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Polytrim vs. Besivance

Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is a combination antibiotic eye drop. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate bacterial eye infections, such as pink eye, in adults and children ages 2 months and older. The typical dose is 1 drop applied directly in the eye(s) every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days. Some of the more common side effects of this eye drop include symptoms of eye irritation, such as redness, stinging, and itching. Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) is available as a lower-cost generic.

• Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and eyelid

• Eye irritation (e.g., redness, burning, stinging, itching)

• For use in the eye only
• New infection
• Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)

Besivance is a prescription eye drop used to treat bacterial pink eye in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It belongs to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic class. The dosage is typically 1 drop three times per day for 7 days to treat the eye infection. Currently it's available only as a brand-name medication as a generic is not yet available. Side effects aren't common, but include eye redness.

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) in people ages 1 year and older

• Eye redness (2%)

• Only for use on the surface of the eye
• New or worsening eye infections