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Compare Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

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

Key takeaways

Erythromycin (Ilotycin) and Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they belong to different classes and have distinct uses and application methods. Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic available only as an ointment, typically applied up to six times a day, and is also used to prevent pink eye in newborns. In contrast, Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic available in both ointment and solution forms. The ointment is applied three times a day initially, then twice a day, while the solution requires more frequent dosing, especially for corneal ulcers. Ciprofloxacin can treat both pink eye and corneal ulcers, whereas erythromycin is mainly for bacterial eye infections and pink eye prevention in newborns. Both medications are generally well-tolerated but can cause temporary eye irritation and blurry vision. Ciprofloxacin is available as a generic solution, making it more affordable, while erythromycin is only available as a generic ointment. Neither medication should be used with contact lenses during treatment.

  • Erythromycin eye ointment
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
  • Erythromycin eye ointment
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)

  • Summary of Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Summary for Macrolide antibiotic
    Prescription only

    Erythromycin eye ointment is used to treat and prevent various bacterial eye infections, including pink eye in newborns. The typical dosage for this medication is to apply it in the affected eye(s) up to 6 times a day. Most people experience few to no side effects while using erythromycin eye ointment as directed.

    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 Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Indications for
    •Bacterial eye infection
    •To prevent pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns who might be exposed to certain sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) from their mothers during birth
    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 Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Pros and Const for Macrolide antibiotic
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    •Applied directly where the infection is (in the eye)
    •Can use in newborns
    •Generally well-tolerated with mild side effects
    Cons
    •Might need to be used up to 6 times a day
    •Only treats some bacterial eye infections; it doesn't treat fungal or viral infections
    •Harder to apply than eye drops
    •Can temporarily cause blurry vision after application
    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 Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Mild eye irritations
    •Eye redness
    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 Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Only use on eye surface
    •New or worsened eye infections
    •Allergic reaction to antibiotics
    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 Ilotycin vs. Ciloxan

    Learn more about Erythromycin eye ointment
    Learn more about Ciprofloxacin

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