You wake up in the morning, you go to the mirror and, when you see your reflection, you are horrified at how swollen, reddened and your eyes “soured”. Common situation? What about annoying itching in the eyes, after which, as a rule, barley appears? In such situations, speed is important! Eye drops "Albucid" or "Sulfacyl sodium" - these are the drugs that should be in your home medicine cabinet all the time. These are antimicrobial drugs that stop the reproduction of harmful microorganisms and thereby help the immune system cope with the inflammatory process. By the way, without medical treatment, the fight against conjunctivitis or barley can be very long and inconclusive.
Is there any difference?
Drops for eyes "Albucid" and "Sulfacyl sodium" are two topical ophthalmic medicines. Which of them should be preferred in order to get rid of unpleasant symptoms of the inflammatory process as soon as possible?
The fact is that the active component of both drugs is sulfacetamide, auxiliary components are sodium thiosulfate, hydrochloric acid and purified water. Both 20% and 30% solutions are available. It turns out that “Albucid” and “Sulfacyl sodium” are one and the same remedy, just with different trade names. Both medicines are packed in plastic dropper bottles and in cardboard boxes, are in the same price category, so there is absolutely no difference which one to choose for treatment.
Act
The active component sulfacetamide in the composition of "Albucid" and "Sulfacyl sodium" is an intermediate product of the synthesis of streptocide. It is active against more than ten types of harmful gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, such as staphylococci, streptococci, chlamydia, gonococcal infections, which cause inflammatory and purulent processes. It has a local effect, it is soluble in water, and therefore it penetrates perfectly into the tissues of the eye. Suppresses bacteria, disrupts their vital functions, deprives the ability to reproduce. As a result of using the drug, the number of bacteria decreases sharply, and soon they will die at all.
Sodium thiosulfate in the composition of “Albucid” and “Sulfacyl sodium” is used as a means of detoxification and antihistamine action, and hydrochloric acid positively affects the metabolic processes of tissues.
Thus, the drug simultaneously kills bacteria, relieves swelling and redness and restores vital processes in the tissues of the eye.
Indications
Drops “Albucid” and “Sulfacyl sodium” are one and the same tool that will help to cope with a burning sensation, itching, redness and swelling and with such an unpleasant feeling as “sand in the eyes”, which appeared as a result of the following diseases:
- purulent conjunctivitis;
- purulent corneal ulcers;
- blepharitis;
- gonorrheal lesions.
In addition to treating inflammatory processes, these eye drops are used to prevent blennorrhea in newborns.
We are treated correctly
To get the maximum effect from the use, it is imperative to follow the recommended application scheme by the manufacturers. How to drip "Albucid" or "Sulfacyl sodium"? The instructions indicate the following treatment regimen:
- to remove the inflammatory processes, the drops are instilled 5-6 times a day, directly into the eye, pulling the lower eyelid;
- for the prevention of blennorrhea of newborns, babies are instilled with two drops in each eye immediately after birth and after two hours.
Drops "Sulfacil sodium" and "Albucid" - this is not an ambulance. In order to completely get rid of the symptoms of the disease and not provoke a repeated exacerbation of inflammation or suppuration, drops are used for seven days.
Use in childhood and pregnancy
Due to the fact that the eye solutions have a local effect, they can be used by pregnant and lactating women without harm to the fetus and baby.
Sulfacetamide is widely used in pediatrics, however, only a doctor can prescribe ophthalmic preparations containing this component. Therefore, if the child has inflammation or purulent discharge in the eyes, you should consult a doctor who will determine the cause of this condition and give recommendations regarding treatment.
There is no special form for the release of eye drops with sulfacetamide for babies. For the treatment of adults, 30% solutions are used, children are usually prescribed 20% drops.
Be careful
"Albucid" and "Sulfacyl sodium" are drugs that are not compatible with medicines containing silver. If at the time of the disease such medicines as Protargol or Krotargol are taken, a doctor’s consultation regarding the use of eye drops is mandatory.
When using Albucid or Sulfacyl Sodium for barley or another disease, you should be very careful if contact lenses are used. The drug can ruin them. Before instilling the lens, you need to remove and reuse it after half an hour after the procedure.
After application, temporary tingling and lacrimation may be felt. As a rule, these uncomfortable sensations pass quickly. But it is possible that a strong burning sensation after applying the medicine and long lacrimation is an allergic reaction to the components of the drug. In this case, you should refuse to take the drops and consult your doctor about further treatment.
With frequent use, overdoses are not excluded, which are manifested by eye irritation, an increase in swelling and redness of the eyelids. In this case, reduce the concentration of the solution and reduce the frequency of instillation.
It is important to remember that after opening the bottle, the medicine can maintain therapeutic properties for one month, provided that the drops were stored in a dark place at a temperature of 8˚ to 15˚ . If the open bottle has stood for longer than the specified period, they cannot be used.
You should always remember that self-prescribed drugs are extremely dangerous to health. Before you go to the pharmacy, you should visit a doctor who will diagnose and prescribe a medicine that will certainly help to cope with the symptoms of the disease.