Ocunat

Ocunat Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Ocunat is a tetraene polyene antibiotic derived from Streptomyces natalensis. Ocunat probably exerts its antifungal effects by binding to sterols in the fungal cell membrane to produce a change in membrane permeability that allows loss of essential cellular constituents. It possesses in vitro activity against a variety of yeast and filamentous fungi, including Candida, Aspergillus, Cephalosporium, Fusarium and Penicillium. Although the activity against fungi is dose-related, Ocunat is predominantly fungicidal. Topical administration appears to produce effective concentration of Ocunat within the corneal stroma but not in intraocular fluid.

Ocunat is an antifungal drug for topical ophthalmic administration. It is a tetraene polyene antibiotic derived from Streptomyces natalensis. It possesses in vitro activity against a variety of yeast and filamentous fungi, including Candida, Aspergillus, Cephalosporium, Fusarium and Penicillium. Although the activity against fungi is dose-related, natamycin is predominantly fungicidal. Ocunat is not effective in vitro against gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria. Topical administration appears to produce effective concentrations of natamycin within the corneal stroma but not in intraocular fluid.

Ocunat
Uses
Dosage
Side Effect
Precautions
Interactions
Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
Food Interaction
Half Life
Volume of Distribution
Clearance
Interaction With other Medicine
Contradiction
Storage

Trade Name	Ocunat
Generic	Natamycin
Natamycin Other Names	Natamicina, Natamycin, Natamycine, Natamycinum, Pimaracin, Pimaricin
Weight	5%
Type	Eye Drops
Formula	C₃₃H₄₇NO₁₃
Weight	Average: 665.733 Monoisotopic: 665.304740577
Groups	Approved
Therapeutic Class	Ophthalmic antibacterial drugs
Manufacturer	Asiatic Laboratories Ltd
Available Country	Bangladesh
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Ocunat sterile ophthalmic suspension is used for the treatment of fungal blepharitis, conjunctivitis and keratitis caused by susceptible organisms including Fusarium solani.

Ocunat is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Fungal Keratitis, Fungal blepharitis, Fungal conjunctivitis

How Ocunat works

Like other polyene antibiotics, Ocunat inhibits fungal growth by binding to sterols. Specifically, Ocunat binds to ergosterol in the plasma membrane, preventing ergosterol-dependent fusion of vacuoles, as well as membrane fusion and fission. This differs from the mechanism of most other polyene antibiotics, which tend to work by altering fungal membrane permeability instead.

Dosage

Ocunat dosage

For fungal keratitis: The preferred initial dosage is 1 drop instilled in the conjuntival sac (s) at 1-2 hours interval. The frequency of application can usually be reduced to 1 drop 6-8 times daily after the first 3-4 days. Therapy should generally be continued for 14 to 21 days or until there is resolution of active fungal keratitis. In many cases, it may be helpful to reduce the dosage gradually at 4 to 7 days intervals to assure the replicating fungus has been eliminated.

For fungal blepharitis & conjunctivitis: Less frequent initial dosage, 1 drop 4-6 times daily may be sufficient.

Side Effects

Eye irritation, eye discomfort, eye edema, conjunctival chemosis and hyperemia has been reported.

Precaution

For topical eye use only. Failure of improvement of keratitis following 7-10 days of administration of the drug suggests that the infection may be caused by a microorganism not susceptible to natamycin.

Interaction

May increase spread of fungal eye infection when used with topical corticosteroid.

Food Interaction

No interactions found.

Elimination Route

Systemic absorption should not be expected following topical administration, and as with other polyene antibiotics, absorption from the gastrointestinal tract is very poor.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category C. Ocunat sterile ophthalmic suspension should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Lactation: It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when Ocunat is administered to a nursing mother.