Sulfacetamide and prednisolone

Drug Interactions Sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone sodium phosphate ophthalmic solution is incompatible with silver preparations. Local anesthetics related to p-aminobenzoic acid may antagonize the action of the sulfonamides.

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Prednisolone has been shown to be teratogenic in rabbits, hamsters, and mice. In mice, prednisolone has been shown to be teratogenic when given in doses 1 to 10 times the human ocular dose. Dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and prednisolone were ocularly applied to both eyes of pregnant mice five times per day on days 10 through 13 of gestation. A significant increase in the incidence of cleft palate was observed in the fetuses of the treated mice. There are no adequate, well-controlled studies in pregnant women dosed with corticosteroids. Kernicterus may be precipitated in infants by sulfonamides given systemically during the third trimester of pregnancy.

It is not known whether sulfacetamide sodium can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or whether it can affect reproductive capacity. Sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone sodium phosphate ophthalmic solution should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers It is not known whether topical administration of corticosteroids could result in sufficient systemic absorption to produce detectable quantities in human milk. Systemically administered corticosteroids appear in human milk and could suppress growth, interfere with endogenous corticosteroid production, or cause other untoward effects. Systemically administered sulfonamides are capable of producing kernicterus in infants of lactating women.

Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolone sodium phosphate ophthalmic solution, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the medication.