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Brand Names:
Ciloxan®
Medication prescribed:
Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye including conjunctivitis (pinkeye; infection of the membrane that covers the outside of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid) and corneal ulcers (infection and loss of tissue in the clear front part of the eye). Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment is used to treat conjunctivitis. Ciprofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infection.
How should this medicine be used:
Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin comes as a solution (eye drops) and an ointment to apply to the eyes. Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is usually used often, between once every 15 minutes to once every 4 hours while awake for 7 to 14 days or longer. Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment is usually applied 3 times a day for 2 days and then twice a day for 5 days. To help you remember to use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin, use it at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You should expect your symptoms to improve during your treatment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not go away or get worse, or if you develop other problems with your eyes during your treatment.
Use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
When you use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin, be careful not to let the tip of the bottle or tube touch your eye, fingers, face, or any surface. If the tip does touch another surface, bacteria may get into the eye ointment or drops. Using eye ointment or drops that are contaminated with bacteria may cause serious damage to the eye or loss of vision. If you think your eye ointment or drops have become contaminated, call your doctor or pharmacist.
To use the eye drops or ointment, follow these steps:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Use a mirror or have someone else put the drops or ointment in your eye(s).
Remove the protective cap from the bottle or tube. Make sure that the end of the dropper tip is not chipped or cracked.
If you are using eye drops, hold the bottle with the tip down at all times to prevent drops from flowing back into the bottle and contaminating the medication inside.
Lie down and gaze upward or tilt your head back.
Holding the bottle or tube between your thumb and index finger, place the dropper tip or end of the tube as near as possible to your eyelid without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your cheek or nose.
With the index finger of your other hand, pull the lower lid of the eye down to form a pocket.
If you are using the eye drops, drop the prescribed number of drops into the pocket made by the lower lid and the eye. Placing drops on the surface of the eyeball can cause stinging. Then close your eye and press lightly against the lower lid with your finger for 2–3 minutes to keep the medication in the eye. Do not blink. Use a clean tissue to wipe any excess liquid from your cheek.
If you are using the ointment, squeeze a thin ribbon of ointment into the pocket. Blink gently and close your eye for 1–2 minutes. Use a clean tissue to wipe excess ointment from your eyelids or eyelashes.
If your doctor told you to use ciprofloxacin eye drops or ointment in both eyes, repeat steps 6–10 above for your other eye.
Replace the cap on the tube or bottle and tighten it right away.
Wash your hands again.
Other uses for this medicine:
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Special precautions:
Before using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan), other quinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac) (not available in the United States), enoxacin (Penetrex) (not available in the United States), gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram) (not available in the United States), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), and sparfloxacin (Zagam), any other medications, or benzalkonium chloride.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), and theophylline (Theo-Dur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin, call your doctor.
you should know that your vision may be blurred during your treatment with ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment. Avoid rubbing your eyes even if your vision is blurred. Do not drive a car or operate machinery if you are unable to see clearly.
tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or while you are applying eye drops or ointment.
you should know that bacterial conjunctivitis spreads easily. Wash your hands often, especially after you touch your eyes. When your infection goes away, you should wash or replace any eye makeup, contact lenses, or other objects that touched your infected eye(s).
Special dietary instructions:
Talk to your doctor about drinking coffee or other beverages containing caffeine while you are taking this medication.
If I forget a dose:
Place the missed dose in your eye(s) as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects:
Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
burning, red, itchy, crusty, or irritated eyes
eye pain
feeling that something is in your eye
unpleasant taste
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
rash
hives
itching
tingling
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing
hoarseness
Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions:
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of overdose:
In case of overdosage, call your local poison control center. If you place too many drops of the ophthalmic solution in your eye, wash your eye with plenty of warm tap water.
Other information:
Keep all appointments with your doctor
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution or ointment, call your doctor.
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