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Compare Polytrim vs. Blephamide

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) and Blephamide (sulfacetamide / prednisolone) are both prescription eye medications used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they have some key differences. Polytrim is a combination of two antibiotics, polymyxin B and trimethoprim, and is used specifically for mild-to-moderate bacterial eye infections like pink eye. It is available as a lower-cost generic and is typically applied every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days. Common side effects include eye irritation such as redness, stinging, and itching. On the other hand, Blephamide combines an antibiotic, sulfacetamide, with a corticosteroid, prednisolone, to treat or prevent inflammation and bacterial infections. It comes in both eye drop and ointment forms and must be used multiple times a day. Blephamide can cause high eye pressure and eye injury if used for a long time, and it may trigger allergic reactions in people with sulfa allergies. While both medications are effective for bacterial eye infections, Blephamide also addresses inflammation, making it suitable for more complex cases involving both infection and inflammation.

  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Sulfacetamide / prednisolone
  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Sulfacetamide / prednisolone

  • Summary of Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Summary for Antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is a combination antibiotic eye drop. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate bacterial eye infections, such as pink eye, in adults and children ages 2 months and older. The typical dose is 1 drop applied directly in the eye(s) every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days. Some of the more common side effects of this eye drop include symptoms of eye irritation, such as redness, stinging, and itching. Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is available as a lower-cost generic.

    Summary for Antibiotic / Corticosteroid
    Prescription only

    Sulfacetamide / prednisolone is a combination eye drop used in adults and children ages 6 years and older to treat inflammatory eye conditions, including certain eye infections. Sulfacetamide is a sulfa antibiotic that kills bacteria and prednisolone is a corticosteroid that treats eye inflammation (e.g., redness, swelling, itching). The dosage is typically two drops in the affected eye(s) every 4 hours. This medication is only available as a lower-cost generic as the brand name Blephamide has been discontinued. Side effects include eye irritation and allergic reactions.

  • Indications of Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Indications for
    •Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and eyelid
    Indications for
    •Eye inflammation caused by a bacterial infection
    •Eye inflammation with a risk of bacterial infection

  • Pros and Cons of Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Pros and Const for Antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can treat a variety of eye infections in adults and children
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Applied directly on the eyes, so it has less side effects than oral antibiotics
    Cons
    •Has to be used every 3 hours for at least a week
    •Can cause temporary eye irritation after applying
    •Can make your eyes more sensitive to light
    Pros and Const for Antibiotic / Corticosteroid
    Pros
    •Useful for treating eye inflammation and a bacterial eye infection at the same time
    •Conveniently combines two medications into a single eye drop product
    •Applied directly to the eyes, which should have fewer side effects than medications taken by mouth
    Cons
    •Needs to be taken every 4 hours, including at night
    •Might be difficult for some people to use properly
    •Might not be the best choice for people who are allergic to sulfa medications

  • Common Side Effects of Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation (e.g., redness, burning, stinging, itching)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation

  • Warnings of Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Common Side Effects for
    •For use in the eye only
    •New infection
    •Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye problems
    •Possible eye injury or damage
    •Allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Polytrim vs. Blephamide

    Learn more about Polytrim
    Learn more about Sulfacetamide / prednisolone

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