Ciloxan prevents bacteria replication, which decreases the chances of bacterial growth and infection spread.
Ciloxan is an ophthalmic drug, meaning it is administered to the eyes. It comes in eye drops (solution) or an eye ointment.
What Is Ciloxan Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ciloxan to treat bacterial eye infections associated with a swollen cornea and pink eye, depending on the bacteria strain.
Brand Name(s): Ciloxan
Drug Availability: Prescription
Administration Route: Ophthalmic
Therapeutic Classification: Antibiotic
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: N/A
Active Ingredient: Ciprofloxacin
Dosage Form(s): Solution, ointment
How to Take Ciloxan
Do not use Ciloxan while wearing contact lenses. Before applying the medication, wash your hands and avoid touching the tip of the applicator directly on the eye or other surfaces.
When administering Ciloxan for cornea inflammation, it is recommended to use three treatment intervals:
Day one of treatment: Within the first six hours, apply two drops every 15 minutes onto the affected eye. Then, apply two drops every 30 minutes to the affected eye for the remainder of the day. Day two: Apply two drops every hour to the affected eye. Days three to 14: Apply two drops every four hours on the affected eye. If your eye has not healed after 14 days, continue treatment.
When using Ciloxan for pink eye, pull your lower eyelid down:
Apply one to two drops on the lower eye area every two hours for two daysFor the next five days, apply one to two drops to the lower eye area every four hours
If you are using Ciloxan ointment, apply a half-inch ribbon to the conjunctival sac by pulling the lower eyelid down:
Three times a day for the first two daysTwo times a day for the next five days
Storage
Store Ciloxan at room temperature (between 68 F and 77 F) and away from light. Exposing Ciloxan to hot or cold temperatures may reduce how well the medication works. As always, keep the medicine in a safe place out of reach of children and pets.
What Are the Side Effects of Ciloxan?
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects associated with Ciloxan include:
Stinging in the eyeEye irritationEyelid crustingWhite crystal formation in the corner of the eyeBad taste in the mouth
Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider if these side effects become bothersome or do not subside.
Severe Side Effects
Call your healthcare provider immediately if you are experiencing any of these rare but severe side effects. If you feel these symptoms are life-threatening, call 911 or go to the nearest medical center.
Severe side effects might include:
Signs of an allergic reaction such as skin rash, itching, or difficulty breathing Change in eyesight, eye pain, or severe eye irritationEye or eyelid swellingNauseaYellowing of the eye
Dosage: How Much of Ciloxan Should I Take?
Modifications
Few studies have looked at whether Ciloxan can be used safely during pregnancy. Therefore, it is important to use the lowest effective dose. In addition, it is recommended to avoid breastfeeding for three to four hours after using ciprofloxacin.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
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 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.
Ciloxan is safe and effective to use in all ages, including newborns and infants.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, don’t panic. Instead, use the medication as soon as you remember, unless it is close to the time for your next dose. Then, skip the missed dose and return to your regular dosing frequency.
You should only take the recommended dose that your healthcare provider has instructed and do not take extra doses simultaneously.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Ciloxan?
While overdosing on ciprofloxacin tablets can cause kidney failure, using too much ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution has no toxic effects, even if the solution is accidentally consumed. If you apply too much to the affected eye, flush your eye with warm tap water.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Ciloxan?
Do not use Ciloxan if you are sensitive to other dosage forms of ciprofloxacin, such as tablets or intravenous injections. Also, Ciloxan is a fluoroquinolone, so it would be best to avoid it if you are allergic to quinolones.
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.
Common FDA-approved fluoroquinolone medications include:
LevofloxacinMoxeza, Avelox (moxifloxacin)Ocuflox (ofloxacin)Baxdela (delafloxacin)
What Other Medications Interact With Ciloxan?
Currently, Ciloxan does not have any known drug interactions. Therefore, it should be okay to take other medications with Ciloxan. However, avoid applying multiple eye medications before and after using Ciloxan without first checking with your healthcare provider.
What Medications Are Similar?
Ciloxan is a medication approved by the FDA to treat bacterial conjunctivitis. Examples of other ophthalmic medications that treat bacterial pink eye are:
Aktob (tobramycin)OfloxacinBesifloxacin
Ciloxan also treats bacterial keratitis. Other ophthalmic medications that treat corneal inflammation include:
OfloxacinZymar, Zymaxid (gatifloxacin)Fortified tobramycin-cefazolin5
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Ciloxan?
To stay healthy while taking Ciloxan, it is important to use the medication as directed by your healthcare provider. You must complete your prescribed regimen, even if you start to feel better. Keep in mind that if you stop using Ciloxan too soon, your eye infection can come back and may be more challenging to treat.
It will take some time to get used to applying eye drops. Setting an alarm to remind you to use your medication may be helpful. Maintain good hygiene to prevent you and others from being infected. Wash your hands often, do not touch your eyes, and avoid close contact with people around you.
