Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

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
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
  • Gentamicin
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)

  • Summary of Gentamicin vs. Ciloxan

    Summary for Aminoglycoside antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Gentamicin is a topical antibiotic that treats bacterial skin infections, such as impetigo. It comes as a cream that's useful for wet, oozing, or greasy skin infections. There's also a topical ointment for infections on dry skin. Both forms are applied on the skin 3 to 4 times a day. Gentamicin can be used on adults and children over 1 year of age. Most people don't have many side effects when used as directed. But it's possible to have mild skin irritation, like redness and itching.

    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
    •Impetigo
    •Other bacterial skin infections
    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 skin infections, including severe acne or impetigo
    •Very few side effects, so it's safe for most people if used as directed
    •Might be a good option for people who are sensitive to Neosporin
    Cons
    •Applied many times a day
    •Can cause temporary skin irritation
    •Need a prescription from a healthcare professional
    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
    •Side effects aren't common. See "Other Side Effects."
    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
    •Risk of other skin infections
    •Allergic reaction
    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

Compare other Eye Infection drugs

Blephamide vs GentamicinGentamicin vs CiloxanGentamicin vs FlagylGentamicin vs IlotycinGentamicin vs IquixGentamicin vs OcufloxGentamicin vs PolytrimGentamicin vs TobrexGentamicin vs ZyvoxCiloxan vs TobrexFlagyl vs AdoxaFlagyl vs BactrimFlagyl vs CleocinFlagyl vs DificidFlagyl vs Gyne LotriminFlagyl vs KeflexFlagyl vs MalaroneFlagyl vs MinocyclineFlagyl vs XifaxanIlotycin vs CiloxanIlotycin vs OcufloxLevaquin vs FlagylMetrogel vs FlagylPolytrim vs BlephamidePolytrim vs CiloxanTalicia vs FlagylVigamox vs CiloxanZinplava vs FlagylZymaxid vs FlagylZyvox vs Flagyl
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.