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Compare Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

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

Key takeaways

Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) and Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) are both prescription antibiotic eye drops used to treat bacterial eye infections, such as pink eye. Polytrim is a combination of two antibiotics, polymyxin B and trimethoprim, which work together to kill bacteria by breaking their protective covering and stopping their growth. Ciloxan, on the other hand, is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that kills bacteria by blocking the chemicals they need to reproduce and repair themselves. Polytrim is typically used every 3 hours for 7 to 10 days, while Ciloxan has a more frequent dosing schedule, especially for corneal ulcers, requiring drops every 15 minutes initially. Polytrim is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas Ciloxan's ointment form is only available as a brand-name product. Both medications can cause temporary eye irritation, but Ciloxan may also cause a white substance to form on the cornea when treating ulcers. Neither medication should be used with contact lenses during treatment.

  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)
  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan)

  • Summary of Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Summary for Antibiotic
    Prescription only

    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.

    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 Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Indications for
    •Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and 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 Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Pros and Const for Antibiotic
    Pros
    •Can treat a variety of eye infections in adults and children
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Applied directly on the eyes, so it has less side effects than oral antibiotics
    Cons
    •Has to be used every 3 hours for at least a week
    •Can cause temporary eye irritation after applying
    •Can make your eyes more sensitive to light
    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 Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •Eye irritation (e.g., redness, burning, stinging, itching)
    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 Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Common Side Effects for
    •For use in the eye only
    •New infection
    •Damage to contact lenses (when used in the eye)
    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 Polytrim vs. Ciloxan

    Learn more about Polytrim
    Learn more about Ciprofloxacin

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