Instructions for use of chloramphenicol eye drops. A drug from the “Cheap and cheerful” category

Levomycetin is an antimicrobial drug. It is used in the treatment of bacterial inflammation that appears in the conjunctiva or cornea. The advantage of this drug is its slow addiction.

Good to know

Release forms and active ingredients

Levomycetin eye drops 0.25% are available in sterile 10 ml bottles. Active component Drops include chloramphenicol (25 mg in a 1 ml solution).

Excipients are:

Areas of application of ophthalmic Levomycetin

These drops are prescribed for the treatment of eye infectious diseases:

  • keratoconjunctivitis,

Sometimes it has a positive effect when other means do not help. This is noted by many patients, whose reviews can be found at the end of the article. According to the instructions, the medicine is applicable to children starting from 4 months of age.

Therapeutic effect

Ophthalmic Levomycetin is an antibiotic with broad action. It produces a bacteriostatic effect on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. These include microorganisms that resist the effects of penicillins, tetracyclines and sulfonamides.

As a result of instillation of the drug, it active substance in maximum concentration it collects in the area of ​​the cornea, vitreous body and iris. It does not penetrate the lens.

Who should not use it

Levomycetin eye drops are contraindicated in the following cases:

  • kidney and liver failure,
  • hematopoietic disorders,
  • hypersensitivity to the substances of the drug.

Women during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as children under 2 years of age, are rarely prescribed this drug. Patients in this category should use this medicine with caution. Suffering from psoriasis and eczema can use it only after consulting a doctor.

Possible side effect

Most patients tolerate this easily medicine.A side effect may occur if:

  • the drug should be taken simultaneously with medications that inhibit hematopoietic function (cytostatics, sulfonamides),
  • radiation therapy is performed.

A common side effect is irritation in the eye area. Its symptoms:

  • burning,
  • increased lacrimation.

Long term use eye drops the development of pathology of the circulatory system is possible:

  • thrombopenia,
  • leukopenia,
  • anemia, etc.

Secondary fungal infection. If these symptoms occur, the drug is discontinued.

Children from Levomycetin may experience:

  • diarrhea,
  • vomit,
  • decrease in hemoglobin,
  • nausea.

After administering the drops, vision clarity may decrease. In this situation, it is better to avoid driving vehicles and activities that require special attention.

Practical issues

Instructions for use

The standard regimen prescribes instillation of Levomycetin drop by drop into conjunctival sac eyes every four hours. According to the instructions, treatment course should not be longer than two weeks.

In case of severe inflammation, you can drip every hour. The dosage is determined by the ophthalmologist depending on the characteristics of the disease.

The instillation technology includes the following steps:

  1. Shake the bottle with drops.
  2. Pull your head back slightly and pull your lower eyelid down. It is better to look far up.
  3. Place the bottle above the eye with the open end down, then press lightly.
  4. After completing the procedure with one eye forefinger attach to its inner corner (closer to the nose). Hold it for a few minutes, pressing slightly. This allows the medicine to stay in the eye longer.

Soft contact lenses should be removed before using eye drops. Half an hour after completion of the procedure, the lenses can be returned to their place.

With excessive doses, visual impairment may occur, which is quickly restored. In this case, the eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with large quantities water.

Storage conditions, price and analogues

The shelf life of Levomycetin drops is 2 years. They should be stored in an unlit place, the temperature of which is 8-15°C. Once opened, the bottle cannot be used for longer than a month.

In Russian pharmacies average price Levomycetin eye drops are 19-24 rubles, in Ukraine – 15-19 UAH.

To analogues ophthalmic Levomycetin relate:

Reviews about the effectiveness of Levomycetin

Anna, 39 years old . I had conjunctivitis. The ophthalmologist prescribed me several medications at once - Tobrex, Ophthalmoferon, Tetracycline ointment. Total amount for 1000 rub. I don't earn that kind of money. The pharmacy pharmacist recommended Levomycetin drops for 15 rubles. After three days of digging everything went away. The drops are effective and cheap.

Ivan, 27 years old . I constantly suffer from conjunctivitis. Previously I used Albucid. It burns your eyes and leaves white streaks on your face. Besides, no results. Friends recommended Levomycetin drops. Of course, you need to consult a doctor. But there is no time. The drops turned out to be very effective. They help great.

Vera, 41 years old . For many years I have been fighting conjunctivitis with the help of Levomycetin. First, I wash my eyes with furatsilin, and then I drop these drops. Within three days the eyes were normal.

Nina, 31 years old . I use Tobrex when my vision gets a little worse. It works very slowly. But with swollen eyes I can only save myself with Levomycetin. By evening, the pus decreases, leaving only redness. The next morning it passes too. Afterwards I finish the treatment with Tobex, it is a little softer. But Levomycetin quickly cleanses the eyes.

Tatyana, 42 years old . We always have them in our home medicine cabinet. eye drops Levomycetin. My husband is an electric and gas welder, and he often has problems with his eyes. These drops always save. We treat not only ourselves. Our animals also get good help with eye diseases. The drops are very cheap and so effective.

Galina, 23 years old . Levomycetin drops are universal. When my eye turned red and started to hurt (I don’t know why), they quickly helped. It stung a little, but it went away. My sister had barley, so she treated it with Levomycetin. We even gave it to our hamsters. They got into a fight and hurt their eyes. The drops helped them quickly.

From the reviews it is clear that Levomycetin drops with good result used by people when eye infections. Many care about regular replenishment home first aid kit with this drug.

Ophthalmologist of the highest category.

Specializes in the provision of emergency ophthalmological care at the Center for Eye Microsurgery of the KU KhKB. Disassembles on the portal eye diseases their symptoms and treatments. Also author of a column about eye clinics.


With a wide range of activity. The medication has antimicrobial and bacteriostatic effects, as it is capable of inhibiting protein synthesis in microorganisms. The product is effective against strains of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, certain strains resistant to sulfonamides, penicillin, streptomycin. At the same time, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, protozoa, acid-fast microorganisms, and clostridia are insensitive to the action of the drug "Levomycetin". Drops after use quickly reach therapeutic concentrations in the iris, vitreous body, and cornea. They do not penetrate the crystal.

Indications for use

In ophthalmological practice, the drug "Levomycetin" (drops) is prescribed for the treatment of keratitis, conjunctivitis, and other infectious pathologies, excited by organisms susceptible to the action of the drug. The drug is also used in the treatment of infectious eye diseases when other drugs are ineffective.

Release form and composition

Eye drops are produced in bottles (volume 10 ml), enclosed in cardboard packaging. One milliliter of medicine contains 2.5 mg of chloramphenicol (chloramphenicol).

Method of use

You should pipette the drops of Levomycetin from the bottle and drop them into your eyes. The dosage recommended by experts is 1 drop of the product in each eye three times a day. The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the doctor; it will be individual for each patient. In general, the instructions advise using the medication “Levomycetin” (drops) for no more than two weeks.

Side effects

In most cases, the drug is well tolerated by patients. In rare situations (especially in people who are hypersensitive to the components of the drops), itching may develop, skin rash, increased lacrimation, eye irritation.

Contraindications

The medication is not prescribed for people suffering from eczema, fungal skin infections, psoriasis. Also, the drug is prohibited for use during pregnancy, lactation, and for the treatment of children under four months of age. Sometimes pediatricians still use the drug "Levomycetin" (eye drops) for newborns, but only when the baby has acute infection, not amenable to treatment with other medications. Such infections include typhus, diphtheria, pneumonia, salmonellosis, brucellosis, etc. The dosage in this case should be the minimum, it is determined exclusively by the doctor. Exceeding the dose can lead to inhibition of the child’s body’s production of its own protein, which can lead to negative consequences. With great caution, the medicine is prescribed to people whose work involves driving a car or operating machinery that poses a potential danger.

Overdose

When using the medication in excessive doses, patients are at risk of developing reversible visual impairment. In case of overdose, eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with a large amount of running water.

Levomycetin is an effective and inexpensive eye drop based on chloramphenicol. Ophthalmologists recommend using Levomycetin eye drops in most cases infectious lesions cornea and deeper structures of the eye.

The basis of these budget drops (the price for a 10 ml bottle costs between 19-27 rubles) is the compound chloramphenicol. There are 2.5 mg of it in 1 ml of eye drops. Boric acid is also present here in small quantities. Chloramphenicol is antimicrobial drug broad spectrum (antibiotic). In addition to these two components, the composition also includes purified water and some other excipients.

The drops are sold in convenient plastic containers - 10 ml dropper bottles.

Mechanism of action of Levomycetin

Levomycetin is indicated in many cases of infection of the eye and its components. It is effective against infection with gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Including in many of those cases where bacteria are insensitive to penicillins, streptomycins and sulfonamides.

The action of chloramphenicol is due to its inhibitory effect on the production of protein in the DNA of microorganisms. As a result, they stabilize. Important points in the use of Levomycetin there will be what it has low level resistance (adaptability) of microorganisms, which allows its use long time With high efficiency results.

Chloramphinecol penetrates into the iris, sclera, chambers of the eye and vitreous, but does not penetrate the lens. In addition, it is absorbed into the systemic circulation.

Maximum effectiveness occurs after 30 minutes. after the instillation procedure. The highest concentration is recorded in the anterior chamber of the eye.

Indications for the use of Levomycetin eye drops

Levomycin drops are used for infectious eye diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to this drug. So, Figures 1–3 show the main types of eye diseases for which this medicine should be used. Among these will be:

  • conjunctivitis (inflammation of the inner layer of the eyelids - conjunctiva) of infectious origin;
  • keratitis();
  • eyelid or stye);
  • keratoconjunctivitis.

Eye keratitis

Ophthalmologists also prescribe Levomycetin in cases where other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ophthalmic agents ineffective. He shoots quickly purulent inflammation, clears the eyes. This drug is used to treat eye infections in children.

Blepharitis eyes

When can Levomycetin cause harm?

However, Levomycytin eye drops are an NSAID-based medicine. And they, like other medications, have a number of contraindications for use and may have side effects.

So, among side symptoms will be:

  • burning sensation in the eyes;
  • redness of the cornea and eyelids;
  • hypertearfulness.

In addition, children may experience:

  • nausea and vomiting;
  • diarrhea;
  • drop in hemoglobin level in the blood.

Conjunctivitis of the eye

With long courses of treatment, hematopoietic disorders are very rarely observed: leukopenia, anemia or thrombopenia.

Careful use of Levomycytin eye drops

Due to possible side effects, in some cases levomycin eye drops should be used after consultation with an ophthalmologist and in strict accordance with the instructions. They are used with caution in the following cases:

  • for children over 2 years old. Here, treatment with Levomycetin should take place after consultation with an ophthalmologist, pediatrician and with strict adherence to the instructions. In some cases, a pediatric ophthalmologist can prescribe the drug to a child from 4 months old, but here the expected useful action must exceed possible side effects;
  • Chloramphinecol penetrates into the systemic bloodstream, so it should be used with caution by nursing mothers; it is better to stop feeding. Consultation and observation by a doctor is required;
  • at radiation therapy or a history of treatment with cytostatics, treatment with Levomycytin should be carried out very carefully. Possible development of bone marrow hypoplasia;
  • if the work involves straining attention or vision. If necessary, work with complex mechanisms or driving. Due to decreased visual acuity.

Contraindications to the use of Levomycytin eye drops

Among the contraindications for use, first of all it should be noted allergic reactions on the components of the drug.

Levomycetin eye drops are also not used in the following cases:

  • in case of acute hepatic or renal failure or their chronic forms;
  • if there is a history of porphyria;
  • for diseases of eczema and fungal skin diseases, as well as psoriasis;
  • during pregnancy;
  • children under 4 months of age;
  • in case of hematopoietic disorders. Anemia and leukopenia may increase here.

Interaction of Levomycytin eye drops with other antibiotics

Levomycetin has the ability to reduce the effectiveness of other antibiotics. At the same time, the beneficial effect of the drug itself is also reduced. Using these eye drops at the same time as one of the following NSAIDs:

  • erythromycins;
  • lincomycin;
  • phenobarbitals;
  • phenytoin;
  • penicillin preparations;
  • cephalosporins

the effect of Levomycetin, as well as other drugs, will decrease.

Interaction of Levomycitin with other drugs

When used simultaneously with radiation therapy or drugs that inhibit hematopoiesis, an increase in side effects. As a rule, Levomycetin drops are not used for hematopoietic disorders, radiation therapy and treatment with hemostatic agents.


How and when is it better to take Levomycetin eye drops?

Usually this drug is prescribed 1 bag every 4 hours. In the most difficult cases, the instructions provide for reducing the interval to 1 hour.

If there are lenses, they should be removed before instillation and put on no earlier than 0.5 hours after the procedure.

The bottle is individually packaged and should only be used for one patient.

When instilling it is very important to adhere to simple rules hygiene:

  • wash your hands before the procedure;
  • do not touch the tip of the dropper to the eye or other surfaces;
  • carry out the procedure in a clean room;
  • keep the bottle tightly closed.

The dose must be discussed with the ophthalmologist and before starting to use the drug, study the instructions.

An overdose is manifested by decreased vision. In these cases, the medicine should be washed out of the eye big amount clean water.

There have been no documented cases of chloramphenicol poisoning during treatment of eye diseases.

Children should not use the drops without consulting a doctor. In addition, before using the medicine, be sure to carefully read the instructions.

Analogs of Levomycetin eye drops

Among the analogues of this drug are a number of eye drops: Floxar, Normax, Tsipromed, Sulfacyl sodium and Albucid, as well as Tobrex. All of them contain broad-spectrum antibiotics. If we compare them with Levomycetin eye drops, they will have:

  • narrower spectrum of action;
  • more high degree resistance (microbes get used to them faster, and this reduces their effectiveness);
  • and also have a significantly higher price compared to Levomycetin.

Levomycetin eye drops are indicated for use in both adults and children from 4 months; they have extensive antimicrobial effect and a relatively low price. This makes them indispensable in every home medicine cabinet.

"Levomycetin" - often used in medical purposes a drug. Various kinds microbes and bacteria very slowly develop resistance to it. This drug is often replaced by other drugs that do not provide the necessary benefits. therapeutic effect. The medicine "Levomycetin" is used in complex treatment infectious diseases, for example, for the treatment of respiratory diseases, meningitis, trachoma and many others.

Use of the drug "Levomycetin"

The drug "Levomycetin" in eye drops has a bacteriostatic effect. It inhibits protein synthesis of microorganisms. Gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms are sensitive to its effects, as well as some strains resistant to penicillin, streptomycin and sulfonamides. The effect of the drug has low sensitivity acid-fast organisms, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and clostridia. The use causes a high therapeutic concentration in the cornea, but the drug “Levomycetin” does not penetrate directly into the crystal. Eye drops, which always come with instructions, have proven themselves well. According to the recommendations, the drug should be instilled every four hours, one drop, and if the condition improves, one drop should be instilled every six hours.

Dosage

This drug should be instilled three times a day. It is necessary to dose the drug based on the diagnosis, but often one drop is prescribed. The drug "Levomycetin" for the eyes is an antibiotic, so it can only be used as prescribed by a doctor. It is also applicable for children. It is prescribed in the form intramuscular injections, eye drops or tablets. The dosage for children is as follows: from three to eight years old - one drop once a day, from eight to sixteen years old - one drop twice a day. If necessary, the doctor may change the dosage. Maximum term Application of the drug is two weeks. After this period, it is strictly recommended to stop taking the drug to avoid vision deterioration.

The effect of the drug "Levomycetin" on internal organs

How does it affect internal organs Levomycetin (eye drops)? The instructions state that any impairment of the kidneys slows down the half-life of the drug from the body; depending on the degree of the disease, this period takes from three to eleven hours. Most often, the course of treatment takes a week. In exceptional cases, it can be extended to two weeks, but only if the drug is well tolerated.

Side effects

The drug "Levomycetin", like any other, has its side effects. However, judging by the results of pharmacological studies and consumer reviews, their number is very small. In patients who have individual hypersensitivity to this drug, which is extremely rare, a skin rash develops and constant itching appears. The eyes are also irritated, leading to redness and increased tear production. In this case, the appointment is cancelled.

Contraindications

There are also a number of contraindications to taking Levomycetin (eye drops). The instructions warn about them. The drug should not be used if the person taking the drug has an individual increased sensitivity to certain of its components or, in principle, to all drugs belonging to the group of chloramphenicol. If the patient suffers from eczema, psoriasis or fungal infections, then taking the drug is strictly prohibited, because this can lead to complications of existing skin diseases. Doctors prohibit taking the drug "Levomycetin" to children who have not reached the age of four, as well as to pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you are going to drive after taking the medicine "Levomycetin" (eye drops), the instructions for use warn about the possibility of weakening attention and control, so you should refrain from driving vehicle or any other mechanisms. It is also not compatible with drugs that inhibit hematopoiesis and is contraindicated during radiation therapy.

Taking the drug during pregnancy

According to studies, the drug "Levomycetin" is completely prohibited for use during pregnancy. If a doctor prescribes it to a young mother, breastfeeding must be interrupted. If you continue to feed your child in this way, while taking the drug in question, you can significantly harm his health.

Overdose and storage conditions of the drug

Cases of overdose are uncommon, but they do happen. It can be identified by severe visual impairment, which, fortunately, is reversible. If you have “poured” too much of the drug, you just need to rinse your eyes with enough regular running water, which will help wash away the excess substance. The shelf life of the drug is two years, stored at temperatures up to fifteen degrees Celsius in a dark place. Eye drops "Levomycetin" receive mostly positive reviews. Among its main advantages are quick effect, low price, prevalence, accessibility, compactness, and among its disadvantages are side effects and contraindications.

Levomycytin eye drops are a medicine local application With wide range impact. This drug effective against most gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, large viruses, as well as rickettsia and spirochetes. Let's find out the composition of the drops, how they should be used, at what age they are prescribed to children and which ones they will relieve.

Composition of drops "Levomycetin"

Levomycytin are available in sterile bottles of 5 and 10 ml. Percentage active substance to the total volume of the drug is 0.25%. This means that 1 ml of the finished solution contains 25 mg of chloramphenicol. The excipients are purified water and boric acid. belong to antibiotics with a bacteriostatic effect. They are effective in combating microorganisms resistant to penicillin, tetracycline antibiotics and sulfonamides. Although the drug is characterized as a topical agent, the drops can partially penetrate the blood supply, which does not cause harm to the body.

How to use the drug and what diseases it treats

Levomycytin eye drops are prescribed for the treatment of:

  • conjunctivitis;
  • keratitis;
  • blepharitis;
  • keratoconjunctivitis.

These diseases are inflammatory processes bacterial origin, which are localized in the cornea or conjunctiva. The mechanism of fighting bacteria is to disrupt the synthesis of proteins of microorganisms. The product is instilled into each eye, 1-2 drops at the beginning of the disease, up to 5 times a day, and when improvement is noticeable, 3 times is enough. The duration of use is determined by the attending physician, and it is not recommended to use Levomycetin drops for longer than 14 days. The instructions for children do not focus on the age at which the drug can be used, however, ophthalmologists already fearlessly prescribe it to children older than one year.

Contraindications and side effects

Levomycytin eye drops are contraindicated for use in people:

  • with hematopoietic disorders;
  • with liver and kidney failure;
  • with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.

Not recommended for use this remedy pregnant and lactating women. Only a doctor can prescribe these drops after assessing possible risk for the child and benefit for the mother. Doctor's supervision is required when using the drug in children from birth to 2 years of age, as well as in patients with skin diseases(eczema or psoriasis).

In most cases, the use of the product does not cause side effects, and in in rare cases Possible redness, burning and itching in the eyes. When used for more than 3 weeks, disturbances may occur. circulatory system(leukopenia, thrombopenia, aplastic anemia) and re-development of the fungus. In this case, you need to discontinue the drug and prescribe another treatment, depending on the symptoms. People wearing contact lenses, you need to remove them before instillation and put them on after 40 minutes. This medicine is very cheap; for Levomycetin drops the price varies from 10 to 30 rubles per 10 ml bottle.