Becky asked
What Over The Counter antibiotics can I use for bacterial pink eye?
Answer
Pinkeye (conjunctivitis) is caused by either a bacterial infection, viral infection, or allergies of the eye. Pink Eye is associated with redness and swelling of the membrane that lines the eyelids and eye. This can often be uncomfortable, painful, and itchy.
There is no over the counter treatment that will cure either bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.
- Antibiotic drops or ointments for curing bacterial conjunctivitis are available by prescription only.
- Viral conjunctivitis will usually resolve on its own after a period of around 10 days and requires only symptomatic treatment. Antibiotics should not be used for viral conjunctivitis.
There are however, many different options for treating the symptoms of bacterial or viral conjunctivitis over the counter.
To help alleviate the symptoms of bacterial or viral conjunctivites, OTC treatment options include:
- Hot or cold compress to relieve itching
- Redness relieving drops such as Clear Eyes (naphazoline)
- Lubricating eye drops such as Refresh
- Homeopathic eye drops such as Similasan
Sometimes, conjuntivitis can be related to allergies and is often helped by using over the counter antihistamines such as:
- Claritin (loratidine)
- Zyrtec (cetirizine)
- Allegra (fexofenadine)
It is important to note that pink eye can be very contagious if it is being caused by bacteria or a virus. Good sanitation practices, including frequent hand washing, should be taken to help prevent the spreading between eyes and other people.
- Bacterial and virus conjunctivitis usually remain contagious until the symptoms have started to improve for 3 to 5 days.
- If using antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis, it usually remains contagious until antibiotics have been used for 24 hours.
Pink eye caused by allergies is not the result of a pathogen and therefore is not contagious.
If you are experiencing symptoms that could indicate conjunctivitis, you should see a doctor so that they may diagnose it appropriately.
Summary
- Pink eye can be caused by allergies or by an infectious agent such as bacteria or a virus.
- Bacterial Pink eye typically resolves on its own, but antibiotics can hasten recovery.
- Viral Pink eye will resolve on its own, usually after 10 or so days.
- There are no antibiotics, or antivirals, available over the counter for treatment in The United States.
- There are a variety of eye drops available for symptom relief such as Clear Eyes or Similasan homeopathic drops.
