Brochlor 0.5% W/W Eye Drops
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
Brochlor 0.5% w/v Eye Drops Brolene Antibiotic 0.5% w/v Eye Drops
2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION
Chloramphenicol 0.5% w/v For excipients see 6.1
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM
Eye drops.
4 CLINICAL PARTICULARS
4.1 Therapeutic indications
Chloramphenicol is indicated in adults and children for the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
For ocular use.
The recommended dosage for adults (including the elderly) and children is one drop to be applied to the affected eye every two hours for the first 48 hours and 4 hourly thereafter. To be used during waking hours only.
Treatment should continue for 5 days, even if symptoms improve.
Paediatric population
Dosage adjustment may be necessary in newborn infants because of reduced systemic elimination due to immature metabolism and the risk of dose-related adverse effects. The maximum duration of treatment is 10-14 days.
4.3. Contraindications
Chloramphenicol eye drops should not be administered to patients hypersensitive to chloramphenicol or any other ingredients in the formulation, or given to those with a known personal or family history of blood dyscrasias including aplastic anaemia.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Prolonged use of chloramphenicol eye drops should be avoided as it may increase the likelihood of sensitisation and emergence of resistant organisms.
Do not use for more than 5 days without consulting a doctor.
Medical advice should be sought if there is no improvement in the condition after 2 days or if symptoms worsen at any time.
Patients should be referred to their doctor if any of the following apply:
• Disturbed vision
• Severe pain within the eye
• Photophobia
• Eye inflammation associated with a rash on the scalp or face
• The eye looks cloudy
• The pupil looks unusual
• Suspected foreign body in the eye
Patients should also be referred to their doctor if any of the following in his/her medical history apply:
• Previous conjunctivitis in the recent past
• Glaucoma
• Dry eye syndrome
• Eye surgery or laser treatment in the last 6 months
• Eye injury
• Current use of other eye drops or eye ointment
• Contact lens use
If this product is used following advice from a contact lens practitioner or doctor, contact lenses should not be worn during the course of treatment. Soft contact lenses should not be replaced for 24 hours after completing treatment.
The labels will state:
• If symptoms do not improve within 48 hours talk to your doctor.
• Seek further immediate medical advice at any time if symptoms worsen.
• Discard any remaining eye drops after the five day course of treatment.
Do not use if you are allergic to chloramphenicol or any of the other ingredients.
4.5. Interactions with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The concomitant administration of chloramphenicol with other drugs liable to depress bone marrow function should be avoided.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
The safety of Chloramphenicol Eye Drops during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Chloramphenicol may be absorbed systemically following the use of eye drops and may cross the placenta and appear in breast milk. Therefore this product is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Chloramphenicol eye drops may cause transient blurring of vision when applied to the eye. Patients should be warned not to drive or operate hazardous machinery unless their vision is clear.
4.8 Undesirable effects
Chloramphenicol eye drops may cause transient stinging and irritation when applied to the eye.
Bone marrow depression, including irreversible and fatal aplastic anaemia has been reported following topical use of chloramphenicol. Whilst the hazard is a rare one, it should be borne in mind when assessing the benefits expected from the use of this compound.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
4.9. Overdose
Not applicable.
PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
5
5.1. Pharmacodynamic properties
Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic with bacteriostatic activity and is effective against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms.
5.2. Pharmacokinetic properties
Not applicable to topical (ophthalmic) preparation.
5.3. Preclinical safety data
Preclinical safety data does not add anything of further significance.
6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS
6.1 List of excipients
Borax
Boric acid
Water for injections
6.2. Incompatibilities
Not known.
6.3 Shelf life
24 months from the date of manufacture. The in-use shelf life is 28 days, however the patient should be advised to discard any remaining contents after the 5-day course of treatment.
6.4. Special precautions for storage
Protect from light.
Store between 2°C and 8°C.
6.5. Nature and contents of container
A flexible polypropylene bottle incorporating a polyethylene plug and cap assembly.
The bottles contain 10ml.
6.6. Instruction for use and handling
None.
7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER
Aventis Pharma Limited
One Onslow Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4YS
UK
Or trading as:
Sanofi-aventis or Sanofi
One Onslow Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4YS
UK
8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER
PL 04425/0366
9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION
12 August 2004
10
DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT
18/10/2016