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" What is it used for?  Bacterial infections of the eye, eg conjunctivitis. Bacterial infections of the eyelids (blepharitis). Ulcers on the front part of the eye (corneal ulcers).   How does it work? Ciloxan eye drops and eye ointment both contain the active ingredient ciprofloxacin, which is a type of medicine called a quinolone antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.  Ciprofloxacin is effective against various types of bacteria, some of which tend to be resistant to other commonly used antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin works by killing the bacteria that are causing an eye infection. It does this by entering the bacterial cells and inhibiting a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This enzyme is involved in replicating and repairing the genetic material (DNA) of the bacteria. If this enzyme doesn&amp;#039;t work, the bacteria cannot reproduce or repair themselves and this kills them. Ciprofloxacin eye drops and eye ointment are administered into the eye to treat various types of bacterial eye infections. Administering them directly into the eye allows the ciprofloxacin to act locally on the bacteria that are causing the infection.    How do I use it?  Ciloxan eye drops  Follow this link for instructions on how to put in your eye drops.  Infections of the eyes or eyelids: The drops only need to be applied during the day. One or two drops should be put in the affected eye(s) four times a day. In severe infections, your doctor may ask you to use one or two drops every two hours during waking hours for the first two days and then reduce application to four times a day for the rest of the course. Corneal ulcers: The drops should be applied throughout the day and night as follows. On the first day, put two drops into the affected eye(s) every 15 minutes for the first six hours and then two drops into the affected eye(s) every 30 minutes for the remainder of the day. On the second day, put two drops in the affected eye every hour. On the third to the fourteenth day, put two drops in the affected eye(s) every four hours.   Ciloxan eye ointment  Follow this link for instructions on how to use your eye ointment. Infections of the eyes or eyelids: The ointment only needs to be used during the day. It should be applied into the affected eye(s) three times a day for two days, then twice a day for a further five days. Corneal ulcers: The ointment should be applied throughout the day and night as follows. Apply the ointment into the affected eye(s) every one to two hours for the first two days and then every four hours for a further 12 days.   If you forget a dose of Ciloxan drops or ointment, apply the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In this case, leave out the missed dose and continue with the prescribed routine as usual. Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Make sure you complete the course of treatment that your doctor has prescribed, even if your eye appears to be better. Stopping treatment early increases the chance that your symptoms will come back and that any bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic. Do not use Ciloxan for longer than prescribed by your doctor. Seek medical advice immediately if your symptoms get worse at any point during treatment, or if you think you have developed a new infection.    Warning!  This medicine must not be taken by mouth.  You should not wear contact lenses while you are using Ciloxan. When using the eye drops or ointment you should take care to not touch the tip of the dropper or tube to any surface, or to your eye, in order to avoid contaminating the medicine.  Ciloxan drops and ointment may cause your vision to blur temporarily after you have applied them into your eye. Do not drive or operate machinery until this has worn off.  If you get a skin rash or any other sign of allergic reaction, for example swelling of the face or throat, tingling, itching, shortness of breath or collapse, after using this medicine, you should stop using it and consult your doctor immediately. Ciloxan eye drops and ointment are sterile until opened. Any remaining medicine should be carefully disposed of four weeks after the first opening, as it is likely to be contaminated. You may find it helpful to write the date of first opening on the packet.    Not to be used in  People who are allergic to other quinolone-type antibiotics. Ciloxan eye ointment should not be used in babies under one year of age.  This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.   Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.  The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. As with all medicines it should not be used during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor, and only if the potential benefits outweigh any possible risk to the developing baby. Seek further medical advice from your doctor. It is not known if ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk after being used in the eye. When taken by mouth ciprofloxacin does pass into breast milk. This medicine should therefore be used with caution during breastfeeding and only if the potential benefits outweigh any possible risk to the nursing infant. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.  If your doctor does prescribe you Ciloxan eye drops while you are pregnant or breastfeeding you can minimise the amount of medicine that is absorbed into your bloodstream by pressing on your tear duct (the corner of the eye closest to the nose) while putting in the drops, and for a few minutes after.    Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Common (affect between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people)  Eye discomfort (eg stinging, burning or gritty feeling in the eye, irritation). Eye redness. White deposits of the medicine on the surface of the eye. This is normal &amp;amp;#65533; treatment can be continued. Unusual taste in the mouth.   Uncommon (affect between 1 and 10 out of every 1000 people)  Eye pain, itching, swelling. Watery or dry eye(s). Blurred vision. Increased sensitivity of the eye(s) to light. Formation of crust on the margin of eyelid. Swelling of the eyelid. Damage to the eye surface (cornea). Headache. Feeling sick.   Rare (affect between 1 and 10 out of every 10,000 people)  Inflammation of the surface of the eye (keratitis). Eye numbness. Double vision. Dizziness. Allergic reaction. Ear pain. Nasal inflammation, causing a blocked or runny nose. Skin inflammation (dermatitis). Diarrhoea. Abdominal pain.  The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? If you are using more than one type of eye drop you should administer them at least five minutes apart, to prevent the second drop washing away the first. Use eye gels or ointments last.  Ciprofloxacin eye drops and ointment are unlikely to be absorbed into the bloodstream in sufficient quantities to affect medicines that are being taken by mouth. However, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine, so they can check that the combination is safe.   Other medicines containing the same active ingredient There are no other eye preparations available in the UK that contain ciprofloxacin as the active ingredient.  Ciproxin tablets and suspension and generic ciprofloxacin tablets are available. These oral forms of ciprofloxacin may sometimes be used for more severe eye infections.   Last updated 02.09.2014 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/eyes/a6407/ciloxan-eye-drops-and-ointment-ciprofloxacin/>