamicin ophthalmic at room temperature away from moisture  and heat. Keep  the bottle  or tube properly capped.

What happens if I miss  a dose? 

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and  use the next one as directed. Do not use a double dose of this medication. 

What happens if I overdose? 

An overdose of this medication is unlikely to occur. If you do suspect an overdose, wash the eye  with water and call an emergency room or poison control center near you. If the drops or ointment have been ingested, drink plenty of fluid and call an emergency center for advice. 

What should I avoid while using gentamicin ophthalmic? 

Use caution when driving, operating machinery,  or performing other hazardous activities. Gentamicin ophthalmic may cause blurred vision. If you experience blurred vision, avoid these activities. 

If you wear contact lenses, ask  your doctor if you should wear them during treatment. After applying this medication, wait at least 15 minutes before inserting contact lenses, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. 

Do not use other  eye drops or medications during treatment with gentamicin ophthalmic unless otherwise directed by your doctor. 

Gentamicin ophthalmic side effects 

Serious side effects are not expected  to occur during treatment with this medication. 

Commonly, some eye burning, stinging, irritation, itching, redness, blurred vision, eyelid itching, eyelid swelling, or sensitivity to light may occur. 

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 

What  other drugs will affect gentamicin ophthalmic? 

Do not use other eye drops or medications during treatment with gentamicin ophthalmic  unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with gentamicin ophthalmic. Talk  to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. 

Where can I get more information? 

• Your pharmacist has additional information about gentamicin ophthalmic written  for health professionals that you may read. 
• 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. 

Notes: Dr. Nelson Crumfield

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EditText of this page (last edited June 20, 2010)