Besifloxacin
About Besifloxacin
Besifloxacin is a prescription antibiotic eye drop used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye. It works by stopping the growth of the bacteria causing the infection in your eye. This helps clear up redness, irritation, and discharge.
For the medicine to work properly, you must use it consistently at the same times every day as directed by your doctor. It is used directly in the affected eye, and completing the full course is essential even if your symptoms improve early. Practising strict hand hygiene and avoiding touching your eyes can greatly support your recovery.
Most people tolerate these eye drops well, but you may experience mild temporary eye redness or irritation after using them. If you develop severe eye pain, changes in your vision, or signs of a severe allergic reaction, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Before using Besifloxacin, tell your healthcare provider if you wear contact lenses or have any other eye conditions. Do not use this medicine if you have a known allergy to similar antibiotic eye drops.
Although these drops act locally in the eye and are unlikely to interact with oral medicines or alcohol, you should still inform your doctor about all treatments you are currently using. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for an elderly patient, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to ensure it is safe to use.
Uses of Besifloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Besifloxacin helps treat bacterial eye infections by stopping infection-causing bacteria from growing and surviving. Its key benefits include:
- Fast relief from discomfort: By targeting the root cause of the infection, Besifloxacin quickly reduces painful eye irritation, grittiness, and redness.
- Clears bacterial infections: It prevents the bacteria from multiplying, allowing your body's natural defences to clear the infection completely.
- Prevents complications: Completing the treatment helps prevent the infection from spreading to the other eye or causing deeper corneal damage.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
- Lie down and tilt your head backwards. Gently pull down your lower eyelid, create a pocket, and instil the number of drops as advised by your doctor. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes.
- Besifloxacin is for ophthalmic use only. Avoid touching the dropper's tip to avoid contamination.
Storage
Side Effects of Besifloxacin
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Temporary eye redness or irritation
- Mild eye pain or itchiness
- Briefly blurred vision right after applying the drops
- Dry or watery eyes
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Severe eye pain, burning, or swelling
- Changes in your vision or worsening eyesight
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as a severe skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
New or worsening discharge or crusting around the eye
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the suspension: Shake the bottle thoroughly before each use to ensure the suspension is uniform. Do not use if the liquid looks unusually discoloured or contains strange particles.
- Avoid tip contamination: Never let the dropper tip touch your eye, eyelid, fingers, or any other surface to keep the medicine sterile.
- Complete the full course: Always complete the entire treatment period prescribed by your doctor, even if your eye feels better after a few days, to prevent the infection from returning.
- Remove contacts first: Do not wear contact lenses while undergoing treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Watch for vision blur: Your vision may blur temporarily after putting the drops in. Avoid driving or operating machinery until your vision clears.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may require additional care when used with Besifloxacin:
- Other Eye Medicines: If you use other eye drops or eye ointments, leave an appropriate interval between products as advised by your doctor. Eye ointments are generally applied last to prevent them from interfering with the absorption of eye drops.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionBesifloxacin may cause interaction with alcohol. Therefore, avoid consuming alcohol while using Besifloxacin.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is unknown whether Besifloxacin is safe during pregnancy. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant; the doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before prescribing this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Besifloxacin passes into breastmilk. Consult your doctor before using Besifloxacin if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionBesifloxacin may cause temporary blurred vision. Therefore, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until your vision is clear.
Liver
safe if prescribedBesifloxacin is safe if prescribed by the doctor. Please consult the doctor if you have liver disease before using Besifloxacin.
Kidney
safe if prescribedBesifloxacin is safe if prescribed by the doctor. Please consult the doctor if you have kidney disease before using Besifloxacin.
Children
safe if prescribedBesifloxacin is not recommended for children below 1 year of age. For over 1 year, it should be used under the supervision of a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain strict hand hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially before and after touching your face or applying eye drops.
- Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes: This prevents the infection from worsening or spreading to your other eye.
- Do not wear contact lenses: Avoid wearing contact lenses until your infection is completely gone and your doctor says it is safe to wear them again.
- Discard contaminated eye products: Throw away any eye makeup, mascara, or contact lens solutions used just before or during the infection to prevent reinfection.
- Use clean towels and pillowcases: Change your pillowcases and towels daily, and do not share them with others to prevent spreading the infection.
Special Advise
- Besifloxacin should not be administered directly into the anterior chamber of the eye.
- Do not take Besifloxacin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
- Using Besifloxacin for prolonged periods may result in a new fungal eye infection (secondary infection). Do not use Besifloxacin for longer than the prescribed duration.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a condition in which the outer membrane of the eyeball becomes swollen and infected. There are typically three types of conjunctivitis: bacterial conjunctivitis, viral conjunctivitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. Common signs and symptoms include red-toned eyes with a thick discharge and intense itchiness. It is highly contagious and can spread from one person to another.
FAQs
Besifloxacin is used to treat bacterial eye infections, such as conjunctivitis (also known as pink eye), by targeting and eliminating the bacteria responsible for the infection. It helps reduce symptoms like redness, itching, swelling, and discharge, promoting faster healing and restoring eye comfort and clarity.
Besifloxacin contains Besifloxacin, which works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes required for the growth and survival of bacterial cells. This prevents the bacteria from repairing and multiplying. Thus, it helps treat infections.
Besifloxacin should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. If you take it in a dose greater than the recommended amount, it may cause unpleasant side effects. If you think your symptoms are not improving, please consult your doctor.
Do not take Besifloxacin on your own, as self-medication may lead to antibiotic resistance, in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections.
Yes, Besifloxacin may cause eye irritation. Besifloxacin contains a preservative, Benzalkonium chloride, which is known to cause eye irritation. If symptoms become severe, please consult your doctor immediately.
Inform your doctor before taking any medications while using Besifloxacin. If your doctor advises you to use other eye drops in combination with Besifloxacin, allow at least 10 minutes between the application of each eye drop.
Do not wear contact lenses while using Besifloxacin. Additionally, avoid prolonged use, as it may cause cataracts (clouding of the lens).
You are generally recommended to use Besifloxacin 3 times a day. However, it's essential to follow the specific instructions provided by your doctor, as they may adjust the dosage according to your condition.
No, using Besifloxacin for an extended period may lead to the overgrowth of non-susceptible (resistant) organisms, including fungi. If you develop a new fungal eye infection (secondary infection), discontinue use and consult your doctor. Therefore, do not use Besifloxacin for longer than the prescribed duration.
You should consult your doctor if you experience eye pain, increased redness or irritation, allergic reactions, no improvement within days of treatment. Additionally, please inform your doctor if you have an eye injury or are undergoing eye surgery.
Besifloxacin should be avoided if you are allergic to Besifloxacin, if you have recent eye injuries or surgeries or in infants below 1 year. However, consult your doctor before using Besifloxacin.
Yes, Besifloxacin can cause a burning sensation in the eyes when first used. This is usually temporary and should subside quickly. However, if the burning sensation persists, consult your doctor.
Yes, Besifloxacin is an antibiotic. It belongs to the class of ophthalmic medications called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
No, you do not need to refrigerate Besifloxacin. Store Besifloxacin at room temperature in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight. Do not freeze. Keep it out of reach of children.
The common side effects of Besifloxacin include eye irritation, redness, pain, and blurred vision. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you should not wear contact lenses while you have signs of a bacterial eye infection or during your treatment with Besifloxacin. Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to resume wearing your lenses.
No, Besifloxacin is specifically formulated to treat infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for viral, fungal, or allergic eye issues. Talk to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.
Since these are eye drops, very little medicine enters the rest of your body. However, you should still talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
If anyone, especially a child, accidentally swallows this medicine, contact a healthcare professional or a poison control centre immediately for guidance.
No, you should never share eye drops. Sharing the bottle can spread the infection from one person to another and contaminate the medicine.
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