Bacitracin: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is the function of bacitracin?

Bacitracin is a drug commonly used to prevent or treat minor skin infections caused by minor cuts, scrapes, or burns. Bacitracin works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria. This drug belongs to the class of antibiotic drugs.

These antibiotics only prevent bacterial infections. However, this medication will not work for viral or fungal infections. The use of any antibiotics unnecessarily or excessively can cause the effectiveness of the drug to decrease.

Bacitracin is a prescription drug, which is a drug you can only buy at a pharmacy if your doctor prescribes it. Do not use or buy this medication without your doctor's instructions.

Check with your doctor first before using this product for serious skin injuries (such as deep cuts or punctures, animal bites, serious burns). Different treatments may be required for these types of conditions. Consult your doctor for more information.

How to use bacitracin?

There are several steps you must take to use this drug.

How to use topical bacitracin

• To get the maximum benefit from using this drug, don't miss a dose
• Use according to the instructions given by the doctor or listed on the medicine package.
• Use this medicine by applying it to the skin and keep it away from the eyes, nose and eyes.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before and after using this medicine. Do not wash your hands after using this medicine if the infection is on the hand area.
• Clean the infection and surrounding area before applying the medicine to make sure your wound is dry.
• Gently apply bacitrocin, a thin layer on the infected area
• You can cover the area that has been smeared with a bandage.

How to use bacitracin ointment for the eyes

• Wash your hands before using eye medicines.
• When applying bacitracin ointment for the eyes, tilt your head and pull on the lower eyelid to make room for you to apply the medicine. Hold the ointment container with the other hand with the tip directed toward the space under the eye. Keep your eyes up.
• Take out the ointment from the container to taste. Try not to touch the end of the medicine container with your hands as this can contaminate the ointment and container and cause more serious problems. Point the medicine container to the eye area that will be smeared.
• Once the ointment has gotten into your eye, blink a few times and then close your eyes for one to two minutes.
• Use a tissue to clean the eye area from the remaining ointment that is still stuck outside the eye.

In addition, there are a number of things that you should pay attention to when using bacitracin, such as:

• Do not use bacitracin for longer than instructed, because, the infection may recur. Discontinue use after seven consecutive days. If the infection doesn't get better after seven days, call your doctor right away.
• Bacitracin in ointment and powder form is harmful if swallowed. If you accidentally swallow bacitracin in ointment or powder, immediately contact your doctor or national poisoning center. If your skin infection is serious, do not use this drug and contact your doctor immediately for further treatment.
• Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not use bacitracin eye ointment for eye problems that have not been examined by an eye doctor. Make sure you use bacitracin ointment for the eyes after getting a doctor's recommendation or prescription.
• Do not intentionally skip doses for the use of bacitracin eye ointment, because if you miss a dose, the risk of side effects will be greater.
• When using bacitracin ointment for the eye, avoid using the other eye medication to avoid interactions.
• Do not use contact lenses while you are using this medicine because they may tear or stick to the ointment. This condition will make your condition worse.

How to store bacitracin?

Bacitracin is best stored at room temperature and kept away from direct light exposure. Do not expose this drug to humid temperatures. Do not store bacitracin in the bathroom and do not freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product so as not to pollute the environment.

Store this medicinal ointment at room temperature between 15-30 ° C. Store the powdered version of this medication at room temperature 2-15 ° C.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of bacitracin for adults?

Adult dosage for superficial, topical skin infections

Ointment: Apply an amount equal to the surface area of ​​the fingers to the problem areas 1-3 times a day.

Powder: Apply bacitracin powder to the problem area 1-3 times a day.

Adult dose for inflammation of the eyelids, ophthalmic

Apply twice a day, during the day and just before bed.

Adult dose for conjunctival, ophthalmic infections

Use every three to four hours for 10 days according to the severity of the infection.

What is the dose of bacitracin for children?

Children's dosage for superficial, topical skin infections

Ointment: Apply an amount equal to the surface area of ​​the fingers to the problem areas 1-3 times a day.

Powder: Apply bacitracin powder to the problem area 1-3 times a day.

Children's dosage for ophthalmics

Infants, children and teenagers: apply one to three times daily

In what dosage is bacitracin available?

Bacitracin is available as ointment, eye ointment and powder.

Side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to bacitracin?

Using this medicine for a long time or repeatedly may result in other types of skin infections (such as fungal infections or other bacterial infections), but they are rare. Call your doctor if you notice unusual skin symptoms or if your condition doesn't improve.

Very serious, even deadly, allergic reactions to this drug are rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Side effects that may arise if you use bacitracin topical ointment and powder are as follows:

• itchy rash
• skin rash
• flushed skin
• swelling
• peeling skin with fever or not
• chills
• tightness in the chest and throat
• difficulty breathing, swallowing and speaking
• hoarseness
• swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, and throat

Meanwhile, the side effects that may occur if you use bacitracin ointment for the eyes are:

• Irritation of the area where the ointment is applied
• Allergic reactions such as pruritus, conjunctival edema, and erythema).
• Blurred eyesight. Avoid doing activities that require you to see clearly, such as driving and operating machinery.
• Bacterial growth may accelerate if you use this medicine more than your doctor instructs you to. Immediately stop using the drug if the period of use of the drug delivered by the doctor has ended.

All drugs have possible side effects. Even so, not everyone will experience side effects from using this drug. Many people using this drug do not experience serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you experience strange symptoms that bother you or don't go away after using bacitracin.

Not all of the side effects mentioned above are sure to appear. In fact, there are side effects that may not be mentioned above. If you have any doubts about a condition that you are experiencing, contact your doctor immediately for advice on the types of side effects that may arise from using bacitracin.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using bacitracin?

Before using bacitracin, there are a number of things that you should pay attention to and do, such as:

• Do not use bacitracin if you have an allergy to bacitracin. mineral oil, or petroleum jelly .
• Do not use bacitracin to treat wounds caused by animal or insect bites, puncture wounds, serious skin wounds, or serious burns. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to use this drug if you are unsure.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, nutritional supplements, vitamins, and herbal products that you are currently using or will be using. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using bacitracin, call your doctor right away.

Is bacitracin safe for pregnant and lactating women?

The use of bacitracin during pregnancy should still be under the supervision of a doctor. We recommend that you use this drug only as long as needed. For further explanation, consult your doctor about the benefits and risks of using bacitracin.

Meanwhile, for nursing mothers, this drug is not easily absorbed into the body after its use on the skin. Therefore, this drug is very unlikely to pass through breast milk (ASI) and be drunk by a breastfeeding baby.

However, the use of this drug must still be used with caution, especially if applied to the area around the chest or easily accessible to toddlers, because there is a possibility that this drug is accidentally licked by the baby.

Interaction

What other medicines may interact with bacitracin?

Drug interactions do not always occur. If drug interactions do occur, they could change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects.

Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article. Keep a list of all the medicinal products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist about any possible interactions.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval. Your doctor or pharmacist can prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring.

Although certain drugs should not be used at the same time, in certain cases, two different drugs can be used together, even if interactions are possible.

In these circumstances, your doctor may change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Can food or alcohol interact with bacitracin?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with bacitracin?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems that may interact with the drugs used to prevent and treat this infection.

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Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.