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.
Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) - 0.5% strength
Corneal ulcer - 1.5% strength
Levofloxacin (eye drop) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It kills bacteria by blocking certain proteins that they need to survive and reproduce.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Itching, pain, redness or swelling of eye or eyelid
watering of eyes
decreased vision
feeling of having something in the eye
headache
hoarseness
eye burning, dryness, itching, or pain
increased sensitivity of eyes to light
body aches or pain
congestion
dryness or soreness of throat
swelling of the eyelid
tender, swollen glands in neck
trouble in swallowing
voice changes
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Applied directly where the infection is
Causes fewer serious side effects than oral antibiotics
Safe to use in children 6 years and older
Has to be used multiple times a day
Can cause temporary eye irritation after applying
Might be difficult to administer for some people
Be sure to use levofloxacin (eye drop) for the full amount of time your healthcare provider told you to, even if you start to feel better. Stopping levofloxacin (eye drop) too soon can cause your infection to come back and be harder to treat.
Wash your hands before and after putting levofloxacin (eye drop) drops in your eyes. Don't touch the dropper tip with your eye, hands, or any other surface. This will help you avoid contaminating the solution.
After placing a drop of levofloxacin (eye drop) in your eye, close your eye and press one finger to the inner corner of your eye by the nose and press lightly for 1 minute. This helps make sure your eye absorbs the medication.
If you're using levofloxacin (eye drop) at the same time as other eye medications, wait 5 minutes between each drop to give your eyes time to absorb each medication. If you are using an eye ointment at the same time as this medication, use levofloxacin (eye drop) first, wait 5 minutes, and then apply your eye ointment.
Store levofloxacin (eye drop) at room temperature. Don't put it in the refrigerator or freezer because this could damage the medication.
Don't wear contacts while using levofloxacin (eye drop). It's usually best not to wear contacts while you have an eye infection, since this can affect how quickly your symptoms improve. Once your infection is gone, wear new contacts.
Levofloxacin (eye drop) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Allergy to fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Rarely, severe allergic reactions to levofloxacin (eye drop) have happened in people taking the oral version of this medication. These reactions include life-threatening problems like anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Call 911 if this happens, or if you notice hives, a rash, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing after using levofloxacin (eye drop). Call your healthcare provider right away if you experience worsening of your eye symptoms, such as pain or redness.
Risk factors: Using levofloxacin (eye drop) for too long
It's possible to get a new infection from fungi or bacteria that are resistant to levofloxacin (eye drop) after using this medication for a long time. Don't use this medication longer than prescribed. Let your provider know if you notice symptoms of a new infection or if the original symptoms don't get better after using levofloxacin (eye drop).
Levofloxacin (eye drop) 0.5% strength:
Days 1 and 2: Place 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 2 hours while you're awake, up to 8 times per day.
Days 3 through 7: Place 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 4 hours while you're awake, up to 4 times per day.
Levofloxacin (eye drop) 1.5% strength:
Days 1 through 3: Place 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 30 minutes to 2 hours while you're awake. Once you've gone to bed, you only need to apply the drops every 4 to 6 hours.
Day 4 through the end of treatment: Place 1 to 2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 1 to 4 hours while you're awake.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Allergy to fluoroquinolone antibiotics
Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) - 0.5% strength
Corneal ulcer - 1.5% strength
Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
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BPI LABS LLC. (2022). Levofloxacin solution/ drops [package insert]. DailyMed.
Gudgel, D. T. (2023). How to put in eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Porter, D. (2022). Antibiotic eye drops. American Academy of Ophthalmology.
SafeMedication. (n.d.). How to use eye drops.
Tubert, D. (2022). What is a corneal ulcer (keratitis)? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
U.S. Pharmacist. (2003). How to use eye drops properly.
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