Description
Ciprofloxacin eye drops and eye ointment are used to treat infections of the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. Ciprofloxacin eye drops is also used to treat corneal ulcers of the eye. Ciprofloxacin belongs to a group of medicines called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria that cause conjunctivitis.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Solution
- Ointment
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ciprofloxacin eye drops in children.
Use of ciprofloxacin eye ointment is not recommended in children up to 2 years of age.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of ciprofloxacin eye drops in the elderly.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Agomelatine
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Fezolinetant
- Flibanserin
- Levoketoconazole
- Lomitapide
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tizanidine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acalabrutinib
- Acarbose
- Acecainide
- Adagrasib
- Albiglutide
- Alfentanil
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Alosetron
- Alprazolam
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aprepitant
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Artemether
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Atorvastatin
- Avapritinib
- Azathioprine
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Bendamustine
- Benzhydrocodone
- Betamethasone
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brigatinib
- Budesonide
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aceclofenac
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Amlodipine
- Chloroquine
- Diclofenac
- Dutasteride
- Lanthanum Carbonate
- Phenytoin
- Probenecid
- Rifapentine
- Ropinirole
- Ropivacaine
- Sildenafil
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Caffeine
Proper Use
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. This medicine is not for long-term use.
To use the eye ointment:
- First, wash your hands.
- Tilt the head back and, pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space.
- Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A ½-inch strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
- To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using the eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.
To use the eye drops:
- First, wash your hands. Then tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
- If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eyes properly, repeat the directions with another drop.
- To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.
To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using the medicine for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared and if you feel better after the few doses. Do not miss any doses.
If you are using contact lenses, remove them first before using this medicine.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For ophthalmic dosage form (ointment):
- For bacterial conjunctivitis:
- Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Use a ½-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye 3 times a day for the first two days, then use a ½-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye 2 times a day for the next 5 days.
- Infants and children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For bacterial conjunctivitis:
- For ophthalmic dosage form (solution):
- For bacterial conjunctivitis:
- Adults and children—Put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye every 2 hours, while awake, for 2 days. Then, put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye every 4 hours, while awake, for the next 5 days.
- For corneal ulcers:
- Adults and children—
- Day 1: Put 2 drops in the affected eye every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours, and then 2 drops in the affected eye every 30 minutes for the rest of the day, while awake.
- Day 2: Put 2 drops in the affected eye every hour, while awake.
- Days 3 through 14: Put 2 drops in the affected eye every 4 hours, while awake.
- Adults and children—
- For bacterial conjunctivitis:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, apply it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Storage
Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
If your or your child's eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, red or swollen skin around the eye or eyelid, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
This medicine may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Blurred vision or other change in vision
- eye pain
- irritation (severe) or redness of the eye
- nausea
- skin rash, hives, or itching
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Burning or other discomfort of the eye
- crusting or crystals in corner of the eye
Less common
- Bad taste following use in the eye
- feeling of something in the eye
- itching of the eye
- redness of the lining of the eyelids
Rare
- Difficulty seeing at night
- dryness of the eye
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to light
- swelling of the eyelid
- tearing of the eye
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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