sulfacetamide ophthalmic

Action and Spectrum

Actions and Spectrum 

Antibacterial activity: The drug has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, meaning it is effective against a wide range of bacteria. It works by interfering with the production of folic acid, an essential component for bacterial growth, thereby inhibiting bacterial replication. 

Commonly targeted organisms: The drug is particularly effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella species.  

Localized action: When applied as eye drops or ointment, The drug exerts its antibacterial action directly on the surface of the eye. It is not generally absorbed into the bloodstream in significant amounts, making it suitable for topical ophthalmic use. 

Combination therapy: In some cases, The drug may be used in combination with other antibiotics or medications to enhance its effectiveness or target specific bacterial strains.  

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined

Stinging

Burning conjunctivitis

Hypersensitivity & allergic reactions (rash, etc)

Myopia

Corneal ulcers

Irritation

Conjunctival hyperemia

Black Box Warning

Black Box Warning:  

None 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindication/Caution:  

Hypersensitivity or Allergy: If a person has a known hypersensitivity or allergy to sulfonamide antibiotics or any other ingredient in the sulfacetamide ophthalmic formulation, its use should be avoided. 

Severe Allergic Reactions: The drug should not be used in individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) to sulfonamide antibiotics or related medications. 

Viral or Fungal Eye Infections: The drug is not effective against viral or fungal eye infections. Using it for these conditions may delay appropriate treatment and potentially worsen the infection. 

Contact Lens Wear: Contact lenses should be removed before using sulfacetamide ophthalmic. The medication may contain preservatives that can be absorbed by soft contact lenses, leading to eye irritation or adverse reactions. Lenses can be reinserted after 15 minutes. 

Pre-existing Eye Conditions: The drug should be used with caution in individuals with pre-existing eye conditions, such as glaucoma.  

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy warnings:     

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excreted into human milk is unknown 

Pregnancy Categories:         

Category A: Studies that were well-controlled and met expectations revealed no risk to the fetus in either the first or second trimester. 

Category B: There were a lack of studies on pregnant women and no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal experiments.   

Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    

Category D: adequate data with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.   

Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    

Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category

Pharmacology

Pharmacology:  

sulfacetamide ophthalmic is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as sulfonamide antibiotics. It is primarily used in ophthalmology for the treatment of bacterial eye infections, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other superficial eye infections. 

Pharmacodynamics:  

sulfacetamide functions by disrupting the synthesis of folic acid, a vital component necessary for bacterial growth and replication. It functions as a competitive inhibitor of dihydropteroate synthetase, an enzyme crucial in folic acid formation. By inhibiting this enzyme, sulfacetamide disrupts bacterial metabolic pathways, which hinders bacterial growth and ultimately results in bacterial eradication.   

Pharmacokinetics: 

Absorption 

 The drug is primarily absorbed through the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. It can also be absorbed systemically to some extent, entering the bloodstream through blood vessels in the conjunctiva.  

Distribution 

The drug is distributed within the eye tissues to exert its antibacterial effects. It remains primarily localized within the eye, with minimal systemic distribution. However, small amounts of the drug can reach the systemic circulation and may be detectable in plasma, although at low concentrations.  

Metabolism 

 The drug undergoes minimal metabolism in the body. It is primarily eliminated unchanged, with only a small portion being metabolized to inactive compounds. The metabolism of sulfacetamide is mainly mediated by acetylation, where it can be acetylated to form an inactive metabolite known as N4-acetylsulfacetamide.  

Excretion and elimination 

sulfacetamide and its metabolites are excreted primarily through the kidneys. They are eliminated from the body mainly in the urine. The elimination half-life of sulfacetamide after topical administration is relatively short, typically ranging from a few hours to a few days. 

Adminstartion

Administration:  

Shake the bottle: If the medication comes in a liquid form, gently shake the bottle to ensure that the contents are well-mixed. 

Tilt your head back: Tilt your head back slightly and look up at the ceiling. 

Pull down the lower eyelid: To create a small pocket, gently use your index finger to pull down the lower eyelid. 

Apply the medication: Hold the bottle above the eye and squeeze the prescribed number of drops into the lower eyelid pocket. Avoid touching the eye or eyelashes with the dropper tip to prevent contamination. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet 

Generic Name: Sulfacetamide ophthalmic 

Why do we use Sulfacetamide ophthalmic?  

Bacterial Conjunctivitis: It helps to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection and relieve symptoms such as redness, itching, and discharge.  

Ocular Rosacea: It helps control the bacterial component of the condition and reduce inflammation. 

Blepharitis: The drug can be prescribed to manage bacterial blepharitis and alleviate symptoms like redness, itching, and crusting of the eyelids.  

Corneal Ulcers: It helps combat bacterial infections associated with corneal ulcers and promotes healing.  

Preoperative Prophylaxis: The drug can be used as a preventive measure before certain eye surgeries, such as cataract surgery. It is applied to the eye to minimize the risk of postoperative bacterial infections.