Topical cellulose pharmaceutical formulation

A sterile medication adapted for ophthalmic use comprising an aqueous gel formulation comprising at least one antibiotic suitable for ophthalmic administration in a therapeutically effective amount for those in need thereof, purified water, and an amount of a gelling agent effective to form said gel, said gel having a viscosity of from 75,000 to 300,000 cps at a temperature from 25.degree. to 30.degree. C., said formulation being substantially free of an oil phase, said antibiotic being solubilized in said formulation, wherein said gelling agent consists essentially of cellulose or a cellulose derivative in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt. % and wherein said cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, and cellulose gum.

A topical gel formulation comprising at least one pharmaceutically active substance in a therapeutically effective amount for those in need thereof, purified water, and an amount of a cellulose based gelling agent effective to form an aqueous gel, said formulation being substantially free of an oil phase, said gel having a viscosity of from 75,000 to 300,000 cps at a temperature of from 25.degree. to 30.degree. C., said pharmaceutically active substance being solubilized in said formulation, wherein said gelling agent consists essentially of cellulose or a cellulose derivative in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt. %, and wherein said cellulose derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, ethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, and cellulose gum.