Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone (sulfacetamide sodium/prednisolone sodium phosphate)

Dosage of sulfacetamide sodium is expressed in terms of the salt.

Dosage of fixed-combination preparations containing sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone acetate or prednisolone sodium phosphate are expressed in terms of the salts.

Potency of some sodium phosphate preparations is expressed in terms of prednisolone phosphate.

For use in the eye, 1 or 2 drops of prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension or prednisolone sodium phosphate ophthalmic solution may be instilled into the conjunctival sac every hour during the day and every 2 hours during the night for initial therapy in severe cases. In mild or moderate inflammation or when a favorable response is attained in severe cases, dosage may be reduced to 1 or 2 drops every 3-12 hours.

Alternatively, prednisolone sodium phosphate ophthalmic ointment may be instilled into the conjunctival sac 3 or 4 times daily initially, and once or twice daily thereafter. The ointment also may be used at night in conjunction with daytime use of a suspension or solution to reduce the frequent applications required with the liquid dosage forms.

The lowest effective concentration should be used and, if improvement does not occur within several days, the drug should be discontinued and other therapy begun. The duration of treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease and may range from a few days to several weeks; long-term therapy should be avoided. When the drug is discontinued, dosage should be gradually tapered to avoid exacerbation of the disease.

Prednisolone acetate or sodium phosphate is applied topically to the eye. Care should be taken to avoid contamination of the tip of the ointment tube or dropper when the drug is used ophthalmically.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Sulfacetamide sodium is incompatible with preparations containing silver. (See Chemistry and Stability: Stability)

Because the antibacterial activity of sulfonamides involves competitive inhibition of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), antagonism may occur between sulfonamides and local anesthetics that are PABA derivatives.

Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Ophthalmic Sodium Sulfacetamide/Ophthalmic Silver

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Ophthalmic sodium sulfacetamide and ophthalmic silver are physically incompatible.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent application of ophthalmic sodium sulfacetamide and ophthalmic silver preparations may result in decreased clinical effectiveness of the products.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Avoid using ophthalmic silver preparations in the same eye as ophthalmic sodium sulfacetamide products.(1)

DISCUSSION: Ophthalmic sodium sulfacetamide and ophthalmic silver are physically incompatible.(1)

There are no severe interactions for this drug.

There are no moderate interactions for this drug.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

• Fungal infection of eye
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6Pd) deficiency
• Hemoglobin H disease
• Hemolytic anemia from pyruvate kinase and g6PD deficiencies
• Herpes simplex dendritic keratitis
• Tuberculosis of the eye
• Vaccinia virus keratitis

• Amebic infection of the eye
• Ocular hypertension
• Porphyria

• Corneal erosion
• Diabetes mellitus
• Krukenberg spindle
• Open angle glaucoma
• Severe myopia

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More Frequent

• Erythema
• Pruritus of skin
• Skin inflammation
• Skin irritation
• Skin rash

Less Frequent

• Ocular hypertension

Rare or Very Rare

• Adrenocortical insufficiency
• Cataracts
• Central serous chorioretinopathy
• Corneal degeneration
• Corneal edema
• Corneal erosion
• Corneal ulcer
• Fungal infection of eye
• Glaucoma
• Globe perforation
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (g6Pd) deficiency anemia
• Hypercortisolism
• Hypersensitivity drug reaction
• Keratitis
• Optic nerve damage
• Punctate keratitis
• Reduced visual acuity
• Uveitis
• Visual changes
• Visual field defect

More Frequent

• Blurred vision

Less Frequent

• Headache disorder
• Iritis
• Ocular pain

Rare or Very Rare

• Accommodation disorder
• Allergic dermatitis
• Blepharoptosis
• Calcification of cornea
• Chemosis
• Conjunctival hyperemia
• Conjunctivitis
• Dizziness
• Dysgeusia
• Eye tearing
• Eyelid edema
• Foreign body sensation of eye
• Impaired wound healing
• Mydriasis
• Ocular infection
• Ocular irritation
• Ocular itching
• Ocular redness
• Photophobia
• Urticaria

No enhanced messaging available.

No enhanced messaging available.

Animal reproduction studies have not been performed using sulfacetamide ophthalmic preparations.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies using sulfonamide ophthalmic preparations in pregnant women, and it is not known whether topically applied sulfonamides can cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women. Use of oral sulfonamides in pregnant women at term may result in kernicterus in neonates.

Sulfacetamide sodium ophthalmic preparations, including fixed-combination preparations containing sulfacetamide sodium and a corticosteroid, should be used during pregnancy only if potential benefits justify potential risks to the fetus.

Systemically administered sulfonamides are capable of producing kernicterus in breast-fed infants.

Because of the potential for development of kernicterus in neonates, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug taking into account the importance of the drug to the woman.

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