Dexamethasone+gentamicin
About Dexamethasone+gentamicin
Dexamethasone+gentamicin is a prescription eye medication used to treat bacterial eye infections that are accompanied by inflammation, redness, and swelling. It helps clear the underlying bacterial infection while soothing eye irritation. This medicine is highly effective in restoring comfort and protecting your vision from further damage.
To get the best results, you must use Dexamethasone+gentamicin consistently and at regular intervals exactly as prescribed by your doctor. While this eye medication is not affected by food, washing your hands thoroughly before application is essential to prevent introducing new bacteria. Keeping your eyes clean and avoiding touching them also supports the healing process.
Some people may experience mild, temporary side effects such as a brief stinging sensation, watery eyes, or temporary blurred vision. However, if you develop severe eye pain, vision changes, or signs of an allergic reaction, you should stop using the drops and contact your doctor immediately.
Do not use this medicine if you have viral, fungal, or tuberculous eye infections, as it can make these conditions worse. Talk to your doctor before starting Dexamethasone+gentamicin if you have glaucoma, cataracts, or a history of high pressure in your eyes, as close monitoring may be required.
Let your doctor know if you are using other eye medications, as spacing them out is necessary to avoid interactions. Pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly individuals should consult their healthcare provider before starting treatment to ensure it is safe for their specific situation.
Uses of Dexamethasone+gentamicin
Medicinal Benefits
Dexamethasone+gentamicin provides several benefits by treating both bacterial infection and inflammation at the same time:
- Reduces pain and discomfort: By calming inflammation, this medicine quickly eases the burning, gritty feeling, and throbbing pain in the eye.
- Clears infection fast: It stops bacterial growth, helping the eye heal and preventing the infection from spreading.
- Improves visual comfort: Relieving redness and swelling helps you return to your daily activities with clearer, more comfortable vision.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Pull your lower eyelid gently with your index finger to form a pocket. Instill the number of drops advised by the doctor into the pocket of the lower eyelid. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Dexamethasone+gentamicin is for ophthalmic use only.
- Avoid touching the container tip to your eye or lids to prevent contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Dexamethasone+gentamicin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Mild stinging or burning in the eyes right after application
- Temporary blurred vision
- Watery eyes or mild eye irritation
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Severe eye pain, burning, or itching
- Changes in your vision, such as seeing halos around lights or blurred vision that does not go away
- Swelling, redness, or severe discharge from the eye
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like skin rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Inspect the Solution Before Use: Always inspect the eye drop bottle before use; do not use it if the solution is discoloured, cloudy, or contains particles.
- Keep the Dropper Tip Sterile: Do not let the tip of the dropper touch your eye, eyelid, fingers, or any surface, as this can contaminate the medicine.
- Remove Contact Lenses Before Use: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in.
- Complete the Full Course: Do not stop using this medicine earlier than your doctor advised, even if your symptoms improve, as the infection could return.
- Avoid Driving Immediately After Application: Do not drive or operate machinery immediately after using the drops, as they may cause temporary blurred vision.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Dexamethasone+gentamicin and affect its safety or effectiveness:
- Other Ophthalmic Medicines: Using other ophthalmic medications or eye drops at the same time may interfere with how this medicine works. Always space different eye drops at least 10 minutes apart.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDo not consume alcohol while using Dexamethasone+gentamicin as it may affect your ability to fight infections.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIf you are pregnant, consult your doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIf you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using this medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing.
Driving
cautionDexamethasone+gentamicin may cause vision problems. So, avoid driving after using this medicine until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+gentamicin can be used to treat eye infections in liver patients. However, use this medicine only if your doctor prescribes it.
Kidney
safe if prescribedDexamethasone+gentamicin can be used for treating eye infections in patients with kidney diseases. However, use this medicine only if your doctor prescribes it.
Children
cautionDexamethasone+gentamicin should be used with caution in children. It is not recommended for use in newborns. Use this medicine in children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid Contact Lenses: Avoid wearing contact lenses while treating an eye infection unless your doctor explicitly tells you it is safe.
- Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: Do not rub your eyes, as this can worsen irritation or spread the infection to your other eye.
- Maintain Good Hand Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your face or applying your eye drops.
- Prevent the Spread of Infection: Use a clean towel or paper tissue to pat your face dry, and do not share towels, pillows, or eye makeup with others to prevent spreading the infection.
- Protect Your Eyes Outdoors: Wear sunglasses when outdoors to protect your eyes from bright light, as they may be more sensitive during treatment.
Special Advise
If you are using other eye drops along with Dexamethasone+gentamicin, maintain an interval of at least 5 minutes before administering other medicines in the same eye to avoid dilution.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial eye infections: Bacterial eye infections are the common eye problems seen in a primary care setting. The common eye problems are conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva), stye (bump on the eyelid), and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). The risk for eye infection is high in post-operative patients or patients who have undergone Lasik, cataract, or other eye surgeries.
Blepharitis: It is the inflammation of the oil glands of the eyes that causes dryness of the eyes. This medical condition causes redness, swelling, and itching of the eyes. Other symptoms may include the feeling of a foreign object in the eyes, sensitivity to light, watery eyes, and red eyes.
Conjunctivitis: It is also known as pink eye, which is inflammation of the conjunctiva (thin clear tissues that is present over the white part of the eyes. This infection usually happens in children and can spread from person to person, like children in schools and daycare.
FAQs
Dexamethasone+gentamicin is used to treat bacterial eye infections.
Dexamethasone+gentamicin contains Gentamicin and Dexamethasone. Gentamicin is an antibiotic that stops the growth of bacteria, causing the infection. Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory medicine that reduces eye discomfort and the risk of eye infections.
Dexamethasone+gentamicin is recommended for use in the eyea only. It is not recommended for treating ear problems.
You are advised not to wear contact lenses as Dexamethasone+gentamicin contains preservatives that can make lenses absorb the medicine. With it, you are suggested to wear the contact lenses back after 15 minutes of using Dexamethasone+gentamicin.
Let your doctor know if you have a history of eye problems (such as glaucoma or cataracts), recent eye surgery, heart, liver, or kidney diseases, frequent eye/ear infections, a perforated eardrum, severe near-sightedness, or diabetes. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to consult your doctor before using Dexamethasone+gentamicin. Inform your doctor of all the medications you are taking to check for potential drug interactions.
The side effects of Dexamethasone+gentamicin include redness, irritation, burning or a stinging sensation, and temporary blurred vision. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
No, Dexamethasone+gentamicin is designed to treat bacterial infections and reduce associated inflammation. It will not work for viral eye infections, and using steroid-containing drops on certain viral infections can be harmful. Talk to your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the unborn baby. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and advise you on the safest option. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
No, you should never share eye drops with anyone else. Sharing eye drops can spread bacteria and infections from one person to another. Each bottle should be used by one person only. Talk to your doctor if someone else has eye irritation.
Most eye drops should be discarded 4 weeks after first opening the bottle to prevent bacterial contamination. Write the date you opened the bottle on the packaging to keep track. Talk to your pharmacist for proper disposal tips.
Prolonged use of steroid-containing eye drops can sometimes increase the pressure inside your eye (intraocular pressure), especially if you have glaucoma. Your doctor may want to monitor your eye pressure if you need to use this medicine for an extended period. Talk to your doctor.
It is normal to experience temporary blurred vision right after applying eye drops. This usually clears up within a few minutes. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision is completely clear. Talk to your doctor if the blurriness lasts.
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