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Compare Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Gentak (gentamicin) and Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they belong to different drug classes and have some key differences. Gentak is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by blocking bacteria from making proteins needed for their protective covering, while Ciloxan is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that stops bacteria from growing and repairing themselves. Gentak is available in both eye drop and ointment forms, whereas Ciloxan is available as a solution and an ointment, but the ointment is only available as a brand-name product. Gentak is typically used 2 to 3 times a day for eye ointment and every 4 hours for eye drops, while Ciloxan requires more frequent dosing, especially for corneal ulcers, which may need drops every 15 minutes initially. Both medications can cause temporary eye irritation, but Ciloxan may also cause a white substance to form on the eye when treating corneal ulcers. Neither medication should be used with contact lenses during treatment, and both require a prescription.

  • Gentamicin (Gentak)
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
  • Gentamicin (Gentak)
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)

  • Summary of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Summary for Aminoglycoside antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Gentamicin (Gentak) is a popular, affordable antibiotic for treating different types of bacterial eye infections. It comes as an eye drop and an eye ointment.

    Summary for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    Prescription only

    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.

  • Indications of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Indications for
    •Bacterial infections of the eye or eyelid
    Indications for
    •Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye that's caused by a bacterial infection)
    •Corneal ulcer (keratitis) that's caused by a bacterial infection - eye drops only

  • Pros and Cons of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Pros and Const for Aminoglycoside antibiotic
    Pros
    •Treats various bacterial eye and eyelid infections
    •The ointment form requires fewer doses per day compared to most alternatives.
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic form
    Cons
    •The ointment form tends to be messy and harder to put in the eye.
    •Can cause temporary eye irritation or burning
    Pros and Const for Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
    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

  • Common Side Effects of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for

    See Risks and Warnings.

    Common Side Effects for
    •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)

  • Warnings of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •New infection
    •Irritation or allergic reaction
    •Slower healing (ointment form)
    •Contamination (spreading germs and bacteria)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Only use on eye surface
    •Allergic reaction
    •Risk of new eye infection when used for a long time
    •White substance on eye surface (eye drops only)

  • Prices with our coupons for Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Learn more about Gentamicin
    Learn more about Ciprofloxacin

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