Before using fusidic acid eye drops

Before using fusidic acid eye drops make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant.
• If you wear soft contact lenses.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.

How to use fusidic acid eye drops

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
• Fusidic acid eye drops are supplied as a gel in a tube. As the gel enters your eye it will become a liquid.
• Use these eye drops twice a day unless you have been told otherwise by your doctor.
• If your eye(s) have an obvious discharge or 'crust', they may be bathed with boiled and cooled water before you use these eye drops.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Remove the outer cap.
3. Tilt your head back and pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.
4. Hold the tube over your eye and look up. Try not to touch your eye with the tip of the tube.
5. Squeeze one drop into the pocket behind the lower eye lid. If you think that you have missed your eye, then insert another drop.
6. Close your eye, and keep it closed for one to two minutes. Press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose.
7. Repeat in your other eye if you have been told to use these eye drops in both eyes.
8. Replace the outer cap on the container. Try not to touch the tip of the tube with any surface, including your eye or fingers.
9. Wash your hands again.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you are using any other eye drops or eye ointments, leave at least five minutes between applying each medication.
• Try not to miss any doses. If you do forget, then apply the missed dose as soon as possible.
• When the eye appears normal again, there may still be some bacteria left. Continue using fusidic acid eye drops for a further 2 days after the eye appears normal to ensure that all the bacteria has been killed.
• Do not use fusidic acid eye drops more often or for a longer period than your doctor has directed.
• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if your eyes become worse, check with your doctor.
• If only one eye is infected, take care to avoid spreading the infection to the other eye. Do not rub your affected eye and use a separate towel.
• Eye infections can cause the eyes to become more sensitive to sunlight. Wearing dark glasses may help prevent this.
• Do not wear soft contact lenses while you are being treated with fusidic acid eye drops.

Can fusidic acid eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this preparation, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How to store fusidic acid eye drops

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• If there is any preparation left in the container after you have finished your course of treatment, do not keep it. These eye drops must not be used if the tube has been opened for longer than four weeks.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Fucithalmic®, Leo Laboratories Limited, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated January 2008, accessed August 2010.
• British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)