Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline is an eye ointment used to treat inflamed and infected conditions affecting the external part of your eye and eyelids.
| Drug class | Antibiotic-Steroid Combination |
|---|---|
| Type | Combination |
| Forms | Eye Ointment |
| Common strength | Varies |
| Common Indian brands | Terramycin with Hydrocortisone (legacy) |
| Prescription status | Prescription |
What Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline is used for
Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment is prescribed by eye doctors to treat specific conditions affecting the outer parts of your eye and your eyelids. It is particularly useful when there is both inflammation and an infection present.
- Inflamed external eye conditions
- Infected external eye conditions
- Inflamed eyelid conditions
- Infected eyelid conditions
This medicine helps to relieve discomfort, reduce redness and swelling, and fight off bacterial infections in these areas.
How it works
This medicine is a combination of two active ingredients: Hydrocortisone and Oxytetracycline. Each component plays a crucial role in treating your eye condition:
- Oxytetracycline: This is an antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of certain bacteria that can cause eye infections. By eliminating these bacteria, it helps to clear up the infection.
- Hydrocortisone: This is a low-potency steroid. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. Hydrocortisone helps to reduce the swelling, redness, itching, and discomfort associated with inflammation in your eye and eyelids.
By combining an antibiotic with an anti-inflammatory steroid, Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment effectively tackles both the infection and the inflammation, providing comprehensive relief and promoting healing for inflamed and infected external eye and lid conditions.
How it’s used
Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment is typically applied to the affected eye or eyelid 2 to 3 times a day. Your eye doctor will provide specific instructions on how often and for how long you should use this medicine. It is crucial to follow their instructions precisely.
This medicine is usually prescribed for a short course. Do not use it for longer than your doctor recommends, even if your symptoms seem to improve. Prolonged use, especially of steroid-containing eye medicines, can have serious side effects.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the eye ointment. Avoid touching the tip of the ointment tube to your eye or any other surface to prevent contamination.
Always follow your ophthalmologist’s exact instructions.
Brands available in India
- Terramycin with Hydrocortisone (legacy)
Brand availability and pricing vary; confirm with your pharmacist.
Important safety warning
STEROID — DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE. Unsupervised or prolonged use of steroid eye medication can cause steroid-induced glaucoma (silent, irreversible optic-nerve damage) and cataract, and can turn a viral or fungal eye infection into a sight-threatening one. Use only on an eye doctor's prescription, for the stated duration, with eye-pressure checks. Never repeat an old prescription for a red eye.
Precautions & side effects
Critical Warning: STEROID — DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE.
Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment contains a steroid. Steroid eye medications, while very effective, carry significant risks if not used correctly and under strict medical supervision. It is absolutely essential to follow your eye doctor’s instructions precisely and adhere to the following precautions:
- Prescription Only: This medicine is available only on a prescription from a qualified eye doctor. Never use it without a prescription.
- Do Not Self-Medicate: Never use this ointment for a ‘red eye’ or any other eye problem without first consulting an eye doctor. What might seem like a simple irritation could be a serious condition that steroids could worsen.
- Strict Adherence to Duration: Use the ointment only for the duration prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop early, and critically, do not use it for longer than advised.
- Eye Pressure Checks: Unsupervised or prolonged use of steroid eye medication can cause steroid-induced glaucoma. This is a serious condition where pressure inside the eye increases, leading to silent, irreversible damage to the optic nerve, which can result in permanent vision loss. Your doctor may advise regular eye pressure checks while you are on this medication.
- Cataract Risk: Prolonged steroid use can also contribute to the development of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s natural lens.
- Masking Infections: Steroids can suppress the body’s immune response. If you have a viral or fungal eye infection, using a steroid can mask the symptoms and allow the infection to become much more severe and sight-threatening.
- Never Repeat an Old Prescription: Even if you experience similar symptoms to a previous condition, never reuse an old prescription for this medicine. The cause of your current symptoms might be different, and using a steroid inappropriately could be harmful.
- Inform Your Doctor: Always inform your eye doctor about your complete medical history, including any other medications you are taking, and any allergies you may have.
Your eye doctor will weigh the benefits against the risks and determine if this medication is suitable for your condition. Always communicate any concerns or new symptoms to your doctor immediately.
Understanding Your Eye Condition
Our eyes are delicate and complex organs, and the external parts, including the eyelids and the surface of the eye, are often exposed to the environment. This exposure can sometimes lead to conditions where both inflammation and infection are present. Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury or irritation, causing redness, swelling, warmth, and discomfort. When bacteria are also involved, it becomes an infected inflammatory condition. Common examples might include certain types of conjunctivitis (pink eye) or blepharitis (eyelid inflammation) that have a bacterial component. It’s important to understand that not all red eyes are the same, and what might look like a simple irritation could be a more serious underlying issue. That’s why a precise diagnosis from an eye doctor is crucial before starting any treatment, especially one that contains a steroid.
Symptoms of external eye or eyelid conditions can vary but often include redness, itching, burning, discharge, swelling of the eyelids, or a feeling of grittiness in the eye. While these symptoms can be uncomfortable, with proper diagnosis and treatment, most external eye conditions can be managed effectively. Your eye doctor will examine your eyes thoroughly to determine the exact cause of your symptoms and prescribe the most appropriate medication, like Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment, if it’s suitable for your specific condition.
Correct Application of Eye Ointment and General Eye Hygiene
Applying eye ointment correctly is vital to ensure the medicine works effectively and to prevent contamination. Always start by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your eyes or the ointment tube. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the ointment, unless your doctor advises otherwise. To apply the ointment, gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the ointment tube above your eye, being careful not to let the tip touch your eye, eyelid, or eyelashes. Squeeze a small strip of ointment (usually about 1 cm, or as directed by your doctor) into the pocket. Close your eye gently for a minute or two to allow the ointment to spread. You might experience temporary blurred vision after application, which is normal. Avoid rubbing your eyes. After application, replace the cap on the ointment tube immediately and wash your hands again.
Maintaining good eye hygiene is also essential, especially when dealing with an eye infection. Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes unnecessarily. If you need to clean your eyes, use a clean tissue or cotton ball soaked in sterile saline or boiled and cooled water. Always wipe from the inner corner of your eye outwards and use a fresh wipe for each eye to prevent spreading infection. Do not share towels, pillowcases, or eye makeup with others, as these can be sources of infection. If your doctor has prescribed other eye drops or ointments, ask them about the correct order and timing for applying each medication.
Storage and When to Seek Medical Attention
Store your Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment as directed on the packaging, usually in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and out of reach of children. Do not use the ointment if the expiry date has passed, or if the tube appears damaged or the ointment has changed in colour or consistency. Once opened, eye ointments have a limited shelf life, typically one month, to prevent contamination. Your pharmacist or doctor can confirm the exact discard date for your specific product.
While this medicine is prescribed to help your eyes, it’s important to be aware of when to seek further medical attention. If your symptoms worsen, do not improve after a few days of using the ointment, or if you develop new symptoms such as severe pain, significant vision changes, or increased redness and swelling, contact Pristine Eye Hospitals or your eye doctor immediately. Remember the critical warning about steroids: never repeat an old prescription for a red eye, and always complete the full course of treatment as prescribed by your doctor, attending any follow-up appointments for eye pressure checks if advised. Your vision is precious, and timely, appropriate medical care is key to protecting it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment used for?
Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment is used to treat inflamed and infected conditions affecting the external parts of your eye and eyelids. It helps reduce swelling, redness, and discomfort while fighting off bacterial infections.
How does Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment work?
This medicine combines an antibiotic (Oxytetracycline) and a low-potency steroid (Hydrocortisone). Oxytetracycline targets and eliminates bacteria causing the infection, while Hydrocortisone reduces inflammation, swelling, and redness in the eye.
What are the common Indian brands for Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment?
A legacy brand for this combination in India is Terramycin with Hydrocortisone.
How should I use Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment?
You should apply the eye ointment 2 to 3 times a day, or exactly as prescribed by your eye doctor. Always wash your hands before and after use, and avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye. It is prescribed for a short course, and you must follow the duration your doctor recommends.
Do I need a prescription for Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment?
Yes, Hydrocortisone + Oxytetracycline eye ointment is a prescription-only medicine. It contains a steroid, and unsupervised use can be harmful. You must only use it under the guidance of a qualified eye doctor.
What are the key precautions I should take with this eye ointment?
This medicine contains a steroid, so it's critical not to self-medicate. Use it only on your eye doctor's prescription, for the stated duration, and attend any recommended eye-pressure checks. Prolonged or unsupervised use can lead to serious side effects like steroid-induced glaucoma (irreversible optic nerve damage), cataract, and can worsen viral or fungal eye infections. Never repeat an old prescription for a red eye.
References
- Eye Diseases – MedlinePlus
- Eye health information – American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Learn about eye health – National Eye Institute (NIH)
- Blindness and vision impairment – World Health Organization
- StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
Medically reviewed by Dr. C Jagadesh Reddy, Chief Surgeon: Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery — last reviewed 2026-07-28.
This page is for general education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never self-medicate or reuse an old prescription. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist before starting, changing or stopping any eye medicine.