Ciprofloxacin Ophthalmic Drops FAQs
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Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, including conjunctivitis (pink eye; infection of the membrane that covers the outside of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid) and corneal ulcers (infection and loss of tissue in the clear front part of the eye). Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is used to treat conjunctivitis. Ciprofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infection.
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Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin comes as a solution (liquid) to apply to the eyes. Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is usually used often, between once every 15 minutes to once every four hours while awake for seven to 14 days or longer. Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment is usually applied three times a day for two days and then twice a day for five days. Use ciprofloxacin ophthalmic at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ciprofloxacin ophthalmic exactly as directed. Do not use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You should expect your symptoms to improve during your treatment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not go away or get worse, or if you develop other problems with your eyes during your treatment.
Use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin too soon, your infection may not be completely cured and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
To instill the eye drops, follow these steps:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.
Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eyedrops and droppers must be kept clean.
While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.
Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper soa single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.
Close your eye for two to three minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.
Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.
Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.
If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least five minutes before instilling the next drop.
Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.
Wash your hands to remove any medication.
To apply the eye ointment, follow these instructions:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Avoid touching the tip of the tube against your eye or anything else; the tube tip must be kept clean.
Holding the tube between your thumb and forefinger, place it as near to your eyelid as possible without touching it.
Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.
Tilt your head backward slightly.
With your index finger, pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket.
Squeeze a 1/2-inch (1.25cm) ribbon of ointment into the pocket made by the lower eyelid.
Blink your eye slowly; then gently close your eye for one to two minutes.
With a tissue, wipe any excess ointment from the eyelids and lashes. With another clean tissue, wipe the tip of the tube clean.
Replace and tighten the cap right away.
Wash your hands to remove any medication.
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You should feel better after using ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops in a few days. If you do not experience any relief in two to three days, please reach out to your provider.1
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RedBox Rx prescribes a 5 mL bottle at 0.3%, which is a common strength and volume. For dosing, put one or two drops in the affected eye every two hours, while awake, for two days. Then for the next five days, put one or two drops in the affected eye every four hours, while awake.2
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You can buy ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops online with a prescription from RedBox Rx. Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops are not available over the counter.3 Start an easy, low-cost online consultation for pink eye to see if ciprofloxacin eye drops are right for you.
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Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops are $25 per treatment with a prescription from RedBox Rx. No insurance required.
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Before using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan), other quinolone antibiotics such as cinoxacin (Cinobac) (not available in the United States), enoxacin (Penetrex) (not available in the United States), gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram) (not available in the United States), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox) or sparfloxacin (Zagam); any other medications or benzalkonium chloride.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) or theophylline (Theo-Dur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any medical condition.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin, call your doctor.
You should know that your vision may be blurred during your treatment with ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment. Avoid rubbing your eyes even if your vision is blurred. Do not drive a car or operate machinery if you are unable to see clearly.
Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses. You should not wear contact lenses while you have symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or while you are applying eye drops or ointment.
You should know that bacterial conjunctivitis spreads easily. Wash your hands often, especially after you touch your eyes. When your infection goes away, you should wash or replace any eye makeup, contact lenses or other objects that touched your infected eye(s).
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Talk to your doctor about drinking coffee or other beverages containing caffeine while you are taking this medication.
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Place the missed dose in your eye(s) as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed one.
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Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Burning, red, itchy, crusty or irritated eyes.
Eye pain.
Feeling that something is in your eye.
Unpleasant taste.
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Rash.
Hives.
Itching.
Tingling.
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Hoarseness.
Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
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Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up, and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community.
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If you instill too many drops of the ophthalmic solution in your eye, wash your eye with plenty of warm tap water.
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Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else use your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution or ointment, call your doctor.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all the prescription and nonprescription (over the counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
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The brand name for ciprofloxacin ophthalmic drops is:
Ciloxan®
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View our telehealth and online pharmacy FAQs here.