EYE(S) - Conjunctivitis, Acute Bacterial

(Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae)

Erythromycin

(Ilotycin^®)

Generics available

Pregnancy: B; Lactation: Safe

Ophth Oint 0.5%

Children and Adult: Apply ribbon to lower lid of affected eye(s) every 3-4 hours while awake. Continue for 5-10 days.

Important side effects: Blurring of vision.

Polymyxin B + Trimethoprim

(Polytrim^®)

Pregnancy: C; Lactation: Unk

Ophth Sol:

10,000 U polymyxin/1 mg/mL

trimethoprim

Children >2 months to Adult: Apply 1-2 drops to affected eye(s) every 3 hours while awake. Continue for 5-10 days. Max

6 gtt/day.

Polymyxin B + Bacitracin

(Polysporin^®)

Generics available

Pregnancy: C; Lactation: Unk

Ophth Oint: 3.5-g tube

Children >2 months to Adult: Apply ribbon to lower lid of affected eye(s) every 3-4 hours while awake for acute infection, or two to three times daily for moderate infection for 5-10 days.

Important side effects: Blurring of vision.

Sulfacetamide

(Sodium Sulamyd^®, Bleph-10^®, Sulf-10^®)

Generics available

Pregnancy: C; Lactation: Unsafe

Soln: 10%, 15%, 30%

Oint: 10%

Children and Adult: Instill 1-2 drops to lower conjunctival sac of affected eye(s) every 1-3 hours while awake for 7-10 days.

OR

½-inch ribbon on lower conjunctival sac of affected eye(s) 4 times daily and at bedtime for 7-10 days.

Important side effects: Burning and sensitivity to light. Ointment may cause blurring of vision.

A Fluoroquinolone

Ciloxan^® (Ciprofloxacin)

Quixin^® (Levofloxacin)

Ocuflox^® (Ofloxacin)

Avelox^® (Moxifloxacin)

Pregnancy: C; Lactation: Unsafe

Ophth Sol: 2.5 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL     

Adult: Instill 1-2 drops into affected eye(s) every 2 hours while awake for two days, then every 4 hours while awake for 5 days.

Oral Treatment

Adult:

Ceftriaxone 1g IM x 1 dose effective PLUS azithromycin 1 g PO x 1 dose

OR 

doxycycline 100 mg PO twice daily x 7-10d