Gentacin eye ointment is an ophthalmic antibiotic. It works by slowing the growth of, or killing, sensitive bacteria. It is used for treating surface eye infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Do not use Gentacin eye ointment if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Gentacin eye ointment

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Take special care:

• Prolonged use of topical antibiotics may give rise to overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms including fungi. Bacterial resistance to Gentacin may also develop. If purulent discharge, inflammation or pain becomes aggravated, the patient should discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician.
• If irritation or hypersensitivity to any component of the drug develops, the patient should discontinue use of this preparation, and appropriate therapy should be instituted.
• Ophthalmic ointments may retard corneal healing.
• Do not use Gentacin ointment for future eye problems without checking with your doctor.
• Be sure to use Gentacin ointment for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Gentacin ointment while you are pregnant. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Gentacin ointment, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Driving and using machines

Gentacin ointment may cause blurred vision. Use Gentacin ointment with caution. Do not drive, use machineries or other possibly unsafe tasks until your vision is clear.

Using other medicines

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Gentacin. Because little, if any, of Gentacin is absorbed into the blood, the risk of it interacting with another medicine is low.

Ask your health care provider if Gentacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

If you are using more than one type of eye medicine, the medicines must be used at least 5 minutes apart. Eye ointments should be used last.

Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand. Use Gentacin eye ointment exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor

Apply a sufficient amount of GENTACIN eye ointment 2 - 3 times a day. Reduce the number of daily application when favorable response occurs, and eventually discontinue therapy as cure is achieved.

To apply the eye ointment, follow these steps:

1.    Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

2.    Use a mirror or have someone else apply the ointment.

3.    Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else. The ointment must be kept clean.

4.    Tilt your head forward slightly.

5.    Holding the tube between your thumb and index finger, place the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.

6.    Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.

7.    With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of your eye down to form a pocket.

8.    Place a small amount of ointment into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. A 1/2-inch (1.25-centimeter) strip of ointment usually is enough unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

9.    Gently close your eyes and keep them closed for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the medication to be absorbed.

10.  Replace and tighten the cap right away.

11. Wipe off any excess ointment from your eyelids and lashes with a clean tissue. Wash your hands again.

If you use more Gentacin than you should: In adults an overdose due to the use of the eye ointment is unlikely, however, if you use too many amount or if the ointment is accidentally swallowed, you should contact your doctor.

If you forget to use Gentacin Apply the ointment as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not double your dose and carry on with the normal scheduled dose.

If you have any further question on the use of this product , ask your doctor, Healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Like all medicines Gentacin can cause side effects although not everybody gets them.

Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have developed during treatment with gentacin eye  ointment.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are ocular burning and irritation upon drug instillation,

non-specific conjunctivitis, conjunctival epithelial defects and conjunctival hyperemia.

Other adverse reactions which have occurred rarely are allergic reactions, thrombocytopenic purpura

and hallucinations

If irritation or sensitivity occurs, tell your doctor at once. The treatment should be stopped.

If any other side effect gets serious or if you notice any side effect not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

•  Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
•   Store below 30°C.
•  Do not refrigerate or freeze.
•  Keep the tube tightly closed.
•  Do not use the ointment after the expiry date (marked 'Exp') on the tube and the carton.
•  The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
•  Stop using the container one month after first opening, to prevent infections.
•  Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
• Do not pass this medicine on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours