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Is Polysporin Eye Drops Advisable During Pregnancy?
Question: A few days ago I began experiencing some minor symptoms of pink eye. For the past two days I have been using polysporin eye drops for pink eye as directed. I have used them a total of 6-7 times. I am unsure if I am pregnant (still within the 2 week waiting period, no more than 3 days past possible conception) and it just occurred to me that these drops may be dangerous. I am reading mixed reviews online and I am concerned. Should I stop using these drops? If so, could I have done any harm to a fetus?
Brief Answer:
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
My Dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
Safty of this drug during pregnancy is questionable. Though we are not too sure of pregnancy it is safer to discontinue the drop immediately. When in doubt we have to err on the side of safty.
On the other hand the amount of exposure to active medication is so miniscule that that you should not worry about fetal toxicity of the drug.Consider the scenario a drop of drug with very very small amount of drug is put in the eye .It is absorbed in the eye and diffuses into blood and circulates all overthe body and a less than minuscle amount reaches the fetos(if it is there).
I have tried to explain the phenomenon only to emphasize that such small amount of drug reaches the fetus that no toxicity CSN occur.
Furthermore we as a rule do not like any exposure to medication during pregnancy.
Wash your eyes with water a couple of times and do not use any medication
Do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
My Dear,
Thanks for sending your query to us.
Safty of this drug during pregnancy is questionable. Though we are not too sure of pregnancy it is safer to discontinue the drop immediately. When in doubt we have to err on the side of safty.
On the other hand the amount of exposure to active medication is so miniscule that that you should not worry about fetal toxicity of the drug.Consider the scenario a drop of drug with very very small amount of drug is put in the eye .It is absorbed in the eye and diffuses into blood and circulates all overthe body and a less than minuscle amount reaches the fetos(if it is there).
I have tried to explain the phenomenon only to emphasize that such small amount of drug reaches the fetus that no toxicity CSN occur.
Furthermore we as a rule do not like any exposure to medication during pregnancy.
Wash your eyes with water a couple of times and do not use any medication
Do get back to me in case of any further query in this regard.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Dr. Misra,
Thanks for your reply. I have definitely stopped using the drops and will not continue. I am still a bit nervous by your response, because it sounds as though the drops do reach the fetus. That really scares me.
For some reason, I was under the impression that during the first few days after conception, the fertilized egg is still in the fallopian tubes and does not draw nutrients yet from the mother's blood stream. Is that an incorrect assumption? If so, what kinds of effects can these drops have on early development?
To be clear, I absolutely do not plan on continuing these drops. But I am still stressed about having used them over the past two days. I am no more than 2.5 days past conception.
Thanks for your reply. I have definitely stopped using the drops and will not continue. I am still a bit nervous by your response, because it sounds as though the drops do reach the fetus. That really scares me.
For some reason, I was under the impression that during the first few days after conception, the fertilized egg is still in the fallopian tubes and does not draw nutrients yet from the mother's blood stream. Is that an incorrect assumption? If so, what kinds of effects can these drops have on early development?
To be clear, I absolutely do not plan on continuing these drops. But I am still stressed about having used them over the past two days. I am no more than 2.5 days past conception.
Brief Answer:
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to us.
Your impression is contrary to what I wanted to convey. From blood stream the drug reaches body fluids. What is important to know is such a small amount of drug in the eye drop is diluted all over so almost negligible amount reaches anywhere as compared to oral drugs where larger amounts are consumed.
For a say 70 kg person these amounts of drug are less than significant.
My explanation was long because it was a important matter and you should be rest asdured that this exposure is insignificant
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
My dear,
Thanks for getting back to us.
Your impression is contrary to what I wanted to convey. From blood stream the drug reaches body fluids. What is important to know is such a small amount of drug in the eye drop is diluted all over so almost negligible amount reaches anywhere as compared to oral drugs where larger amounts are consumed.
For a say 70 kg person these amounts of drug are less than significant.
My explanation was long because it was a important matter and you should be rest asdured that this exposure is insignificant
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Thank you for clarifying and for putting my mind at ease. Nonetheless, I will discontinue use. What is your recommendation for treatment of pink eye during pregnancy? It is not severe and seems to have improved. But in the event that it gets worse or returns, what do you recommend? Are there safe treatments for pregnant women? If not, can pink eye resolve itself and get better without treatment? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for getting back to us.
This is a bacterial infection which is waning off just wash eyes with plain water and you will be fine.
All medication to be avoided unless essential.
Pink eye will resolve on its own in a few days.
Regards
polysporine
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for getting back to us.
This is a bacterial infection which is waning off just wash eyes with plain water and you will be fine.
All medication to be avoided unless essential.
Pink eye will resolve on its own in a few days.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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