Ofloxacin Ophthalmic

Conditions Treated

Ophthalmic ofloxacin ophthalmic is used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, including conjunctivitis (pink eye) and ulcers of the cornea. Ofloxacin is in a class of medications called quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacterial cells that cause infection.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Ofloxacin eye drops may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• eye burning or discomfort
• eye stinging or redness
• tearing eyes
• sensitivity to light
• blurred vision
• dry eyes

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• hives
• itching
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

Ofloxacin eye drops may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Ophthalmic ofloxacin comes as an solution (liquid) to instill in the eye. It is usually instilled in the affected eye(s) four or more times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use ofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Toinstill the eye drops, follow these steps:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Check the dropper tip to make sure that it is not chipped or cracked.

Avoid touching the dropper tip against your eye or anything else; eye drops and droppers must be kept clean.

While tilting your head back, pull down the lower lid of your eye with your index finger to form a pocket.

Hold the dropper (tip down) with the other hand, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.

Brace the remaining fingers of that hand against your face.

While looking up, gently squeeze the dropper so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid. Remove your index finger from the lower eyelid.

Close your eye for 2 to 3 minutes and tip your head down as though looking at the floor. Try not to blink or squeeze your eyelids.

Place a finger on the tear duct and apply gentle pressure.

Wipe any excess liquid from your face with a tissue.

If you are to use more than one drop in the same eye, wait at least 5 minutes before instilling the next drop.

Replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle. Do not wipe or rinse the dropper tip.

Wash your hands to remove any medication.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Talk to your doctor about drinking coffee and other beverages containing caffeine while using this medicine.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before using ofloxacin eye drops, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ofloxacin, benzalkonium chloride, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), cinoxacin (Cinobac), nalidixic acid (NegGram), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), and theophylline (Theo-Dur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. you should know that ofloxacin solution contains benzalkonium chloride, which can be absorbed by soft contact lenses. Remove your contact lenses before instilling ofloxacin and put them back in 10 minutes after you instill the medication.