Natamycin ophthalmic

Generic name: natamycin ophthalmic [ NA-ta-MYE-sin-off-THAL-mik ]
Brand name: Natacyn
Dosage form: ophthalmic suspension (5%)
Drug class: Ophthalmic anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 24, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is natamycin ophthalmic?

Natamycin is an antifungal medication.

Natamycin ophthalmic (for the eyes) is used to treat fungal infections of the eyes.

Natamycin ophthalmic may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Natamycin ophthalmic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Natamycin ophthalmic may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• vision changes;

• eye redness, swelling, or other irritation;

• eye pain or numbness; or

• chest pain, trouble breathing.

Common side effects of natamycin ophthalmic may include:

• tearing, watery eyes; or

• feeling like something is in your eye.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Related/similar drugs

ceftriaxone, Rocephin, Acthar, corticotropin, Bleph-10

Before taking this medicine

You should not use natamycin ophthalmic if you are allergic to it.

It is not known whether natamycin ophthalmic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether natamycin ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use natamycin ophthalmic?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use natamycin ophthalmic in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

Shake this medicine well just before each use.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.

• Close your eyes for 2 or 3 minutes with your head tipped down, without blinking or squinting. Gently press your finger to the inside corner of the eye for about 1 minute, to keep the liquid from draining into your tear duct.

• Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, or skin rash.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using natamycin ophthalmic?

Do not use this medication while wearing contact lenses. Natamycin ophthalmic may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using natamycin ophthalmic before putting in your contact lenses.

This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be able to see clearly.

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

What other drugs will affect natamycin ophthalmic?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on natamycin used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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