Conjunctivitis (pinkeye; infection of the membrane covering the exterior of the eyeball and the inside of the eyelid) and corneal ulcers are among the bacterial eye infections that are treated with ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution (infection and loss of tissue in the clear front part of the eye). A topical solution containing ciprofloxacin is used to treat conjunctivitis. Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics. It functions by eradicating the infection-causing germs.

Ophthalmic ciprofloxacin is available as an eye ointment and solution (liquid). When awake for 7 to 14 days or longer, ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution is typically used frequently, anywhere from once every 15 minutes to once every 4 hours. Typically, ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment is administered twice daily for five days after being applied three times daily for two days. Use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin daily at roughly the same periods. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. When instructed, use ophthalmic ciprofloxacin. 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, continue taking ophthalmic ciprofloxacin until the prescription is finished. You risk not fully recovering from your infection and developing antibiotic-resistant germs if you stop using ocular ciprofloxacin too soon.

Follow these steps to administer the eye drops:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• Make sure the dropper tip is not broken or chipped by inspecting it.
• Eye drops and droppers 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.
• Using 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.
• Look up and gently squeeze the dropper so that one drop falls into the lower eyelid’s pocket. You should take your index finger off the lower eyelid.
• Tip your head downward and close your eyes for two to three minutes, pretending to be looking at the floor. Make an effort not to blink or twitch your eyelids.
• Apply little pressure with a finger on the tear duct.
• Use a tissue and wipe any extra liquid from your face.
• Wait at least five minutes before applying the next drop to an eye if you plan to use more than one drop there.
• The dropper bottle’s cap should be replaced and tightened. Avoid cleaning or rinsing the dropper tip.
• To get any medication off your hands, wash them.

Follow these directions to apply the eye ointment:

• Use soap and water to thoroughly wash your hands.
• The tube tip needs to be maintained clean, so avoid contacting it to your eye or anything else.
• Place the tube as close to your eyelid as you can without touching it while holding it between your thumb and forefinger.
• Place the hand’s remaining fingers to your face.
• Your head should be slightly cocked back.
• Pull the lower eyelid down to form a pocket with your index finger.
• In the pocket created by the lower eyelid, insert a ribbon of ointment measuring 1/2 inch (1.25 centimetre). Your index finger should be taken off the lower eyelid.
• Slowly blink your eye before gently closing it for a minute or two.
• Remove any extra ointment from the eyes and lashes using a tissue. Wipe the tube tip clean with a different, clean tissue.
• Immediately replace and tighten the cap.
• 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 ophthalmic ciprofloxacin,

• Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan), other quinolone antibiotics such gatifloxacin (Tequin, Zymar), enoxacin (Penetrex), cinoxacin (Cinobac), or levofloxacin (Cipro, Ciloxan) (Levaquin, Quixin, Iquix), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin, Ocuflox), sparfloxacin (Zagam), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox, Vigamox), nalidixic acid (NegGram) (not sold in the United States), any other drugs, or benzalkonium chloride.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Incorporate any of the following: anticoagulants (also known as “blood thinners”) like theophylline, cyclosporine, and warfarin (Theo-Dur). 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 taking ophthalmic ciprofloxacin.
• You should be aware that when receiving ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment treatment, your eyesight may become blurry. Even if your eyesight is blurry, refrain from rubbing your eyes. If you are unable to see well, avoid using machinery or a car.
• If you wear contact lenses, let your doctor know. When you have bacterial conjunctivitis symptoms or are using eye drops or ointment, you shouldn’t wear contact lenses.
• You ought to be aware that bacterial conjunctivitis is quickly contagious. Regularly wash your hands, especially after touching your eyes. You should wash or throw away any eye makeup, contact lenses, or other items that came into contact with your infected eye once the infection has cleared up (s).

If you plan to consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages while taking this medicine, see your doctor first.

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.

Ciprofloxacin for ophthalmology may have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Irritable, crusty, red, stinging, itchy, or burning eyes
• Eye discomfort
• Feeling as though there is something in your eye
• Unfavourable flavour

Some adverse effects may be severe. Make a quick call to your doctor if you encounter any of the following signs:

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

Further negative effects from ophthalmic ciprofloxacin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact 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. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although 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

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 Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Wash your eye out thoroughly with plenty of warm tap water if you accidentally put too many drops of the ophthalmic solution in it.

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 the ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution or ointment, 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.