Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic

Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic is a prescription medication used for the treatment of bacterial infections of the eyes.

• Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic is available under the following different brand names: Ciloxan

Adult dosage

Ophthalmic solution

• 0.3%

Ophthalmic ointment

• 0.3%

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Adult dosage

• Solution: 1-2 drops instilled into the conjunctival sac(s) every 2 hours with the patient awake on days 1-2, then 1-2 drops every 4 hours with the patient awake on days 3-7
• Ointment: 0.5-in. (1.25-cm) ribbon applied into conjunctival sac every 8 hours on days 1-2, then 0.5-in. (1.25-cm) ribbon every 12 hours on days 3-7

Corneal Ulcers (Keratitis)

Adult dosage

• Solution: 2 drops every 15 mins for 6 hours, then 2 drops every 30mins for the remainder of day 1, then 2 drops every hour on day 2, and finally 2 drops every 4 hours on days 3-14

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”

Common side effects of CiprofloxacinOophthalmic include:

• dry eyes or watery eyes,
• eye pain or discomfort,
• red or puffy eyelids,
• feeling like something is in the eye,
• blurred vision, or
• mild itching, redness, or other irritation.

Serious side effects of Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using this medicine; or
• signs of infection like eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage

Rare side effects of Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic include:

• none 

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result 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.

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, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic has no noted minor interactions with any 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 of 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 health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Resistance to ciprofloxacin
• Hypersensitivity to quinolones or any component of the product

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic?”

Cautions

• Serious and occasionally fatal hypersensitivity (anaphylactic) reactions, some following the first dose, were reported; some reactions were accompanied by cardiovascular collapse, loss of consciousness, tingling, pharyngeal or facial edema, dyspnea, urticaria, and itching
• May result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms, including fungi; if superinfection occurs, appropriate therapy should be initiated
• Careful monitoring, including slit-lamp microscopy and fluorescein staining when appropriate, may be necessary for some patients receiving ophthalmic ciprofloxacin therapy
• Discontinue therapy at the first appearance of a skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity reaction
• Do not touch dropper tip to any surface, as this may contaminate the solution
• Contact lenses should be removed before administration
• Not for injection into the eye

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Use with caution if the benefits outweigh the risk during pregnancy
• Lactation
  • The drug is distributed into milk; use with caution.