FDA-filed SPL labeling · retrieved through openFDA

Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic

Sulfacetamide ophthalmic is an antibiotic eye treatment used to treat conjunctivitis and other superficial eye infections, and as a support therapy for trachoma.

Brand names Bleph-10Bleph-30CetamideSodium SulamydAK-Sulf +3 more
Drug class ⓘ Sulfonamide Antibacterial
Rx Forms 2 Route Ophthalmic
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 8 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

At a glance
Linked label effectiveAug 1, 2022
Clinical labels in scope ⓘ8
AvailabilityRx
Earliest approval/marketing year ⓘ1945
FDA-listed product records ⓘ20
Boxed warningNone found in compared labels
How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Sep 24, 2026
⭐ Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
💊
HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Bottom Line
Sulfacetamide ophthalmic drops are a targeted antibiotic treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis and certain other superficial eye infections. They are generally well tolerated, with stinging and burning being the most common complaints. Rarely, serious reactions — including severe skin and blood disorders — can occur with sulfonamide drugs, so stop use and seek medical attention immediately if any unusual symptoms develop.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →

📖 Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic: Patient Information Guide

A plain-language walkthrough of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic — what it treats, how it works, how it’s taken, side effects, warnings and interactions. Tap any section to expand it.

🎯What it's used for▾

Sulfacetamide ophthalmic is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections on the surface of the eye. Supported uses include:

  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by susceptible bacteria — treated with Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10%
  • Other superficial ocular (eye surface) infections due to susceptible organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella species, Enterobacter species, E. coli, and viridans group streptococci — Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10%
  • Trachoma (a serious bacterial eye infection) — Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10% is used as an adjunct alongside systemic sulfonamide therapy; topical use alone is not sufficient

Note: this medication does not work against all bacteria. It does not adequately cover Neisseria species, Serratia marcescens, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and a significant portion of staph bacteria are fully resistant to sulfa drugs.

⚙️How it works▾

Sulfacetamide is a sulfonamide antibiotic. It works by competing with a substance called para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) that bacteria need to make their own folic acid — an essential building block for growth. By blocking this step, sulfacetamide stops bacteria from multiplying, allowing the body's immune system to clear the infection.

It's worth knowing that not all bacteria are vulnerable to this mechanism. Some organisms — including certain staph strains and several gram-negative bacteria — are resistant or not adequately covered, which is why your prescriber selects this medication based on the likely cause of your infection.

💊How it's taken▾

Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution is placed directly into the eye. For conjunctivitis and other superficial eye infections, it is typically used frequently at first — around every two to three hours — and then tapered (spaced further apart) as the infection improves. For trachoma, it is instilled every two hours and must always be used alongside a systemic antibiotic taken by mouth or injection. The usual treatment course is seven to ten days.

  • Apply to the affected eye(s) only
  • Follow your prescriber's schedule exactly — do not stop early even if the eye feels better
  • This is for eye use only; never inject
🤒Side effects — in detail▾

Most people using sulfacetamide eye drops experience only minor local reactions. Common side effects include:

  • Stinging or burning when the drops are applied
  • Local eye irritation
  • Eye redness (conjunctival hyperemia)
  • Non-specific conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
  • Secondary infections
  • Allergic reactions

More seriously, bacterial or fungal corneal ulcers (open sores on the eye surface) have developed during sulfonamide eye treatment. Rare but severe systemic reactions — including dangerous skin conditions and blood disorders — have also been reported (see warnings). Stop use and contact your doctor immediately if you notice a rash, blistering, unusual bruising, or any worsening symptoms.

⚠️Warnings & precautions▾
  • Serious and potentially fatal reactions have occurred with sulfonamide drugs. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (a severe reaction affecting skin and mucous membranes), toxic epidermal necrolysis (widespread skin blistering), severe liver damage, and blood disorders including agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia. Although rare, these have been reported even with topical use.
  • Stop using the drops at the first sign of a skin rash, blistering, or any other unexpected reaction, and seek medical attention right away.
  • Sensitivity reactions can recur if you are re-exposed to a sulfonamide — even by a different route of administration. They can also occur in people with no previous history of sulfonamide allergy.
  • This product is for eye use only — it must never be injected.
  • Corneal ulcers (open sores on the eye surface) caused by bacteria or fungi have developed during treatment with sulfonamide eye preparations — report any new eye pain or vision changes promptly.
🔀What it interacts with▾

There is one key compatibility issue to be aware of with sulfacetamide eye drops:

  • Silver-containing eye preparations: Sulfacetamide is chemically incompatible with silver preparations. Do not use these products together, as they can react and reduce effectiveness or cause irritation. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other eye drops or ointments you are using.

This is not a complete list of interactions. Always talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

📋Before taking it▾
  • Sulfonamide allergy: Do not use this medication if you have had a hypersensitivity (allergic) reaction to any sulfonamide drug or to any ingredient in the preparation. This is a contraindication.
  • Even if you have never reacted to a sulfonamide before, an allergic reaction is still possible — be alert for any new symptoms.
  • If you have ever had a serious reaction to a sulfonamide in the past, sensitivity can return even with eye drop use — inform your prescriber.
  • Tell your doctor about all other eye medications you are using before starting this treatment.
🔬Pharmacokinetics — how your body processes it▾

When sulfacetamide sodium is taken orally, it is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and excreted mostly unchanged in the urine. Its biological half-life (the time it takes the body to clear half the drug) has been reported to be between 7 and 13 hours. With topical application to skin, absorption is very low — studies with sulfacetamide sodium lotion found that only 0.08% to 0.33% of the applied dose was recovered in the urine. Eye drop use delivers the drug locally to the eye surface.

📦How to store it▾

Store between 2° to 25°C (36° to 77°F). Keep out of reach of children.

📄 Written from Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Every point is grounded in that labeling — nothing is invented. How we use AI →

20

Supplements & herbs that interact with Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic

20 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Moderate · 19
  • Minor · 1
ALFALFA Moderate ANGELICA ARCHANGELICA Moderate ARRACH Moderate BERGAMOT Moderate BISHOP'S WEED Moderate CHENOPODIUM OIL Moderate CHLORELLA Moderate CHLOROPHYLL Moderate +12 more
Every supplement checked against Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 19 moderate · 1 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

🩺 Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is this eye drop actually treating? ▾
It's an antibiotic drop that targets bacterial infections on the surface of your eye. The most common reason it's prescribed is conjunctivitis — what most people call pink eye — caused by susceptible bacteria. It can also be used for other minor eye surface infections, and in some cases alongside an oral antibiotic for a condition called trachoma. It won't work against viruses or all types of bacteria, so your doctor prescribed it because they believe your infection is the kind it can treat.
How often do I need to put the drops in? ▾
At the start of treatment, you'll use them quite frequently — typically every two to three hours. As your eye starts to get better, your doctor will usually have you space the doses out. A typical course runs about seven to ten days. Always follow the exact schedule your prescriber gave you, and don't stop early just because your eye feels better — finishing the course helps prevent the infection from coming back.
Is it normal for my eye to sting when I put the drops in? ▾
Yes, stinging and burning right after applying the drops are the most commonly reported reactions and are generally short-lived. Some redness or mild irritation is also normal. That said, if you notice the irritation is getting worse rather than better, or if your eye is becoming more painful, more red, or your vision is changing, let your doctor know right away — those could be signs of something that needs attention.
Are there any serious reactions I should know about? ▾
Serious reactions are rare but real. Sulfonamide drugs — the class this drop belongs to — have in rare cases caused severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which involves painful blistering of the skin and mouth, and serious blood disorders. If you develop any skin rash, blistering, unusual bruising, or you just feel very unwell while using this medication, stop using it immediately and contact your doctor or get emergency care. These reactions can occur even in people who've never had a problem with a sulfonamide before.
Can I use other eye drops at the same time? ▾
You need to be careful here. Sulfacetamide eye drops are chemically incompatible with any eye preparations that contain silver, so those two should never be used together. Make sure you tell your doctor and pharmacist about every eye drop or eye ointment you are currently using so they can check for any conflicts and give you guidance on timing if you need more than one product.
I've had an allergic reaction to a sulfa antibiotic tablet before — can I still use these drops? ▾
No — if you've had a hypersensitivity reaction to any sulfonamide drug in the past, you should not use this medication. That sensitivity can come back even when the drug is applied to your eye rather than taken by mouth. Tell your prescriber about your history before starting treatment. They'll find an alternative that's safe for you.
Is Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic available over the counter? ▾
Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.
When was Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic first available? ▾
Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic has been available in the United States since at least 1945, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.
Who makes Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic? ▾
Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is supplied by 11 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc, A-S Medication Solutions, Asclemed USA, Inc..

💬 Answers drafted from Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic’s FDA-approved label information, summarized in plain language with AI, and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Grounded in that labeling — nothing is made up. How we use AI →

🧰 Keep exploring

📊Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic supplement interactions20 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerSulfacetamide Ophthalmic vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication

💊 How Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic comes

Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is available in 2 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Eye drops

In the eye
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10% is used to treat conjunctivitis and other superficial eye infections caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Solution USP, 10% is used alongside systemic sulfonamide therapy for trachoma
Important instructions
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium: instill one or two drops into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) every two to three hours initially for eye infections, then space doses out as the eye improves
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium: for trachoma, instill two drops every two hours — systemic antibiotic therapy must be taken at the same time
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium: the usual course of treatment is seven to ten days
  • Sulfacetamide Sodium: for eye use only — never inject
Available strengths 1 strength
100 mg/mL
19 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Eye ointment

In the eye
Available strengths 1 strength
100 mg/g
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

📊 Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic across the U.S. market

How Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

2
Dose forms ⓘ
11
Manufacturers
2
Brand names
20
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1945
First marketed ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc20%
A-S Medication Solutions15%
Asclemed USA, Inc.10%
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated10%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.10%
RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc.10%
Other makers25%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

📈 How widely Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is used

A general measure of how commonly Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

11,572
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$429,931 gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic prescribed? Of the 1,596 medications we measure, Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic ranks #902 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 43% of them.

Where Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #902 of 1,596
#897 Famciclovir 11,935 Rx #898 Cyclophosphamide Injec... 11,741 Rx #899 Dasatinib 11,700 Rx #900 Nateglinide 11,692 Rx #901 Doravirine 11,622 Rx #902 Sulfacetamide Ophthalm... 11,572 Rx #903 Amlodipine / Hydrochlo... 11,527 Rx #904 Olmesartan Medoxomil /... 11,527 Rx #905 Bempedoic Acid 11,416 Rx #906 Acetaminophen / Aspiri... 11,352 Rx #907 Acetaminophen / Aspiri... 11,352 Rx

Utilization by Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

sulfacetamide sodium 100 MG/ML Ophthalmic Solution

11,572 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 100% of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic prescriptions shown $429,931 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $37 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 12 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1006120

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 1 of 12 listed Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic NDCs with Medicaid activity.

🔍 Compare Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength Route Manufacturer / Labeler Category ⓘ Details
💊Eye drops
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic A-S Medication Solutions × 3 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Asclemed USA, Inc. × 2 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Bausch & Lomb Incorporated × 2 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Direct Rx ANDA Find on DailyMed ↗
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. × 2 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Pacific Pharma, Inc. ANDA Find on DailyMed ↗
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc × 4 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Proficient Rx LP ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. × 2 listings ANDA View NDC →
100 mg/mL Ophthalmic Sandoz Inc. ANDA View NDC →
💊Eye ointment
100 mg/g Ophthalmic Padagis US LLC ANDA View NDC →

Showing 20 of 20 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 20 Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic NDCs →

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic RxCUI 10169 8 dose forms · 15 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Medicated Liquid Soap RxCUI 544671 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1006107
  2. Dose form (SCDF) Medicated Shampoo RxCUI 702362 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 100 MG/ML RxCUI 832864 sodium 98 MG/ML RxCUI 2571664
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Ointment RxCUI 378996 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 0.025 MG/MG RxCUI 1000868 sodium 0.06 MG/MG RxCUI 1000874 sodium 0.1 MG/MG RxCUI 1000673
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Ophthalmic Solution RxCUI 377432 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1006120 sodium 150 MG/ML RxCUI 1006710 sodium 200 MG/ML RxCUI 1006727 sodium 300 MG/ML RxCUI 1006729
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Cream RxCUI 451669 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1006683
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Foam RxCUI 406196 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 98 MG/ML RxCUI 1655061
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Gel RxCUI 451670 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 0.1 MG/MG RxCUI 1000713
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Topical Lotion RxCUI 377819 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) sodium 100 MG/ML RxCUI 1006688 sodium 98 MG/ML RxCUI 1542377

Look up RxCUI 10169 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

🏷️ Sold under these brand names

Bleph-10 Bleph-30 Cetamide Sodium Sulamyd AK-Sulf Ovace Carmol Scalp Klaron

🏭 Manufacturers & labelers

Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc 4 A-S Medication Solutions 3 Asclemed USA, Inc. 2 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated 2 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 2 RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Direct Rx 1 Pacific Pharma, Inc. 1 Padagis US LLC 1 Proficient Rx LP 1 Sandoz Inc. 1

🔬 Where this comes from

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Aug 1, 2022
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Sulfacetamide Ophthalmic after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
8
NDC products indexed
20
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
11
Linked representative label ⓘ
Proficient Rx LP
Linked label effective
Aug 1, 2022
Composite sections available
14
Linked SPL Set ID
2b4f125c-338e-479f-8feb-b82324230c65
Linked SPL Document ID
2b4f125c-338e-479f-8feb-b82324230c65
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How we combine label and product data

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records; we don’t author the underlying clinical facts. We identified 8 FDA-filed SPL label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. The representative label is the starting point for the displayed reference monograph; the 12 largest stored in-scope SPL records, which may include that representative, are compared section by section, and the longest available version of each section is retained. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, product-listed strengths, and product-record counts are aggregated separately from ingredient-matched FDA NDC Directory records; package records listed above are associated with the linked SPL; and the normalized concept hierarchy comes from NLM RxNorm.

Where a section is identified as AI-written, its plain-language text is generated from bounded label evidence. New draft drug pages remain in the admin review queue before first publication. Proficient Rx LP is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates; it is not the sole source used for the page.

This is general education, not medical advice — always consult your doctor or pharmacist about your medications and any medical condition. For the exact wording of the linked representative label, view that label on DailyMed; some displayed composite sections may come from other in-scope SPL labels. Learn how we use AI and our data sources & update cadence.