Sulfacetamide

Registered South African indications:

• Infection of the eye and eye socket

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides
• Penetrating wounds of the cornea
• Coadministration with agents containing silver salts

Cautions

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Infection of the eye and eye socket
Stye
Trachoma

• Topical (oin): Apply small quantity into the inner corner of the affected eye, 3 times daily

For external use only. Doctor consultation required if no improvement has occurred within a few days

Paed. forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: oin

Infection of the eye and eye socket
Stye
Trachoma

Younger than 2 months

• Not established for use

Older than 2 months

• See adult dosage

Pregnancy

• Caution
• No animal studies have been performed. There are limited/no data on the extent of systemic absorption following ophthalmic use. Sulfonamides have been associated with kernicterus in infants born to mothers who used systemic sulfonamides during their pregnancy

Breastfeeding

• Caution; not recommended
• There are limited/no data on the extent of systemic absorption following ophthalmic use. Sulfonamides have been associated with kernicterus in breastfeeding infants whose mothers are administered with systemic sulfonamides. Breastfeeding is not recommended when administering sulfacetamide to the mother. When considering the use of sulfacetamide in breastfeeding mothers, any benefits of treatment of the mother should outweigh the potential risks to the mother and infant  

Renal Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• No dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Not yet classified (NC)

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Oedema

Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders

• Rash

Immune, Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Systemic lupus erythematosus

Sensory Disorders

• Burning eyes
• Stinging eyes
• Conjunctival hyperaemia
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal ulceration
• Eye irritation

Silver preparations

None routine

Sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide antibiotic. The sulfonamides are synthetic bacteriostatic antibiotics. They work by competitively inhibiting bacterial para-aminobenzoic acid, an essential component for bacterial growth.

Eye ointment (per 3.5g) 350mg

• Lennon-Sulphacetamide (Pharmacare)