Polytrim

The recommended dose for mild-to-moderate infections for adults and children over 2 months of age is to instill 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye every 3 hours (maximum of 6 doses daily) for a period of 7 to 10 days, or as directed by doctor.

For more severe infections, your doctor may instruct you to use 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every hour until improvement occurs. The dose will then be reduced to 1 or 2 drops every 3 hours. Refer to the package insert and ask your doctor or pharmacist about the proper administration of eye drops.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

The following procedure is recommended when using the eye drops:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Shake the bottle of eye drops to ensure the liquid is evenly distributed.
3. Tilt your head back and gently pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a pouch under the eye.
4. Drop the medicine into this space and then let go of the eyelid and gently close your eyes.
5. Do not blink.
6. Keep your eyes closed and apply gentle pressure to the inner corner of your eye with your finger for 1 or 2 minutes to prevent excessive absorption into the body.
7. Wash your hands to remove any of the drops that may have got on them.
8. Do not touch the dropper or the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye).

Use Polytrim for the total time period recommended by your doctor, even if you start to feel better. This will reduce the chance of the infection returning and being harder to treat.

It is important to use Polytrim exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Polytrim at room temperature (15°C to 25°C) and, protect it from light. Keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: when used, it may cause local irritation; when used, it may cause a temporary burning sensation. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each mL of sterile ophthalmic solution contains trimethoprim (as sulfate) 1 mg and polymyxin b (as sulfate) 10,000 units. Nonmedicinal ingredients: benzalkonium chloride 0.004% (as preservative), sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, and water for injection.

Do not use this mediction if you are allergic to trimethoprim, polymyxin b, or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between trimethoprim - polymyxin b and any of the following:

• other eye drops and eye ointments

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Polytrim. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Polytrim.

Contamination: Avoid contaminating the dropper. Do not touch the dropper to the eye, fingers, or any other surface. This is necessary to maintain the sterility of the drops.

Overgrowth of organisms: Prolonged use of Polytrim may result in an overgrowth of organisms that are not killed by the medication, including fungi. If your eye gets worse or does not improve in the appropriate time, call your doctor.

Pregnancy: When used correctly, very little of Polytrim is absorbed into the body. Trimethoprim - polymyxin b may be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Breast-feeding: Very little of Polytrim is absorbed into the body when it is used correctly. It is not known if trimethoprim - polymyxin b passes into breast milk, however Polytrim may be used while breast-feeding, if the benefit to the mother outweighs the risks to the baby's health.

If you are a breast-feeding mother and are using Polytrim, talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Polytrim for use by children below the age of 2 months have not been established.

This medication is for the eye. To use: Wash your hands as well as the skin surrounding the affected eye. Gently pull down the lower lid of the affected eye. Apply 1 drop of the medication. Unless your condition prevents you from doing so, close the eye for at least 1 minute, while gently pressing on the inner corner of the eye, near the nose. To avoid contaminating the medication, do not let the tip of the applicator touch your fingers or any part of your eye. Close the container tightly after each use. Continue applying the product to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even after improvement is seen or felt. This medication is typically used 4 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Generally, a treatment with this medication lasts several days. Use it for the entire time prescribed in order to achieve the medication's full benefit. If you forget a dose, apply it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed one. Do not apply more to try to catch up.