Bacterial conjunctivitis is treated with besifloxacin ophthalmic (pinkeye; infection of the membrane that covers the outside of the eyeballs and the inside of the eyelids). The drug besifloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone drug class. It functions by eradicating the infection-causing germs.

Besifloxacin is available as an eye drop formulation (ophthalmic suspension) for use on the eyes. Typically, it is put on the injured eye or eyes three times a day, four to twelve hours apart, for seven days. Besifloxacin eye drops should be applied at around the same times each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Besifloxacin eye drops must be used exactly as prescribed. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Throughout your treatment, you should anticipate an improvement in your symptoms. If your symptoms persist or worsen during therapy or if you experience any new eye issues, call your doctor right immediately.

Even if you feel better, keep using the besifloxacin eye drops until the prescription is finished. Your illness could not be entirely treated if you stop using besifloxacin eye drops too soon or skip doses, and the bacteria might develop an antibiotic resistance.

Be careful not to touch your fingers, eyes, or any other surfaces with the bottle tip when using besifloxacin eye drops. Bacteria might enter the eye drops if the tip does come into contact with another surface. Using bacterially contaminated eye drops can seriously harm the eye and even result in blindness. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you believe your eye drops are tainted.

Use the eye drops as directed by these steps:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• Make sure the dropper tip is not broken or chipped by inspecting it.
• Eyedrops and dropper must be kept clean; avoid contacting the dropper tip to your eye or anything else.
• Pull your lower eyelid down to create a pocket with your index finger while cocking your head back.
• With your other hand, place the dropper as near to your eye as you can without touching it, tip down.
• Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
• Squeeze the dropper gently while looking up so that a single drop falls into the lower eyelid’s pocket. Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
• Tip your head down so that you are looking at the floor while closing your eyes for two to three minutes. Avoid blinking or squeezing your eyelids.
• Give the tear duct a slight squeeze with your finger.
• Use a tissue to remove any extra liquid from your face.
• Wait at least 5 minutes before administering the subsequent drop if you need to use more than one in the same eye.
• Replace and secure the dropper bottle’s cap. Never rinse or clean the dropper tip.
• To get rid of any medication, wash your hands.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using besifloxacin eye drops,

• Besifloxacin, any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone drug, including ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan, Cipro), gatifloxacin (Zymar), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin) (not available in the U.S.), and moxifloxacin, should be disclosed to your doctor and (Avelox, Vigamox), any other drugs, any of the components in besifloxacin eye drops, nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), and sparfloxacin (Zagam) (not sold in the United States). Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor of any medical conditions you now have or have ever had.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using besifloxacin eye drops.
• If you wear contacts, let your doctor know. When you have bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms or are using besifloxacin eye drops, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses.
• You should be aware that bacterial conjunctivitis is quickly contagious. Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching your eyes. When your infection clears up, you should wash or throw away any eye makeup, contact lenses, or other items that came into contact with your infected eye (s).

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

As soon as you remember, put the missed dose in your eye(s). If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from besifloxacin eye drops are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Inflamed, itchy, or reddened eyes
• Eye discomfort
• Fuzzy vision
• Headache

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Edoema of the hands, feet, ankles, lower legs, cheeks, neck, tongue, lips, and eyes

Other adverse effects from besifloxacin eye drops are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from light, excessive heat, and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. It’s likely that your prescription cannot be renewed. Call your doctor if, after using all of the besifloxacin eye drops, you continue to experience signs of infection.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.