Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Polytrim vs. Quixin

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

Key takeaways

Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim) and Quixin (levofloxacin) are both antibiotic eye drops used to treat bacterial eye infections, but they have some key differences. Polytrim is a combination of two antibiotics, polymyxin B and trimethoprim, and is used for mild-to-moderate infections in adults and children as young as 2 months. It needs to be applied every 3 hours, up to 6 times a day, for 7 to 10 days. On the other hand, Quixin contains levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, and is used for bacterial conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. Quixin has different dosing schedules depending on the strength: the 0.5% strength is used for pink eye and the 1.5% strength for corneal ulcers, with more frequent applications initially. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic. Both medications can cause temporary eye irritation, but Quixin may also cause headaches and changes in taste. Additionally, Polytrim is safe for use in younger children, whereas Quixin is recommended for children 6 years and older.

  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Levofloxacin (eye drop)
  • Polytrim (polymyxin B / trimethoprim)
    Levofloxacin (eye drop)

  • Summary of Polytrim vs. Quixin

    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

    Levofloxacin (eye drop) is an antibiotic eye drop that's used to treat pink eye (0.5% strength) or corneal ulcers (1.5% strength) caused by bacteria. You shouldn't use it for more than a few days to treat the infection. And you'll need to use it multiple times a day for it to work.

  • Indications of Polytrim vs. Quixin

    Indications for
    •Mild-to-moderate infections on the eye and eyelid
    Indications for
    •Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) - 0.5% strength
    •Corneal ulcer - 1.5% strength

  • Pros and Cons of Polytrim vs. Quixin

    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
    •Applied directly where the infection is
    •Causes fewer serious side effects than oral antibiotics
    •Safe to use in children 6 years and older
    Cons
    •Has to be used multiple times a day
    •Can cause temporary eye irritation after applying
    •Might be difficult to administer for some people

  • Common Side Effects of Polytrim vs. Quixin

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

    Levofloxacin (eye drop) 0.5% strength:

    •Temporary eye burning, pain, or discomfort (1-3%)
    •Temporary blurry or loss of vision (1-3%)
    •Headache (1-3%)

    Levofloxacin (eye drop) 1.5% strength:

    •Headache (8-10%)
    •Change in taste (8-10%)

  • Warnings of Polytrim vs. Quixin

    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
    •Severe allergic reactions
    •New infection if used too long

  • Prices with our coupons for Polytrim vs. Quixin

    Learn more about Polytrim
    Learn more about Levofloxacin

Compare other Eye Infection drugs

Gentamicin vs PolytrimIlotycin vs PolytrimPolytrim vs BlephamidePolytrim vs CiloxanPolytrim vs IquixPolytrim vs OcufloxPolytrim vs TobrexBlephamide vs GentamicinCiloxan vs TobrexGentamicin vs CiloxanGentamicin vs FlagylGentamicin vs IlotycinGentamicin vs IquixGentamicin vs OcufloxGentamicin vs TobrexGentamicin vs ZyvoxIlotycin vs CiloxanIlotycin vs OcufloxIlotycin vs TobrexTobradex vs OcufloxTobrex vs BesivanceTobrex vs IquixTobrex vs OcufloxTobrex vs TobradexTobrex vs ZyletVigamox vs CiloxanVigamox vs TobrexZyvox vs BactrimZyvox vs CleocinZyvox vs Daptomycin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.