Besifloxacin Ophthalmic

Besifloxacin Ophthalmic is a prescription medication used for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

• Besifloxacin Ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Besivance

Common side effects of Besifloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• temporary eye redness/itching/pain/irritation
• temporary blurred vision
• headache

Serious side effects of Besifloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• drainage or crusting of the eye
• severe eye irritation after using the eye drops
• feeling like there is something in the eye
• severe eye redness or swelling
• fever or any signs of a new infection

Rare side effects of Besifloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• none

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, coordination loss, unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms include fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 0.6% (5 mL)

Bacterial conjunctivitis

Adult dosage

• 1 drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily (4-12 hours apart) for 7 days

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 1 year
  • Safety & efficacy not established
• Children older than 1 year
  • 1 drop in the affected eye(s) three times daily (4-12 hours apart) for 7 days

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, healthcare provider, or pharmacist first.

• Besifloxacin Ophthalmic has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Besifloxacin Ophthalmic has serious interactions with no other drugs.
• Besifloxacin Ophthalmic has moderate interactions with no other drugs.
• Besifloxacin Ophthalmic has minor interactions with no other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your healthcare professional or doctor for additional medical advice, health questions, or concerns.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Besifloxacin Ophthalmic?

Contraindications

None listed by the manufacturer

Effects of drug abuse

None

Short-Term Effects

See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Besifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Besifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Cautions

May result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi

Avoid contact lenses during the treatment of infections

Pregnancy and Lactation

There are no available human data on besifloxacin use during pregnancy to inform any drug-associated risks; however, systemic exposure to from ocular administration is low; oral administration of besifloxacin to pregnant rats during organogenesis or pre/postnatal period did not produce adverse embryofetal or offspring effects at clinically relevant systemic exposures

Lactation

There are no data on the presence of the drug in human milk, its effects on breastfed infants, or milk production; however, systemic exposure to besifloxacin following topical ocular administration is low, and it is not known whether measurable levels of besifloxacin would be present in maternal milk following topical ocular administration

The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy, and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infants from treatment

Contraindications

• None listed by the manufacturer

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Besifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Besifloxacin Ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• May result in the overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi
• Avoid contact lenses during the treatment of infections

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no available human data on besifloxacin use during pregnancy to inform any drug-associated risks; however, systemic exposure to from ocular administration is low; oral administration of besifloxacin to pregnant rats during organogenesis or pre/postnatal period did not produce adverse embryofetal or offspring effects at clinically relevant systemic exposures
• Lactation
  • There are no data on the presence of the drug in human milk, its effects on breastfed infants, or milk production; however, systemic exposure to besifloxacin following topical ocular administration is low, and it is not known whether measurable levels of besifloxacin would be present in maternal milk following topical ocular administration
  • The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother’s clinical need for therapy, and any potential adverse effects on breastfed infants from treatment