Compatibility of corticosteroids and antibiotics in combination

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 23; no. 6; p. 878
• Main Authors: Mahlberg, K, Krootila, K, Uusitalo, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-07-1997
• Subjects: Animals; Anterior Eye Segment - surgery; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Chemical Precipitation; Conjunctiva - drug effects; Conjunctiva - pathology; Drug Combinations; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Incompatibility; Glucocorticoids - chemistry; Glucocorticoids - pharmacology; Guinea Pigs
• ISSN: 0886-3350
• DOI: 10.1016/S0886-3350(97)80247-7

To study the compatibility of combinations of antibiotics and steroids commonly used in anterior segment surgery.
Research Laboratory, Helsinki University, Finland.
Aggregate production in vitro and in vivo was studied for three injectable antibiotics (cefotaxime sodium, tobramycin sulfate, and gentamicin) and four corticosteroids (triamcinolone acetonide, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, methylprednisolone acetate, and dexamethasone sodium phosphate) using conventional and dark-field microscopy. Aggregate formation on collagen shields and subconjunctival aggregate formation of tobramycin sulfate in combination with methylprednisolone acetate or dexamethasone sodium phosphate was also studied.
Dexamethasone sodium phosphate (4 mg/mL) did not form aggregates with any of the three antibiotics tested. Cefotaxime sodium did not cause aggregates when 24 mg/mL of dexamethasone sodium phosphate was used both in vitro and in vivo or in association with collagen shields.
To avoid undesired side effects, such as epithelial sloughing and corneal edema after collagen shield application, antibiotics and steroids must be carefully selected.