Instructions for use of Tetracycline eye ointment

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Author of the article

Evgeniy Nikolaevich Konoplev

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Any injury in the form of an abrasion, scratch or animal bite can lead to the development of infection. And getting inflammation of the eyes is even easier: just rub or scratch them with unwashed hands. Treatment in such situations is long-term, requiring local use of drugs with antibiotics. One of them is Tetracycline ointment, which successfully combats such troubles.

Description and composition

The drug contains tetracycline as an active ingredient.
Tetracycline eye ointment has the following auxiliary components: petrolatum, lanolin.

3 percent ointment also contains: lanolin, ceresin, petroleum jelly, paraffin, sodium disulfite.

Tetracycline hydrochloride - the main active ingredient of Tetracycline ointment is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It disrupts the process of combining transfer RNA with the ribosome, thereby suppressing protein synthesis by bacteria.

The ointment contains the following excipients:

• anhydrous lanolin;
• sodium pyrosulfite;
• petrolatum;
• ceresin

Tetracycline ointment is intended exclusively for external use, has a yellow tint and is produced by manufacturers in aluminum tubes of various sizes.

The drug has proven effectiveness against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including:

• staphylococcus;
• streptococcus;
• gonococcus;
• mycoplasma;
• E. coli;
• salmonella;
• Klebsiella

The following microorganisms are resistant to the antibiotic tetracycline:

• yeast-like fungus;
• Proteus;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• And streptococcus.

There are two forms of Tetracycline ointment. Depending on the concentration of the active substance:

1. 3% ointment (for the treatment of skin diseases);
2. 1% ointment (for the treatment of eye diseases).

The main component of the drug is tetracycline hydrochloride. This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It was obtained in 1952 chemically. Tetracycline is a semi-synthetic antibiotic, which is a product of modification of natural molecules. Auxiliary components of tetracycline-based ointment are:

• staphylococci;
• streptococci;
• enterobacteria;
• salmonella;
• Klebsiella

Tetracycline ointment can only be used externally. For the treatment of ophthalmological diseases, ophthalmologists usually prescribe a 1% drug. This is the optimal concentration for the eyes. The ointment does not cause discomfort and is absolutely safe for the mucous membrane. The use of this drug is easily tolerated by adults and children.

To treat blepharitis, doctors may prescribe 3% tetracycline ointment. This drug can be used to lubricate the eyelids. It is important to ensure that the components of the drug do not get on the mucous membrane. The use of 1% ointment is considered safer. It effectively fights bacteria and is gentle. 3% tetracycline ointment is usually prescribed for severe forms of blepharitis.

pharmachologic effect

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic from the tetracycline group. It disrupts the formation of the complex between transfer RNA and the ribosome, which leads to disruption of protein synthesis.

Active against gram-positive (Staphylococcus spp., including those producing penicillinase; Streptococcus spp. (including Streptococcus pneumoniae); Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria spp., Bacillus anthracis) and gram-negative microorganisms (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Bordetella pertussis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp., Shigella spp.), as well as Ricketsia spp., Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Treponema spp. Resistant: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus spp., Serratia spp., most strains of Bacteroides spp. and fungi, small viruses, group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (including 44% of Streptococcus pyogenes strains and 74% of Streptococcus faecalis strains).

Tetracycline (eye ointment) has a very wide range of effects on the affected areas of the eyelids or skin. This is due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which have a direct effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which are the cause of infections. The drug does not have painful components, therefore it is absorbed gently and easily when applied to the affected area of ​​the skin. Due to inhibition of protein synthesis, it has a bacteriostatic nature.

Indications for use

The antibiotic tetracycline is used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, but its use in ointment form is limited. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of two types of diseases:

1. Inflammations in the eye area - conjunctivitis, blepharitis, trachoma, stye, keratitis, etc.
2. Infectious skin pathologies - acne, eczema, furunculosis, rashes or folliculitis.

Important! Some people believe that this drug can be used to treat

cold sore lips

or dry rhinitis (the appearance of crusts in the nasal cavity). It's a delusion. Tetracycline ointment does not act on viruses, so its treatment of herpes caused by a viral infection is ineffective. Rhinitis appears due to atrophy of the nasal mucosa, which is also in no way related to bacteria.

Tetracycline ointment is contraindicated for:

• leukopenia;
• extensive fungal infection (mycosis);
• allergies to tetracycline substances;
• liver failure;
• stomach ulcer.

Tetracycline ointment should not be used simultaneously with penicillins, drugs with metal ions or antacids, cephalosporins and retinol. It is recommended not to combine the medicine with colestipol or cholestyramine, as this impairs the absorption of the antibiotic.

Possible side effects from using tetracycline ointment include:

• allergic skin reactions (rash, itching, swelling);
• visual impairment (photosensitivity - hypersensitivity to light);
• darkening of teeth (with long-term therapy);
• candidiasis (fungal infection).

The use of Tetracycline ointment 3% is indicated for skin diseases: acne, furunculosis, infected eczema, streptostaphyloderma, trophic ulcers. For what exactly this remedy will help in each specific case, it is better to consult a specialist.

Ointment 1% is used for barley, trachoma, blepharitis, conjunctivitis and other infectious diseases. For what and in what dosages to use this remedy, it is also better to consult a doctor.

If the patient needs to treat barley and other eye diseases, the drug cannot be used simultaneously with other drugs of similar action. In addition, it is contraindicated in case of individual intolerance.

The remedy for skin diseases cannot be used in cases of liver dysfunction, mycoses, leukopenia, or hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. In addition, the ointment is contraindicated for children under 8 years of age and women during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The use of Tetracycline ointment is indicated to eliminate:

1. Infectious lesions of the skin:

• rash;
• acne;
• boils;
• eczema.

1. Bacterial inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye:

• conjunctivitis;
• barley;
• trachoma.

Tetracycline ointment is widely used in the treatment of skin diseases with the aim of speedy healing of wound surfaces and ulcers.

Features and indications for use in dermatology:

1. It is acceptable to use ointment in compresses that relieve inflammation and eliminate the accumulation of purulent contents.
2. The drug is often used to treat acne (acne, acne), including in complicated cases with a large number of foci of inflammation and ulcers.
3. In the treatment of furunculosis, the effectiveness of the drug is ensured by the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms that caused the disease and the accelerated healing of the resulting wounds.
4. The duration of therapy is determined by the stage and severity of the disease, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
5. The product is applied to the skin in a thin layer 2-3 times a day, or on a gauze compress, which should be changed every 12 hours.
6. To prevent the spread of the infectious process throughout the skin, the ointment is applied not only to the lesions, but also to the adjacent areas of the skin.

Approximate duration of treatment with Tetracycline:

1. For acne (pimples, acne) – from 1 to 8 weeks, depending on the severity of the disease.
2. For pustular infections (furunculosis, folliculitis, eczema, ulcerative skin lesions with bacterial complications), therapy is carried out until the inflammation is completely healed, by applying a thick layer of ointment to gauze compresses.

Herpes

Considering that herpes on the lips, manifested by the appearance of watery blisters, is a viral and not a bacterial infection, it is impossible to cure the disease with Tetracycline ointment. Nevertheless, the drug is used as part of complex therapy to prevent the spread of rashes to adjacent areas of the skin.

For preventive purposes, the ointment is applied to areas of the skin affected by herpes 4 times a day in a thick layer, covering healthy skin.

If you start treatment for herpes at the first signs of its development, then there is a high probability of avoiding exacerbation of the disease and eliminating unpleasant symptoms within 24 hours. If therapy is started later, the course of treatment may last up to four days.

Tetracycline ointment is used in the treatment and prevention of the development of herpes until the symptoms disappear completely and for another day after the signs of the disease disappear.

It is recommended to use the product in combination with the antiviral ointment Acyclovir.

Eye diseases

The use of Tetracycline ointment is indicated for inflammatory diseases of the mucous membranes of the eye of a bacterial nature.

The duration and features of treatment depend on the diagnosed disease:

1. For barley, blepharitis and conjunctivitis of bacterial origin, the drug is applied daily until signs of the disease are completely eliminated and for a few more days for preventive purposes.
2. For trachoma, the use of ointment is combined with the use of other antibiotics and antiseptics. Treatment lasts 2-3 weeks, as a result of which scars may form, so therapy is carried out under the supervision of an ophthalmologist.
3. It is acceptable to use the ointment to prevent infectious lesions with a high risk of developing infectious diseases of the eye, as a complication of injuries to the skull or eyeball.
4. The product is used after surgery on the organs of vision to prevent the development of infectious processes (used for 2-3 days).

Tetracycline ointment for the treatment of bacterial diseases is not recommended for use in:

• chronic liver and kidney diseases in the inflammation stage;
• mycoses (fungal inflammatory processes);
• the first trimester of pregnancy (the active ingredient of the drug negatively affects the formation of internal organs and systems of the fetus and can lead to demineralization of bone tissue and damage to the integrity of teeth);
• acne, the appearance of which is associated with hormonal changes in the body, including teenage acne associated with puberty.
• children under 8 years of age.

The drug is in most cases well tolerated by patients, but can sometimes lead to the development of the following side effects:

• allergic rashes;
• skin hyperemia;
• photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation);
• itching;
• burning and tingling;
• Quincke's edema;
• darkening of tooth enamel;
• poisoning with nausea, vomiting, digestive disorders and normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract (with prolonged use and accumulation of tetracycline in the body).

If any of the described side effects occur, stop using the drug and undergo additional examination in order to select a different antibacterial drug for further therapy.

Application for children

Tetracycline eye ointment for children is allowed to be used if indicated at the age of at least 8 years . This is only possible on the recommendation of a specialist. As an exception, ophthalmologists prescribe 1% tetracycline eye ointment for children under one year of age. But parents are not allowed to do this without permission, without consulting an ophthalmologist.

The 3% drug is not prescribed to newborns, since when the drug enters the blood through the skin, transformations occur in the baby’s body, leading to darkening of the enamel of the teeth, which should erupt in the near future.

When a pediatrician prescribes tetracycline ointment for the treatment of infectious eye diseases in children, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules of use and dosage.

Interaction

Broad-spectrum antibiotic intended for topical use.

When using a product against skin diseases, itching, redness, and a burning sensation may occur. In this case, the use of the ointment should be stopped immediately. In addition, side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dysphagia, esophagitis, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, glossitis have been reported.

In rare cases, angioedema and photosensitivity have been reported. With prolonged use of the drug, candidiasis, deficiency of B vitamins, thrombocytopenia, temporary increase in the level of liver transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and residual nitrogen may appear. The development of intestinal dysbiosis, neutropenia, and hemolytic anemia is also noted.

Eye ointment is generally well tolerated by patients. However, in rare cases, when using it, a decrease in appetite, vomiting, changes in the mucous membranes, Quincke's edema, nausea, diarrhea, and allergic skin reactions are observed. In addition, the product may increase skin sensitivity to sunlight.

If signs of hypersensitivity to the drug and negative side effects appear, you should take a break from use. If necessary, you can start using a different antibiotic.

This remedy should not be used simultaneously with other topical medications that also treat eye diseases.

Side effects

• Allergy;
• Dyspeptic disorders: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite;
• Fungal infections of the skin , most often by candida fungi, with prolonged or unsystematic use;
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity;
• Exacerbation of inflammation of the stomach and rectum;
• Increased sensitivity of the skin to solar radiation and the formation of burns on it (with direct and prolonged exposure);
• Giving a rich yellow color to tooth enamel in children (during tooth growth).

If side effects develop, the drug is discontinued and replaced with an antibiotic that does not contain tetracycline.

Overdose

The ointment is yellow in color, available in aluminum tubes of 10, 30 and 50 g. The content of the active substance - tetracycline hydrochloride - can be 1% and 3%, the rest is auxiliary components (anhydrous lanolin and petroleum jelly). The drug can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor.

When treating eye infections, 1% ointment is used:

• Styes, bacterial blepharitis or conjunctivitis begin to be treated immediately after the first symptoms are detected (purulent discharge from the eyes, redness of the mucous membrane, discomfort) until they are stopped for two days of preventive use.
• Trachoma (chlamydial inflammation) is treated for 14-17 days. Additionally, you must take other antibacterial agents prescribed by your doctor. The healing process should be monitored by an ophthalmologist to prevent possible complications - the appearance of scars on the eyelids, loss of vision or changes in the cornea.
• To prevent infection in the eye area after injury or surgery, it is recommended to use the ointment for 2-3 days.

In the treatment of skin diseases, 3% ointment is used:

• Acne is treated with tetracycline ointment for 1-8 weeks, the exact period of the therapeutic course is calculated depending on the severity of the disease.
• Pustular infections (boils, inflammation of hair follicles), ulcers and eczema are recommended to be treated with compresses from this ointment - a thick layer of medicine is applied to a gauze bandage, then the product is applied to the affected area and left for 12 hours. The procedure is repeated daily until the skin is completely healed.
• Tetracycline ointment is also used in gynecology for vulvitis (inflammatory process of the external genitalia). This infection is treated for 1 week.

For eye diseases, the ointment is applied daily 1-3 times directly behind the lower eyelid: it is slightly pulled back with your fingers and 3-5 mm of medication is squeezed onto the mucous membrane. Avoid contact of the tube with the inflamed area and wipe the tip after use with a clean swab to avoid introducing dirt inside.

Tetracycline ointment should be applied to the skin in a thin layer (2-3 times a day), covering healthy areas around the inflammation. It is first necessary to cleanse the skin of cosmetics, sebaceous gland secretions and other contaminants. If acne appears due to mechanical irritation (shaving, using harsh scrubs, etc.), you will have to wait at least 30 minutes before using the medicine.

For blepharitis of the eyelids, ophthalmologists prescribe antibiotics, steroids, antiseptics and antihistamines. Other drugs may be prescribed, for example, sulfonamides - antimicrobial agents. The method of treating the disease is selected by an ophthalmologist. It is based on the type of blepharitis, the degree of its progression, the patient’s age and the presence of contraindications for taking medications.

The most effective method of combating the disease is local treatment. Many ophthalmologists think so. The use of ointments and gels allows you to influence the source of inflammation. When they come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eye, they help normalize secretions. If the recommendations for regular use were not violated by the patient, then after a couple of weeks the redness and swelling disappear.

• relief of symptoms;
• prevention of complications;
• reduction of bacterial activity.

Some medications used in the treatment of blepharitis include artificial hormones. They effectively fight purulent discharge and accumulations of mucus in the corners of the eyes. Hormone therapy is considered the most effective, but unsafe for humans. Therefore, you can take such medications only as prescribed by an ophthalmologist.

Using tetracycline ointment helps keep your eyes moist. This reduces the need for tear film and fat cell production. The main active ingredient of the drug is an antibiotic. When it acts on the affected areas, irritation, redness and itching disappear. Tetracycline prevents the multiplication of viruses and “blocks” their action.

For those who are indicated for use of Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment, the instructions for use indicate that it should be applied intraconjunctivally. This is done using a sterile stick.

It is very important to know not only how to apply the ointment, but also how to distribute it. This should be done using a cotton-gauze swab. Several massaging movements are performed on the outside of the eyelid.

Tetracycline ointment for conjunctivitis and other eye diseases should be used 3-5 times a day. The average course of treatment is 5-7 days. Depending on the severity of the disease, Tetracycline eye ointment can be used in a dosage of 0.2-0.4 g.

The remedy for skin diseases is applied directly to the affected areas. This should be done 1-2 times a day. The instructions for use of Tetracycline ointment also indicate that it can be used with a bandage that is changed every 12-24 hours. You can use the product from several days to 2-3 weeks.

In cases where Tetracycline ointment for acne is used, it is applied to each pimple, that is, pointwise.

According to the instructions, cases of overdose with the drug when applied topically have not been observed.

For newborns, this remedy is used for certain ophthalmic diseases. But at the same time, you need to observe the exact dosage and strictly follow the treatment regimen.

The appropriateness of using this product for infants should be assessed by a pediatrician. The drug can be given only after the body’s hypersensitivity to its components has been ruled out.

In the absence of special prescriptions from a doctor, Tetracycline ointment is used as follows:

1. Before applying the drug, the skin must be cleaned with soap and water.
2. Apply the ointment in one thin layer to prevent overdose and the development of an allergic reaction.
3. When treating acne, treat not only the affected, but also healthy areas of the skin.
4. If it is necessary to use the product on hairy areas of the skin, the hair should be shaved an hour before applying the drug.
5. If side effects occur in the form of burning, severe redness and tingling, the ointment is washed off without waiting for the end of its effect.
6. The drug is applied twice a day with an interval of 12 hours. More frequent use may lead to addiction of pathogens and lack of a positive response to therapy.
7. The maximum duration of use of the ointment is 1 month.

Instructions for use of Tetracycline eye ointment suggest the following application options:

• for eye diseases, place behind the lower eyelid 3-5 times a day;
• for bacterial diseases of the ears, apply turunda to the auricle and place it;
• for burns and wounds, apply a thin layer and apply a bandage on top 2 times a day;
• in case of an advanced runny nose of a bactericidal nature, a pea-sized ball is placed with cotton swabs into the nasal passages 2 times a day;
• for thrush it is rarely used, only when there is a bacterial infection - smear the perineum 2-3 times a day;
• for bleeding hemorrhoids and infection, also apply 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days.

Algorithm for placing ointment behind the lower eyelid

Tetracycline eye ointment is used mainly in a 15% concentration (for eyes 1%) - the therapeutic effect will be complete, but the development of side effects will be avoided. The drug treats any infectious processes in the eyeballs, even if they are accompanied by the formation of purulent exudate.

General recommendations in the official instructions imply the use of Tetracycline ointment against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, these include:

• staphylococci and streptococci;
• shigella;
• whooping cough stick;
• gonococci;
• salmonella;
• coli;
• dysentery bacillus;
• enterobacteria.

Tetracycline ointment is used in the treatment of barley.
The drug does not have a therapeutic effect in viral or fungal diseases of an infectious nature; it is useless in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. That is why doctors insist, before starting a course of treatment with Tetracycline ointment, to undergo an examination and identify the true cause of the development of the inflammatory-infectious disease and isolate the causative agent of the pathology.

Mode of application

The ointment is used exclusively topically.

According to the instructions for using tetracycline eye ointment, squeeze out a strip of ointment about 0.5 cm long, then carefully place it behind the lower eyelid.

In this case, use a special spatula or fingertip. The procedure is repeated after 2-4 hours in the same sequence.

When applying the ointment, do not touch the mucous membrane of the eyes with the tip of the tube , otherwise you can injure it. After completing the manipulation, it is recommended to lie down for a few minutes with your eyelids closed. Excess product should be removed with a cotton pad, paper or gauze napkin.

The course of therapy lasts 1-2 months and depends on the severity of the pathology. During treatment, blurred or blurred vision may occur. There is no need to be afraid of this.

Along with ointment, systemically acting medications can also be used as prescribed by a doctor.

Features of application

The use of Tetracycline ointment in the treatment of various diseases has the following features:

1. Do not apply the drug to deep wound surfaces, severe burns, or puncture wounds.
2. It is forbidden to apply ointment in a 3% concentration to the mucous membranes of the eyes;
3. You should stop using the product if, after two weeks of treatment, the unwanted symptoms of the disease do not go away and the inflamed areas of the skin do not heal.
4. When treating eye diseases, the ointment is discontinued if symptoms do not go away 5 days after the start of therapy.
5. After applying the product under the lower eyelid, temporary blurred vision may occur. You should not drive or carry out dangerous work that requires attention earlier than half an hour after applying the ointment.
6. Before using the drug in the treatment of eye and skin diseases in an animal, you should first consult with a veterinarian.
7. The ointment must be applied very carefully, as it does not dissolve with water and leaves stains on fabrics.

Despite the fact that Tetracycline ointment is an over-the-counter drug, it should not be used without prescription, like any other antibacterial drug, so as not to cause harm to the body.

Reviews of Tetracycline ointment

Ksenia, 24 years old

“Every girl has probably encountered acne and acne, and I am no exception. At one time, I got a lot of pimples, and I tried all the cosmetic tonics and acne creams on myself, but I didn’t get any results. My mother advised me to try the pharmacy ointment “Tetracycline” and the result exceeded all my expectations.

Natasha, 28 years old

“Tetracycline ointment is always in my medicine cabinet, as it is effective not only against any rashes, but also against inflammation. I use it to heal wounds on the skin and to eliminate purulent rashes if they arise, and neither of these leaves a trace very quickly, so the ointment is a real lifesaver.”

Maryana, 30 years old

“Even as a child, I was prescribed Tetracycline ointment to treat barley, and just recently I had to face the problem again, and I immediately remembered what to treat. I put the medicine under the lower eyelid at night, as visibility deteriorates after application. After the stye broke through, the inflammation immediately disappeared.

Opinions about this drug are mostly positive. Reviews of Tetracycline ointment contain virtually no reports of side effects, but patients praise the rapid action and good effect. Moreover, people often use the same remedy for both eye and skin diseases.

Reviews of the eye ointment also report that it can be used on animals. Among the negative aspects, patients note only the unpleasant smell of the product.

Reviews

We invite you to read reviews from people who have used Tetracycline ointment:

1. Nina. When exposed to the wind for a long time, the skin of my eyelids turns red, and after the night I notice discharge on my eyelashes. My husband persuaded me to go to an ophthalmologist, who, after an examination, diagnosed conjunctivitis. The prescribed treatment was inexpensive and simple: I was required to apply tetracycline ointment to my eyelids for eight days. This remedy helped me, the symptoms disappeared.
2. Olga. I had experience using this ointment. For no apparent reason in the morning my eyes began to stick together from pus, I looked on the Internet and came across information about tetracycline ointment. bought it. the drug is cheap. I applied the ointment before going to bed, and after three days everything went away.
3. Natalia. Yesterday I woke up in the morning with a feeling of pain in my eyes and sensitivity to light, it felt like sand was poured into me. Mom said it was conjunctivitis and advised me to use tetracycline ointment. I did just that, and I felt the effect of this remedy within a few hours: the pain went away, I could open my eyes calmly. I recommend this ointment to everyone.

Main characteristics of Tetracycline ointment

Tetracycline ointment is an affordable drug that has a powerful antibacterial effect. It is available in pharmacies without a prescription, but requires strict compliance with the instructions to avoid side effects.

Tetracycline is an antibiotic and, despite the external use of the ointment, you must follow the rules for using antibacterial drugs. In particular, the product is contraindicated for people who are allergic to the main active ingredient. The duration of the course of therapy should be short, it is necessary to monitor the disease, and if there is no positive dynamics within 3 days, the drug will have to be changed.

Tetracycline ointment is not a hormonal drug, but it is contraindicated for use in pediatric practice under the age of 8 years. Some pharmacists and doctors do not recommend using this remedy in the treatment of infections and inflammations before the age of 11.

Special instructions and interactions with other drugs

Patients who see a blurred visual image after using Tetracycline ointment are not recommended to take control of a car, complex equipment, etc. during treatment.

Do not use ointment during teething in children to prevent the enamel from turning yellow.

Prescribing Tetracycline ointment requires caution if the patient is susceptible to food allergies or hay fever, even if it is not used during their exacerbation.

Tetracycline eye ointment significantly enhances the effectiveness of glucocorticosteroids; this should be taken into account when calculating their dose.

If a few days after treatment the patient’s condition does not improve, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist.

Pregnant and lactating women should use the medication with caution, since the drug has not been tested on this group of patients.

In this case, the patient can use the ointment after a doctor’s prescription. The drug is prescribed only if the positive effect on the mother outweighs the potential risk to the baby.

Analogs

Colbiocin

Gentamicin

Levomycetin

Fucithalmic

Tobrex

Analogs of this product are not found very often in pharmacies. The active ingredient and ATX code for the eye ointment are the same as a drug called Tetracycline. Other analogues of the drug are not available.

Analogues of Tetracycline ointment contain either the same active substance or a similar one in action, and these are Tobrex, Dex-gentamicin, Hydrocortisone, Levomycetin, Erythromycin ointment. Such drugs are selected when it is necessary to reduce the likelihood of side effects and to exclude contraindications.

Tobrex

The antibacterial drug Tobrex is actively used in ophthalmic practice and belongs to the category of aminoglycosides. The main active ingredient is tobracymine, auxiliary components are liquid paraffin, medical petroleum jelly and chlorobutanol.

Indications for use of the ointment:

• keratitis;
• blepharitis;
• conjunctivitis;
• iridocyclitis.

Contraindicated for use in pediatric practice and in cases of previously identified excessive sensitivity or individual intolerance to the components of the ointment. There are very rare reports of side effects - swelling of the eyelids, redness of the eyeball, itching and burning sensation. The instructions indicate that after using Tobrex you should not drive a car or operate complex machinery.

The price of the drug is 180-220 rubles.

Dexa-gentamicin

Dex-gentamicin is available in the form of drops and is used to treat ophthalmic diseases. It contains two active ingredients:

• dexamethasone – corticosteroid;
• gentamicin sulfate is an antibiotic.

The drug has a complex effect - antiallergic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Applicable for:

• keratitis;
• blepharitis;
• conjunctivitis.

Dex-gentamicin is often used in the postoperative period to prevent the development of inflammation of the eyeball. Contraindications to the drug:

• purulent diseases in ophthalmology;
• mycobacterial infections;
• persistently high intraocular pressure;
• individual intolerance to components.

Side effects only appear with long-term use of the drug; it is not recommended to use eye drops immediately before driving. During the entire course of therapy, wearing contact lenses is prohibited.

The cost of Dex-gentamicin drops is 140-150 rubles.

Hydrocortisone ointment

Hydrocortisone ointment is used to treat dermatological infectious and bacterial diseases. It is advisable to use it in the treatment of dermatitis of various origins (allergic, contact, etc.), eczema, seborrhea, and psoriatic lesions. It is possible to prescribe an ointment for the treatment of ophthalmic pathologies, but this is done extremely rarely. Contraindications to the use of Hydrocortisone ointment:

• rashes due to progressive syphilis;
• child's age up to 2 years;
• oral type dermatitis;
• any damage to the skin and mucous membranes - open wounds, scratches, ulcerative lesions;
• previously diagnosed tuberculosis of the skin, eyes;
• skin cancer;
• fungal, viral infections of the skin and eyes.

Hydrocortisone has a large list of possible side effects:

• deterioration of visual acuity (in some cases the indicator “falls” to critical figures);
• “unauthorized” increase in intraocular pressure;
• cataract;
• epidermal atrophy;
• profuse rashes (acne);
• pinpoint hemorrhages;
• stretch marks.

The price of the drug is 30-55 rubles.

Levomycetin

Levomycetin ointment is often chosen as an analogue of tetracycline in pediatric practice - it is allowed to be used from the age of 1 month. The drug has a powerful antibacterial effect and is used to treat inflammatory and infectious pathologies of the organs of vision and dermatological diseases - necrosis, bedsores, bacterial eczema, extensive burns (thermal or chemical), furunculosis.

Levomycetin is contraindicated for:

• diseases of the hematopoietic system;
• functional disorders of the kidneys, urinary system and liver;
• porphyria, which is in the acute stage;
• fungal pathologies of the skin;
• eczema;
• pronounced foci of psoriasis;
• malignant neoplasms.

Psoriasis
Levomycetin, in most cases, is well tolerated by the body, side effects are recorded extremely rarely. This is a classic skin irritation - redness, rash, itching and burning.

The cost of Levomycetin ointment varies, the lower limit is 16 rubles.

Erythromycin ointment can be used to treat children under 11 years of age. The main active ingredient is the antibiotic erythromycin, which is suitable even for those people who have previously been diagnosed with an allergy to macrolides.

The ointment is effective in the treatment of dermatological diseases of an infectious nature; it is indicated at any age - from infants/newborns to the elderly. It can also be used in the treatment of conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis, but is rarely prescribed - for example, to children.

Of the contraindications, the only known contraindications are individual intolerance to the components of the drug. Side effects are recorded extremely rarely and are manifested by local changes in the skin - redness, itching, mild burning.

The average price of the drug is 95 rubles.

Tetracycline eye ointment: effect of use

Despite the low percentage of absorption of tetracycline when applied topically, using eye ointment during pregnancy or breastfeeding is highly not recommended. This medicine negatively affects the development of bone structures in the fetus or newborn. In this case, the child may develop hypoplasia of tooth enamel.

On a note! The use of this drug in pregnant women is possible only if the benefit from therapy to the mother justifies the risks to the embryo. If treatment is necessary for nursing mothers, the child should be temporarily switched to formula milk.

Tetracycline ointment is contraindicated for children from infancy to 8 years of age. The active substance affects the color of tooth enamel, and if this occurs during the development of bone structures, the changes will be irreversible. The use of the drug in newborns also contributes to the development of fatty hepatosis (accumulation of fat cells in the liver).

Is Tetracycline ointment allowed during pregnancy and lactation?

During pregnancy, Tetracycline ointment is approved for use because it is used externally and the main active ingredient does not enter the general bloodstream. But doctors recommend treatment with the drug in question only in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, when the formation of all organs and systems in the fetus has already been completed.

Lactation is a contraindication to the use of ointment in the treatment of skin and ophthalmological infectious diseases.

If the patient has a history of liver disease, then tetracycline ointment is prescribed with great caution. In this case, the doctor must take into account the following nuances:

• how severe is the underlying pathology;
• whether the disease is in remission;
• whether the patient is taking specific drugs to treat the liver as a permanent, maintenance therapy.

The advisability of using the drug in question in this case is assessed individually.

3 percent Tetracycline ointment during pregnancy is contraindicated during the third trimester.

Pregnant women can take the drug against eye diseases only after appropriate analysis. A woman needs to undergo a bacterial culture, which makes it possible to determine the pathological flora and its sensitivity to antibiotics. The drug is prescribed only if the bacteria are sensitive only to tetracycline. In this case, the duration of pregnancy, the possible risk to the fetus and the duration of use of the medication should be taken into account.

Thus, the medicine is used with great caution, because its active component can cause disruption of bone tissue mineralization and, as a result, abnormal bone development in the fetus. So the use of an eye remedy is rather an emergency measure in which you need to be aware of all possible risks.

Most often during pregnancy, it is prescribed in case of conjunctivitis, which can cause a bacterial infection. For the weakened body of a pregnant woman, this is a real problem, so the use of the drug is considered justified.