Patient Education for Adult Bacterial Conjunctivitis Treated with Polymyxin B/Trimethoprim (Polytrim)
For adults with bacterial conjunctivitis prescribed polymyxin B/trimethoprim ophthalmic solution, educate them that this is an effective, cost-efficient treatment that will likely speed recovery by several days compared to no treatment, though many cases resolve on their own. 1, 2
How to Use Your Eye Drops
Application Technique
- Instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s) every 3 to 4 hours (up to 4 times daily) for 7 days 3, 2
- Tilt your head back and pull down the lower eyelid to create a small pocket 3
- Avoid touching the dropper tip to your eye, eyelids, or any surface to prevent contamination 3
- Do not share this medication with others, as this can spread infection 3
- Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use 3
Vision and Activities
- Your vision may be temporarily blurred after using the drops 3
- Exercise caution when driving or operating machinery immediately after application 3
What to Expect
Timeline for Improvement
- Most patients experience clinical improvement by days 4-6 of treatment, with 72-77% reporting cure at this timepoint 2
- By days 7-10, approximately 95-96% of patients achieve complete resolution 2
- Without antibiotics, about 55% of bacterial conjunctivitis cases resolve spontaneously by days 4-9 4
Benefits of Treatment
- Antibiotics increase your chance of clinical cure by approximately 26% compared to no treatment 4
- Treatment allows for earlier return to work or school by reducing transmissibility 1
- You are 27% less likely to have persistent infection with antibiotic treatment 4
Warning Signs - When to Contact Your Doctor
Stop using the medication and contact your physician if: 3
- Inflammation or pain persists longer than 48 hours 3
- Symptoms become worse rather than better 3
- You develop severe eye pain, vision changes, or light sensitivity (these may indicate more serious conditions requiring urgent evaluation) 1
Infection Control Measures
Preventing Spread to Others
- Bacterial conjunctivitis is contagious, so practice good hand hygiene 1
- Avoid sharing towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup 1
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your eyes 1
Important Safety Information
Side Effects
- Serious systemic side effects are extremely rare with topical antibiotic eye drops 4
- Local eye irritation may occur but is generally mild 2, 5
- No significant adverse reactions were reported in clinical trials comparing this medication to other antibiotics 5, 6
Special Considerations
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, discuss this with your doctor, as the medication should only be used if benefits outweigh potential risks 3
- Keep this medication out of reach of children 3
Cost and Effectiveness
- Polymyxin B/trimethoprim is equally effective to newer, more expensive fluoroquinolone antibiotics for uncomplicated bacterial conjunctivitis 2
- This medication provides significant cost savings compared to fluoroquinolones while maintaining comparable cure rates 2
- Clinical cure rates are 95-96% regardless of whether bacteria are cultured from your eye 2