
ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) is an eye drop and eye ointment that can treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). The eye drops can also help treat corneal ulcers. This medication belongs to the drug class called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Although the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye drops can be used for people of all ages, the eye ointment is approved for people who are 2 years old and older. The typical dosing varies greatly depending on the eye condition you have, what day of treatment you're on, and which formulation you're using. Side effects are often temporary; they can include eye discomfort, an aftertaste in the mouth, and itchy eye.
What is Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)?
What is Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) used for?
How Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) works
Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) is a fluoroquinolone (or "quinolone") antibiotic. It works by blocking the bacteria's ability to grow and repair their genetic material (DNA). By stopping this process, ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) kills the bacteria.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Ciloxan |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
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
- Burning or discomfort in the eye
- Crusty eyelids
- Feeling that something is in your eye
- Itchy eye
- Eye redness
- Aftertaste in the mouth
- White crystals in the eye (eye drops for corneal ulcer only)
Less Common Side Effects
- Blurry vision
- Other changes in vision
- Corneal staining
- Swollen eyelids
- Dry eye
- Watery eye
- Eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Nausea
The following Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) 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:
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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Pros and cons of Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
Pros
- Available as eye drops and an eye ointment
- Eye drop is available as a lower-cost generic
- Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
Cons
- Must use multiple times a day
- Can cause temporary eye irritation
- Ointment can be messy to use and hard to put in the eye
Pharmacist tips for Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
- Make sure to follow the prescriber's instructions to safely use ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) or to properly give the medication to your child. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after you use the medication.
- Use ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) for as long as it's prescribed. Don't stop using the medication before you complete treatment, even if your eye gets better. Your eye infection might come back or become harder to treat if you stop using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) too soon.
- Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) can sometimes temporarily blur your vision. Don't drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects your vision and until you can see clearly.
- Don't let the tip of the bottle or tube touch the eye, eyelid, or other surfaces. Also don't touch the tip with your fingers. This can spread germs into the medication and cause serious harm to the eye, like infection, if you use contaminated medication.
- Don't use ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) while you're wearing contact lenses. Putting the medication on top of your contact lenses might cause your lenses to move or make your vision blurry. In general, it's best to not wear contact lenses when you have pink eye to prevent your infection from getting worse or your eye from getting even more irritated. Ask your prescriber about when it's safe to wear contacts again.
- Talk with your prescriber if your eye symptoms get worse after you start using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan). Your prescriber can check to make sure the medication is working and isn't causing side effects.
- Throw away and replace any eye or face makeup products and disposable contact lenses that you used while your eyes were infected.
- Store the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye drops at room temperature. You can keep the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye ointment at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
How to use the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye drops:
- Pull down your lower eyelid with one hand and hold the bottle upside down just above the eye with the other. Then, gently squeeze the bottle to get the number of drops you need in your eye. Close your eye and press a finger to the corner of your eye closest to your nose for a minute. This helps the medication stay in your eye and prevents it from leaking into the nose and mouth from your tear ducts.
- For parents or caregivers, ask a healthcare professional for tips about placing ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye drops into your child's eye.
How to apply the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye ointment:
- First, tilt your head forward. Then, pull down your lower eyelid with one hand and hold the tube of ointment with the other. Squeeze a half-inch ribbon of ointment in the space between your eyelid and eyeball. Look down before you close your eye for a few minutes to help the medication reach all the necessary parts of the eye.
- For parents or caregivers, review the prescriber's suggestions on how to best apply the ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye ointment into your child's eye.
Risks and warnings for Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) 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.
Only use on eye surface
Place ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) onto the surface of the affected eye(s) only. Don't put the medication in your mouth, nose, or other parts of your body.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factor: Allergy to other fluoroquinolone antibiotics
People who've take other forms of ciprofloxacin, such as the tablets, have experienced serious allergic reactions. These reactions can include trouble breathing; rash; and swelling of the face, mouth, or throat. Let your prescriber know if you've ever had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic before you start using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan). They can make sure that the medication is safe for you to use. Get emergency medical help if you have an allergic reaction at any time while you're using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan).
Risk of new eye infection when used for a long time
- Risk factor: Using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) longer than prescribed
Using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) for a long period of time can raise your risk of developing other eye infections, such as fungal eye infections. Let your prescriber know if you have eye pain or redness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, or watery discharge from your eye or if your symptoms don't improve after a couple days of treatment. These can be signs and symptoms of a new eye infection.
White substance on eye surface (eye drops only)
- Risk factor: Using ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) for corneal ulcer
In studies, some people who used ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) eye drops to treat corneal ulcers noticed a white substance over the area where the ulcer is. These white crystals typically appeared within 24 hours or up to a week after starting treatment with the eye drops. Often times, the white crystals don't affect the healing of the ulcer and they usually go away on their own. But let your prescriber know if the white substance causes any discomfort or worsens your vision.
Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) dosage
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 0.3% | 1 eye dropper | $21.22 | $21.22 |
| 5ml of 0.3% | 1 eye dropper | $16.64 | $16.64 |
| 2.5ml of 0.3% | 1 eye dropper | $10.57 | $10.57 |
Typical dosage for Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Eye drops: The typical dose is to 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 2 hours while you're awake during the first 2 days, and then 1 or 2 drops every 4 hours while you're awake for the next 5 days.
- Eye ointment (people 2 years and older): The typical dose is one-half inch ribbon of ointment in the affected eye(s) 3 times a day during the first 2 days, and then one-half inch ribbon of ointment 2 times a day for the next 5 days.
Corneal ulcer
- Eye drops: The typical dosing schedule is outlined below.
- Day 1: The typical dose is 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours, and then 2 drops every 30 minutes for the rest of the day.
- Day 2: The typical dose is 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every hour.
- Days 3 through 14: The typical dose is 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 4 hours, or as directed by your prescriber.
Interactions between Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) and other drugs
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
- Eliglustat
- Flibanserin
- 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
- Acetohexamide
- Alfentanil
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Alosetron
- Alprazolam
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Artemether
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Avapritinib
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bendamustine
- Benfluorex
- Benzhydrocodone
- Betamethasone
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brigatinib
- Budesonide
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Canagliflozin
- Ceritinib
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorpropamide
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Cilostazol
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Corticotropin
- Cortisone
- Cosyntropin
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Dabrafenib
- Dapagliflozin
- Dasatinib
- Deflazacort
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dexamethasone
- Dihydrocodeine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Droperidol
- Duloxetine
- Efavirenz
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Erlotinib
- Ertugliflozin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Exenatide
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Fluconazole
- Fludrocortisone
- Fluocortolone
- Fluoxetine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fostemsavir
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gliclazide
- Glimepiride
- Glipizide
- Gliquidone
- Glyburide
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibrutinib
- Ibutilide
- Ifosfamide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Insulin
- Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
- Insulin Bovine
- Insulin Degludec
- Insulin Detemir
- Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
- Insulin Glulisine
- Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Leflunomide
- Lemborexant
- Lenvatinib
- Levofloxacin
- Linagliptin
- Liraglutide
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Lumateperone
- Lumefantrine
- Lurasidone
- Lurbinectedin
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Meperidine
- Metformin
- Methadone
- Methylprednisolone
- Metronidazole
- Midazolam
- Mifepristone
- Miglitol
- Mirtazapine
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Nafarelin
- Naloxegol
- Nateglinide
- Nilotinib
- Nitisinone
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olaparib
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pemigatinib
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Pimavanserin
- Pioglitazone
- Pirfenidone
- Pitolisant
- Pomalidomide
- Ponesimod
- Porfimer
- Posaconazole
- Pramlintide
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Rasagiline
- Repaglinide
- Ribociclib
- Rimegepant
- Rosiglitazone
- Saxagliptin
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Sematilide
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Simeprevir
- Simvastatin
- Siponimod
- Sitagliptin
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sonidegib
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tasimelteon
- Tazemetostat
- Tedisamil
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Teriflunomide
- Tetrabenazine
- Theophylline
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Tolvaptan
- Toremifene
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Triamcinolone
- Triclabendazole
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Ubrogepant
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venetoclax
- Vildagliptin
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Zolpidem
- Zuclopenthixol
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
- Chloroquine
- Cyclosporine
- Diclofenac
- Dutasteride
- Fosphenytoin
- Itraconazole
- Lanthanum Carbonate
- Olanzapine
- Phenytoin
- Probenecid
- Rifapentine
- Ropinirole
- Ropivacaine
- Sildenafil
- Suvorexant
How much does Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) cost?
Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to quinolone antibiotics
What are alternatives to Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)?
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