In the U.S.—

• Antibacterial (ophthalmic)

Moxifloxacin (mox-ee-FLOX-a-sin) belongs to the family of medicines called antibiotics. Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution (eye drops) is used to treat infections of the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis. Ophthalmic moxifloxacin works by killing the bacteria in your eye.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S.)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For moxifloxacin eye drops, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to moxifloxacin or to other antibiotics. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Moxifloxacin eye drops have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have shown that moxifloxacin eye drops can cause problems with the fetus. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Moxifloxacin eye drops should only be given to pregnant women if needed.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether moxifloxacin eye drops pass into the breast milk. Most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast feeding during treatment. Be sure you discuss the risks and benefits of using this medicine with your doctor.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of moxifloxacin eye drops in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in older adults. This medicine should not be used in children younger than one year old.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. Moxifloxacin eye drops are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than they do in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

To use:

• First, wash your hands. Tilt the head back and pressing your finger gently on the skin just beneath the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a space. Drop the medicine into this space. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Do not blink.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eye properly, use another drop.
• Immediately after using the eye drops, wash your hands to remove any medicine that may be on them.
• To keep the medicine as germ free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye).

Dosing—

To keep the medicine as germ free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including your eye).

You should not wear your contact lenses if you have any signs or symptoms of an eye infection.

Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of moxifloxacin eye drops. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

For ophthalmic solution (eye drops) dosage form:

• For bacterial conjunctivitis (eye infections)
  • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—One drop in your infected eye(s) three times a day for 7 days.
  • Children up to 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips or tongue, shortness of breath, skin rash, tightness in chest, unusual tiredness or weakness or wheezing. These could be symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Incidence unknown
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness;  fast or irregular breathing;  itching;  skin rash;  swelling of eyes or eyelids ;  tightness in chest, and/or wheezing;  trouble in breathing 
  
  

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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More Common
  • Burning, dry or itching eyes;  change in vision;  decreased vision;  dry eye;  eye discharge;  itching of eye;  pain in eye;  redness of eye;  swelling of eye, eyelid, or inner lining of eyelid;  tearing 
  
  

• Less common
  • Body aches or pain;  congestion;  cough or hoarseness;  decreased hearing ;  dryness or soreness of throat;  fever or chills;  general body discomfort;  lower back or side pain;  painful or difficult urination;  rash;  rubbing or pulling of the ears (in children);  runny nose;  sore throat;  tender, swollen glands in neck;  trouble in swallowing;  voice changes;  vomiting and diarrhea (in infants)  
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.