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Compare Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

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

Key takeaways

Gentak (gentamicin) and Ocuflox (ofloxacin) are both prescription antibiotics used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they belong to different classes of antibiotics. Gentak is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that works by blocking bacteria from making proteins necessary for their protective covering, while Ocuflox is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that kills bacteria by blocking proteins they need to grow and repair their DNA. Gentak is available as both eye drops and an eye ointment, whereas Ocuflox is only available as eye drops. Gentak is typically used 2 to 3 times a day for eye ointment and every 4 hours for eye drops, while Ocuflox has a more frequent dosing schedule, especially for corneal ulcers, which may require application every 30 minutes initially. Common side effects of Gentak include temporary eye irritation or burning, while Ocuflox can cause a temporary burning sensation or discomfort in the eye. Both medications require you to follow specific instructions to avoid contamination and ensure effectiveness.

  • Gentamicin
    Ofloxacin (Ocuflox)
  • Gentamicin
    Ofloxacin (Ocuflox)

  • Summary of Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    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

    Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) is an eye drop medication that's approved for use in people ages 1 year and older. It's a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that treats conjunctivitis (pink eye) and corneal ulcers caused by bacterial infections. Ofloxacin (Ocuflox) is typically used multiple times per day, depending on the reason you need the eye drops and what day of treatment you're on. Side effects aren't common but can include a temporary burning sensation or discomfort in the eye.

  • Indications of Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    Indications for
    •Impetigo
    •Other bacterial skin infections
    Indications for
    •Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
    •Corneal ulcer (keratitis) that's caused by a bacterial infection

  • Pros and Cons of Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    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
    •Directly treats where the bacterial infection is (in the eye)
    •Lower risk of corneal deposits than ciprofloxacin eye drops (Ciloxan)
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Must follow specific instructions and use multiple times a day
    •Can take days before you get symptom relief
    •Need to wake up in the middle of the night to use the eye drops for the first 2 days of treatment for corneal ulcers

  • Common Side Effects of Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    Common Side Effects for
    •Side effects aren't common. See "Other Side Effects."
    Common Side Effects for
    •Temporary burning sensation in the eye
    •Temporary eye discomfort

  • Warnings of Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of other skin infections
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •For use in the eye only
    •Risk of developing new infection
    •Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
    •Severe allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Gentamicin vs. Ocuflox

    Learn more about Gentamicin
    Learn more about Ofloxacin

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