Ciprofloxacin (Ophthalmic)

Brand Names : Ciloxan

Proper Use of This Medicine

To use the ophthalmic 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 1/2-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 ophthalmic solution (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, use 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 ophthalmic ciprofloxacin for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing - The dose of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin 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 ophthalmic ciprofloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin .

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
  • For bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 2 years of age and older - Use a 1/2-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye three times a day for the first two days, then use a 1/2-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye two times a day for the next five days.
    • Infants and children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For ophthalmic solution dosage form:
  • For bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 1 year of age and older - Use 1 drop in each eye every two hours, while you are awake, for two days. Then use 1 drop in each eye every four hours, while you are awake, for the next five days. If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eyes properly, use another drop.
    • Infants and children up to 1 year of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For corneal ulcers:
    • Adults and children 1 year of age and older - On day one, use 2 drops in the affected eye every fifteen minutes for six hours, then 2 drops every thirty minutes for the rest of the day, while you are awake. On day two, use 2 drops every hour, while you are awake. On days three through fourteen, use 2 drops every four hours, while you are awake.
    • Infants and children up to 1 year of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, use 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 - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.