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Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment Prescribing Information

Package insert / product label
Generic name: gentamicin sulfate
Dosage form: ophthalmic ointment
Drug class: Ophthalmic anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 23, 2024.

Ophthalmic Ointment USP, 0.3%

STERILE

Rx Only

Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment Description

Gentamicin sulfate is a water soluble antibiotic of the aminoglycoside group.

Gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment is a sterile ointment for ophthalmic use. Each gram contains gentamicin sulfate equivalent to 3 mg gentamicin in a base of white petrolatum and mineral oil, with methylparaben and propylparaben as preservatives.

Gentamicin is obtained from cultures of Micromonospora purpurea. It is a mixture of the sulfate salts of gentamicin C1, C2, and C1A. All three components appear to have similar antimicrobial activities. Gentamicin sulfate occurs as a white to buff powder and is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. The structural formula is as follows:

Structural Formula

Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment - Clinical Pharmacology

Microbiology: Gentamicin sulfate is active in vitro against many strains of the following microorganisms:

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Indications and Usage for Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment

Gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharonconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis, caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms:

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Contraindications

Gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the components.

Warnings

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE.

Gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment is not for injection. It should never be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be directly introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Precautions

General: Prolonged use of topical antibiotics may give rise to overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including fungi. Bacterial resistance to gentamicin may also develop. If purulent discharge, inflammation or pain becomes aggravated, the patient should discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician.

If irritation or hypersensitivity to any component of the drug develops, the patient should discontinue use of this preparation and appropriate therapy should be instituted.

Ophthalmic ointments may retard corneal healing.

Information for patients: To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to the eye, eyelid or any surface.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: There are no published carcinogenicity or impairment of fertility studies on gentamicin.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics have been found to be non-mutagenic.

Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Gentamicin has been shown to depress body weights, kidney weights and median glomerular counts in newborn rats when administered systemically to pregnant rats in daily doses approximately 500 times the maximum recommended ophthalmic human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Gentamicin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness in neonates have not been established.

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have developed during treatment with gentamicin ophthalmic preparations.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are ocular burning and irritation upon drug instillation, non-specific conjunctivitis, conjunctival epithelial defects and conjunctival hyperemia.

Other adverse reactions which have occurred rarely are allergic reactions, thrombocytopenic purpura and hallucinations.

Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment Dosage and Administration

Apply a small amount (approximately 1/2 inch ribbon) of ointment to the affected eye(s) two or three times a day.

How is Gentamicin Ophthalmic Ointment supplied

Gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic ointment USP, 0.3% is supplied in 3.5 g tube, box of one.

(NDC 13985-603-03)

Storage and Handling

Store at 2° to 30°C (36° to 86°F).

apexa™
Manufactured by: Akorn Inc.
Lake Forest, IL 60045

Distributed by: MWI
Boise, ID 83705

MWGK00N Rev. 07/14

Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label:

NDC 13985-603-03

Gentamicin Sulfate STERILE

Ophthalmic Ointment USP, 0.3% Rx Only

(equivalent to 3 mg gentamicin per gram)

Apexa logo

AP 704005 Net Weight: 3.5g (1/8 oz)

Principal Display Panel Text for Container Label

Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label:

NDC 13985-603-03

Gentamicin

Sulfate

Ophthalmic

Ointment

USP, 0.3%

(equivalent to

3 mg gentamicin

per gram)

STERILE

Rx Only

Apexa logo

AP 704005

Net Weight: 3.5g (1/8 oz)

Principal Display Panel Text for Carton Label
GENTAMICIN SULFATE
gentamicin sulfate ointment
Product Information
Product TypeHUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGItem Code (Source)NDC:13985-603
Route of AdministrationOPHTHALMIC
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
Gentamicin Sulfate (UNII: 8X7386QRLV) (Gentamicin - UNII:T6Z9V48IKG) Gentamicin3 mg in 1 g
Inactive Ingredients
Ingredient NameStrength
Methylparaben (UNII: A2I8C7HI9T) 0.5 mg in 1 g
Propylparaben (UNII: Z8IX2SC1OH) 0.1 mg in 1 g
Petrolatum (UNII: 4T6H12BN9U)
Mineral Oil (UNII: T5L8T28FGP)
Packaging
#Item CodePackage DescriptionMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
1NDC:13985-603-031 in 1 CARTON03/23/2015
13.5 g in 1 TUBE; Type 0: Not a Combination Product
Marketing Information
Marketing CategoryApplication Number or Monograph CitationMarketing Start DateMarketing End Date
ANDAANDA06416303/23/2015
Labeler - MWI (019926120)
Registrant - Akorn Operating Company LLC (117693100)
Establishment
NameAddressID/FEIBusiness Operations
Akorn117696840MANUFACTURE(13985-603) , ANALYSIS(13985-603) , STERILIZE(13985-603) , PACK(13985-603) , LABEL(13985-603)