What is Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Blephamide, Blephamide S.O.P., Blephamide S.O.P., Metimyd, Vasocidin

Generic Names:

  • Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone

Uses:

  • Treats and prevents eye infection and inflammation. This medicine is a combination of a sulfa drug and a corticosteroid.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Sulfonamide/Corticosteroid Combination

Forms:

  • Liquid, Ointment, Drop

How it’s taken:

  • Into the eye

What is Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone used for?

What form(s) does Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone come in

  • Liquid

  • Ointment

  • Drop

What are common Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone doses?

  • Bottle 5ML of 10-0.23%

Common Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone prescriptions

  • Sulfacetamide-prednisoLONE
    10ml of 10-0.23% eye dropper

  • Sulfacetamide-prednisoLONE
    5ml of 10-0.23% eye dropper

How to take Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Eye drops: Do not use this medicine if the liquid has become darker in color.Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine.Ophthalmic routeShake the eye drops well just before each use. Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Eye ointment: Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store this medicine in a cool, dry place or at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

  • To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • To use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • To use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Eye drops: Do not use this medicine if the liquid has become darker in color.Do not wear contact lenses while you are using this medicine.Ophthalmic routeShake the eye drops well just before each use. Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Store this medicine in a cool, dry place or at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.

  • To use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Eye ointment: Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

What to do if you miss a dose of Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone

  • If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.

  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to sulfacetamide, prednisolone, or other sulfa drugs or corticosteroids, or if you have certain other eye infections (including herpes simplex).

Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, cataracts, or other eye problems (including severe dry eyes).

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Eye problems (including glaucoma, cataracts, infections) with long-term useIncreased pressure inside the eyesSlow wound healing after eye surgerySerious skin reactions

  • You will need to have your eyes checked regularly if you use the medicine for 10 days or longer. Be sure to keep all appointments.

  • If your condition has not improved within 2 days, stop using the medicine and call your doctor.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Ophthalmic routeIf you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how sulfacetamide/prednisolone works. Tell your doctor if you are also using silver preparations, including silver nitrate or silver sulfadiazine.

  • If your condition has not improved within 2 days, stop using the medicine and call your doctor.

  • This medicine could increase the pressure inside your eye or cause other eye problems, including cataracts. Keep all appointments so your doctor can check for these problems.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to use less and less before stopping it completely.

Sulfacetamide-Prednisolone side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Yellow eyes or skin

  • Sensitivity to light, trouble seeing, or other changes in vision

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Yellow eyes or skin

  • Unusual tiredness or weakness

  • Redness, pain, swelling, or discharge not present in your eye before using this medicine

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Stinging when putting the medicine in your eyes

  • Dry eyes, drooping eyelids