September 3, 2009
The recommended prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum, erythromycin (0.5%) ophthalmic ointment, has been identified as being in short supply by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). During the shortage, the following recommendations are made to health care providers to manage supplies:

• Review your supplies of erythromycin eye ointment routinely.

• Reserve current supplies for neonatal prophylactic use only.

• Check with your pharmacies, and make them aware erythromycin ophthalmic ointment should be used only for newborns.

Tetracycline ophthalmic ointment and silver nitrate are no longer available in the U.S. The CDC and the FDA are discussing alternative therapies for newborns.

Read the FDA statement on the shortage. Also read the AAP SmartBrief e-mail newsletter daily for announcements on the shortage (register to receive AAP SmartBrief).