In the U.S.—

In Canada—

• Antibacterial, ophthalmic

Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin (sip-roe-FLOX-a-sin) is used in the eye to treat bacterial infections of the eye (ophthalmic ointment and solution) and corneal ulcers of the eye (ophthalmic solution). Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin works by killing bacteria.

Ciprofloxacin ophthalmic preparation is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Ophthalmic
• Ophthalmic ointment (U.S. and Canada)
• Ophthalmic solution (eye drops) (U.S. and Canada)

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 ophthalmic ciprofloxacin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to ophthalmic or systemic ciprofloxacin (e.g., Cipro) or any related medicines, such as cinoxacin (e.g., Cinobac), norfloxacin (e.g., Chibroxin or Noroxin), ofloxacin (e.g., Floxin), or nalidixic acid (e.g., NegGram). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Ciprofloxacin has not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in animals have not shown that ciprofloxacin causes birth defects.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether ophthalmic ciprofloxin passes into breast milk. However, ciprofloxacin given by mouth does pass into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are using this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Children—Use is not recommended in infants and children up to 2 years of age (ophthalmic ointment) and 1 year of age (ophthalmic solution). In children older than 1 or 2 years of age, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

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. There is no specific information comparing use of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin in the elderly with use in other age groups.

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 using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be used in the eye.

To use the ophthalmic ointment:

• 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. Squeeze a thin strip of ointment into this space. A ½-inch strip of ointment is usually enough, unless you have been told by your doctor to use a different amount. Let go of the eyelid and gently close the eyes. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). After using the eye ointment, wipe the tip of the ointment tube with a clean tissue and keep the tube tightly closed.

To use the ophthalmic solution (eye drops):

• First, wash your hands. Then tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to form a pouch. Drop the medicine into the pouch and gently close the eyes. Do not blink. Keep the eyes closed for 1 or 2 minutes to allow the medicine to come into contact with the infection.
• If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eyes properly, use another drop.
• To keep the medicine as germ-free as possible, do not touch the applicator tip to any surface (including the eye). Also, keep the container tightly closed.

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses .

Dosing—

The dose of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of ophthalmic ciprofloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you use each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you use the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using ophthalmic ciprofloxacin.

• For ophthalmic ointment dosage form:
  • For bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 2 years of age and older—Use a ½-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye three times a day for the first two days, then use a ½-inch strip of eye ointment in each eye two times a day for the next five days.
    • Infants and children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For ophthalmic solution dosage form:
  • For bacterial conjunctivitis:
    • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Use 1 drop in each eye every two hours, while you are awake, for two days. Then use 1 drop in each eye every four hours, while you are awake, for the next five days. If you think you did not get the drop of medicine into your eyes properly, use another drop.
    • Infants and children up to 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For corneal ulcers:
    • Adults and children 1 year of age and older—On day one, use 2 drops in the affected eye every fifteen minutes for six hours, then 2 drops every thirty minutes for the rest of the day, while you are awake. On day two, use 2 drops every hour, while you are awake. On days three through fourteen, use 2 drops every four hours, while you are awake.
    • Infants and 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.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.

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.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Rare
  • Allergic reaction, such as skin rash, hives, or itching;  blurred vision or other change in vision;  eye pain;  irritation (severe) or redness of eye;  nausea 
  
  

Other 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 or other discomfort of eye;  crusting or crystals in corner of eye 
  
  

• Less common
  • Bad taste following use in the eye;  feeling of something in eye;  itching of eye;  redness of the lining of the eyelids 
  
  

• Rare
  • Dryness of eye;  increased sensitivity of eyes to light;  swelling of eyelid;  tearing of eye 
  
  

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