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.
