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Besivance Coupon - Besivance 5ml of 0.6% eye dropper

Besivance

besifloxacin
Used for Eye Infection
Used for Eye Infection

Besivance is a prescription eye drop used to treat bacterial pink eye in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It belongs to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic class. The dosage is typically 1 drop three times per day for 7 days to treat the eye infection. Currently it's available only as a brand-name medication as a generic is not yet available. Side effects aren't common, but include eye redness.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Daisy Chau, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 30, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Besivance (besifloxacin)?

What is Besivance (besifloxacin) used for?

  • Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) in people ages 1 year and older

How Besivance (besifloxacin) works

Besivance (besifloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It works by blocking certain proteins that bacteria use to grow, repair their genetic material (DNA), and survive. By blocking this process, Besivance (besifloxacin) kills bacteria.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsBesivance
Drug ClassFluoroquinolone antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$270.66(save 11.43%)
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$239.73
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What are the side effects of Besivance (besifloxacin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Eye redness (2%)

Other Side Effects

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye pain
  • Eye irritation
  • Eye itching
  • Headache

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

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:

Less common

Blurred vision

eye pain

itching of the eye

red, sore eyes

swelling of the eye or eyelid

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:

Less common

Headache

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Besivance (besifloxacin)

thumbs-up

Pros

Applied directly to the eye to target the infection

Side effects aren't common and are usually mild

Can be used in children as young as 1 year old

thumbs-down

Cons

Can cause temporary eye redness or irritation

Can take days before you get symptom relief

No lower-cost generic is available

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Besivance (besifloxacin)

pharmacist

  • Make sure to use Besivance (besifloxacin) for the full amount of time your prescriber told you to, even if your eye starts to get better. Stopping the antibiotic eye drop too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat.

    • Wash your hands before and after putting Besivance (besifloxacin) drops in your eyes. Don't let the dropper tip touch your eye, fingers, or any other surface. This will help to avoid contaminating the solution.

      • If you need to use other eye drop medications in addition to Besivance (besifloxacin), wait 5 minutes between using each drop to give your eyes time to fully absorb each medication.

        • In general, it's best to avoid wearing contact lenses if you have an eye infection to prevent worsening the infection or further irritating your eye. Your prescriber will tell you when it's safe to wear contacts again.

          • Store the Besivance (besifloxacin) bottle at room temperature. Don't put it in the refrigerator or freezer.

            How to use Besivance (besifloxacin):

            • Shake the bottle once to mix the medication.

              • Tilt your head backward and look up. Gently pull your lower eyelid down to form a small pocket. Then, squeeze one drop of medication into this pocket.

                • Close your eye while pressing a finger against the inside corner of your eye for about one minute to help keep the medication in your eye.

                  faqs

                  Frequently asked questions about Besivance (besifloxacin)

                  Is Besivance (besifloxacin) a steroid?
                  No, Besivance (besifloxacin) doesn't contain any steroids; it's a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that kills bacteria that are causing an eye infection. If serious, your prescriber might also recommend a steroid medication to help treat signs of eye inflammation (e.g., redness, itching, swelling).
                  Is Besivance (besifloxacin) an antibiotic?
                  Yes, Besivance (besifloxacin) is an antibiotic eye drop. It's used to treat pink eye that is caused by bacterial infections.
                  Is moxifloxacin the same as Besivance (besifloxacin)?
                  Both moxifloxacin (Vigamox) and Besivance (besifloxacin) are fluoroquinolone antibiotic eye drops. They're to treat pink eye and work just as well as each other and have similar side effects. Both are typically taken 3 times per day. One difference is that moxifloxacin (Vigamox) is approved for use in people of all ages, including infants, while Besivance (besifloxacin) is approved for use in adults and children 1 year and older. Another difference is that moxifloxacin (Vigamox) targets slightly different bacteria compared to Besivance (besifloxacin). Discuss with your prescriber if you have any questions comparing the two medications.
                  Are Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) and Besivance (besifloxacin) the same?
                  No, they're completely different medications. Both Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) and Besivance (besifloxacin) are antibiotic eye drops, but they contain different types of antibiotics. While both medications are used to treat pink eye, Polytrim is also used for other types of eye and eyelid infections. Besivance (besifloxacin) tends to be more convenient because it's used three times per day for 7 days whereas Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is used every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days. Discuss with your prescriber if you have any questions comparing the two medications.
                  Can I use Besivance (besifloxacin) for a stye?
                  Besivance (besifloxacin) is only FDA-approved to treat pink eye, a bacterial infection of the lining that covers the inside of your eyelid and the whites of the eye. Styes are different because they're often caused by skin bacteria that get trapped along the eyelid. Styes are typically treated with warm compresses or eyelid scrubs before using eye antibiotics. Don't use Besivance (besifloxacin) for a stye unless a healthcare professional specifically prescribed it to you for this purpose.
                  Can Besivance (besifloxacin) be used for ear infections?
                  Speak to a healthcare professional (HCP) for the most appropriate treatment if you have an ear infection. Besivance (besifloxacin) eye drops are FDA-approved to be used in the eye to treat pink eye only. But sometimes, HCPs prescribe certain antibiotic eye drops off label for an ear infection. This might be because some antibiotic eye drops are generally at a lower cost than ear drops. Keep in mind that it's not safe to put ear drops in the eyes. Make sure to carefully follow your HCP's instructions on how to use Besivance (besifloxacin) for your infection.
                  Can Besivance (besifloxacin) cause diarrhea?
                  No, Besivance (besifloxacin) doesn't appear to cause diarrhea. Besivance (besifloxacin) is placed directly into your eye(s), so not much of the medication gets absorbed into the rest of your body. If you're experiencing unexplained diarrhea, contact your prescriber.
                  Does Besivance (besifloxacin) expire?
                  Yes, Besivance (besifloxacin) can expire. There should be an expiration date that's written on the medication box or bottle. Don't use Besivance (besifloxacin) past the written expiration date because it might not work well to help treat your eye infection.
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                  What are the risks and warnings for Besivance (besifloxacin)?

                  Besivance (besifloxacin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                  risk-warning

                  Only for use on the surface of the eye

                  Besivance (besifloxacin) is an eye drop medication that should only be placed on the surface of the eye. The medication shouldn't be injected into the eye or used in other places on your body, unless a healthcare provider specifically said it was safe to do so.

                  risk-warning

                  New or worsening eye infections

                  • Risk factor: Using Besivance (besifloxacin) longer than prescribed

                    Using Besivance (besifloxacin) for too long can allow any bacteria, fungi, or other germs that the medication can't get rid of to infect the eye. Contact your primary care provider for follow-up if your eye infection isn't improving. You might need additional testing and treatment.

                    dosage

                    Besivance (besifloxacin) dosage forms

                    The average cost for 1 eye dropper of 5ml of 0.6% of Besivance (besifloxacin) is $239.73 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 11.43% off the average retail price of $270.66.
                    eye dropper
                    Eye dropper
                    DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                    5ml of 0.6%1 eye dropper$239.73$239.73

                    Typical dosing for Besivance (besifloxacin)

                    The typical dose is to put 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times per day (4 to 12 hours apart) for 7 days.

                    interactions

                    Interactions between Besivance (besifloxacin) and other drugs

                    Besivance (besifloxacin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Besivance (besifloxacin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                    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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

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                    How much does Besivance (besifloxacin) cost?

                    To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
                    Besivance (brand)
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                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Besivance (besifloxacin)?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Besivance (besifloxacin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Besivance (besifloxacin)
                    Used for:

                    • Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) in people ages 1 year and older

                    $239.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Levofloxacin (eye drop)
                    Used for:

                    • Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) - 0.5% strength

                    • Corneal ulcer - 1.5% strength

                    $56.45 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                    Moxifloxacin (Vigamox)
                    Used for:
                    $10.89 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                    Besivance (besifloxacin) images

                    This medicine is Colorless Eye Dropper.

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                    References

                    Best studies we found

                    American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2024). Tips for administering eye drops.

                    American Optometric Association. (n.d.). Conjunctivitis (pink eye).

                    Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. (2022). Besivance- besifloxacin suspension [package insert]. DailyMed.

                    View All References (3)

                    McDonald, M. B., et al. (2009). Efficacy and safety of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% compared with moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% for treating bacterial conjunctivitis. Ophthalmology.

                    SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.

                    Valentini, C., et al. (2021). Price differences between otic and ophthalmic drops. Otology & Neurotology.

                    GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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