Description
Same active ingredient (azithromycin eye drops) as AzaSite®, the US brand. Azithral Eye Ointment is an Indian brand, made and licensed in India.
About Azithral Eye Ointment
Azithral Eye Ointment is a prescription sterile eye ointment containing azithromycin, made by Alembic Pharmaceuticals, used to treat bacterial infections of the front of the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. Each tube contains 5 g. An ointment stays in contact with the eye longer than drops, which suits bedtime use and people who find drops awkward.
How does it work?
Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that stops susceptible bacteria from making proteins, so they cannot multiply. Applied to the eye, it reaches high levels in the tear film and in the tissues of the conjunctiva and eyelids, where it persists. The azithromycin eye products licensed in the UK and US are drops used for only a few days (for example twice daily for three days), whereas this ointment is an Indian formulation. Use it exactly as often and for as long as your prescription or the leaflet states.
How to apply eye ointment
- Wash your hands and, if needed, gently clean crusts from the lashes with cooled boiled water and a clean pad.
- Tilt your head back and pull the lower eyelid down to form a small pocket.
- Squeeze a thin line of ointment, about 1 cm unless told otherwise, into the pocket without letting the nozzle touch the eye, lashes or skin.
- Close the eye gently and move it around for a minute to spread the ointment, then wipe away any excess.
- Replace the cap straight away and wash your hands again.
Vision is blurred for a few minutes afterwards, so do not drive or operate machinery until it clears. If you also use eye drops, put the drops in first and wait at least five minutes before the ointment.
Tips during treatment
- Leave contact lenses out until the infection has cleared and the course has finished.
- Use your own towel and pillowcase, avoid rubbing your eyes and wash your hands often, as conjunctivitis spreads easily.
- Skip eye make-up until the eye has recovered, and replace any used while infected.
When to see a doctor urgently
Bacterial conjunctivitis typically causes a gritty, sticky red eye without much pain. Get prompt medical attention for real eye pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision that does not clear with blinking, a red eye after an injury or chemical splash, a contact lens wearer with a painful red eye, or a newborn baby with a sticky or swollen eye. These can signal more serious conditions such as keratitis, iritis or glaucoma. See a doctor as well if there is no improvement after two to three days.
What are the side effects?
Short-lived stinging, burning or itching on application and temporary blurring are the most common. Stop and seek advice for swollen, itchy eyelids, a rash around the eye or worsening redness, which may indicate an allergy.
Who should not use it?
Do not use it if you are allergic to azithromycin or other macrolides. Very little reaches the bloodstream, but tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should not be used for viral or allergic conjunctivitis, which antibiotics do not help.
Pack sizes and storage
One 5 g tube per unit, sold as 1, 3, 6 or 12 tubes, from $10. Keep the cap tightly closed in a cool place, and discard the tube four weeks after first opening, or sooner if the leaflet says so. Never share eye medicines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use an azithromycin skin gel in my eye instead?
No. Azifast Gel is made for skin, not eyes. Use only products designed for the eye.
Does it treat chlamydial eye infection or trachoma?
These need antibiotics by mouth, such as a single 1 g dose of azithromycin for adults, for example Azee 1000 mg, under medical supervision.
Where can I find other products?
See the More Product category.
General information only, not a diagnosis. Azithral Eye Ointment is a prescription medicine; see a doctor or optometrist if your eye is painful or your vision changes.