What is Ofloxacin Eye Drops used for: Side effects & Precautions

What is ofloxacin eye drop used for?

Ofloxacin eye drop medication is used in the treatment of bacterial infections, when you are taking Ofloxacin eye drop by the mouth these include plague, pneumonia, cellulitis, and some other types of infectious diarrhea and also used for superficial bacterial infection of the eye, and a hole in the eardrum is present. The ofloxacin eye drop is a quinolone antibiotic and belongs to a class of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. Ofloxacin eye drop stops the growth of bacteria. Ofloxacin eye drops medication sold under the brand name Ocuflox.

In 1980, it was patented and in 1985, was approved for medical use. The World Health Organization (WHO) created an Essential Medicines List, the Ofloxacin eye drop is one of them available in the list. With larger than one million prescriptions, Ofloxacin eye drop was the 186th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States.

How to use ofloxacin eye drops?

Ofloxacin eye drops available in the form of a liquid to instill in the eye. If you want to use it exactly as directed on your prescription label carefully and always ask your healthcare professionals to explain all the parts you do not understand. Don’t try to use it more or less than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

How to instill the Ofloxacin eye drops?

Firstly, by using warm water wash your hands very gently.
Ensure that the tip of the dropper is not chipped or cracked.
Against your eye, try to avoid touching the dropper tip or anything else. Always remember that eye drops and droppers must be clean.
To form a pocket with your index finger pull down the lower lid of your eye, while tilting your head back.
With the help of the other hand hold the dropper, as close to the eye as possible without touching it.
Against your face, brace the remaining fingers of that hand.
Squeeze the dropper, when you’re looking up so that a single drop falls into the pocket made by the lower eyelid.
And then from the lower eyelid remove your index finger.
After that, as you look at the floor, close your eyes for 2 to 3 minutes. And try to not squeeze or blink your eyelids.
Apply gentle pressure by placing a finger on the tear duct.
With a tissue, from your face, wipe any excess liquid.
Wait at least 5 minutes if you want to use more than one drop in the same eye before instilling the next drop.
Without wiping or rinsing the dropper tip, replace and tighten the cap on the dropper bottle.
In the end, wash your hands again to remove the medication.

If you want to get the most benefits from the ofloxacin eye drops then use this medication regularly in order. And always use it at the same time each day. Until consulting your health care professional won’t try to stop using this medication.

If you are using this medication and you are feeling well then continue to use ofloxacin eye drops don’t try to stop using it without consulting your health care professional. And there are some other eye drops also available like ketorolac Eye Drops that you can use in your eyes for other diseases.

What are other uses for ofloxacin eye drops?

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the prescribed use of the ofloxacin eye drop medication.

What is the dosage for ofloxacin eye drops?

These medication dosages will be different for different patients. If you want to use it exactly as directed on your prescription label carefully and always ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain all the parts you do not understand. Don’t try to use it more or less than prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

All the things like the length of time of medicine, the strength of the medicine, and the number of doses totally depend upon the medical problem for which you are using Ofloxacin eye drop.

For ophthalmic (eye drops) dosage form:

If you are using this for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis because of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, Haemophilus influenzae then the dosage is:

An adult or children 1 year of age and older: On the first or second day, you should instill 1 to 2 drops of Ofloxacin eye drop in the affected eye(s) after every 2 to 4 hours.
And then from three to seven days, you should instill 1 to 2 drops of Ofloxacin eye drop in the affected eye(s) four times a day.
Infants up to 1 year of age: Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain its dosages and time period.

If you are using this for the treatment of bacterial corneal ulcers because of S epidermidis, S pneumoniae, P aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Propionibacterium acnes then the dosage is:

An adult or children 1 year of age and older: On the first or second day, you should instill 1 to 2 drops of Ofloxacin eye drop in the affected eye(s) after every 30 minutes when you are awake and after retiring about 4 and 6 hours.
Then from three to seven days, you should instill 1 to 2 drops of Ofloxacin eye drop in the affected eye(s) every hour while awake.
And then from seven to nine days through treatment completion: You should instill 1 to 2 drops of Ofloxacin eye drop in the affected eye(s) four times a day.
Infants up to 1 year of age: Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain its dosages and time period.

What special dietary plans should I follow?

Ask your doctor or health care professional for instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity. Or you can continue your normal diet if your doctor or health care professional didn’t give you any instructions.

What are the side effects of ofloxacin eye drops on humans?

Don’t use it for a longer time period than prescribed, but in case, If you’re using this medication for prolonged or repeated long periods then it may result in a new fungal eye infection. If you notice or feel any of the new or worsening symptoms then tell your doctor or pharmacist.

People that are using Ofloxacin eye drop medication have some serious side effects because this medication only uses serious side effects. Don’t use this medication without your doctor’s prescription, Doctors will suggest this medication by judging the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. If you have any irritation, burning then firstly stop using it and talk to your doctor.

Some common side effects of using Ofloxacin eye drops:

You’ll feel in your eye burning or discomfort
You’ll feel in your eye-stinging or redness
Tearing will come out from your eyes.
Your eyes will be very sensitive towards the light.
You’ll feel blurred vision for some time.
You’ll feel dryness in your eyes.

Some serious side effects of using Ofloxacin eye drops:

You’ll feel shortness of breath or swallowing.
You’ll feel swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
You’ll feel skin rash.
You’ll feel hives (a rash of rounds on the skin).
You’ll feel itchy.

What special precautions should I follow?

Some special precaution of Ofloxacin eye drop you should have followed before using this medication:

If you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant and using the Ofloxacin eye drop. Ask your doctor about effective methods of birth control, if you are taking this medication and if you become pregnant then tell your doctor and pharmacist while you are taking this medicine.
Before installing Ofloxacin eye drops remove your contact lenses, because the solution contains benzalkonium chloride, and this solution can be absorbed by soft contact lenses and it would be harmful to you. After instilling an Ofloxacin eye drop you can put your contact lenses in your eyes after 10 minutes of instilling the medication.
If you have any medical history or allergic to Ofloxacin eye drops such as ciprOfloxacin (Cipro), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), cinoxacin (Cinobac), or any other medications then tell your doctor and pharmacist.
If you are taking some prescription and nonprescription medications, especially other vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products, or planning to take them, then tell your doctor and pharmacist.

If I forget a dose, what should I do?

In case, If you forgot to take the medicine and the time is near your next dose then we suggest you please skip that dose and take it at the next dose time. We suggest you don’t try to take the medicine dosage at irregular times. It could make your medicine dosage double and it would be harmful to you.

What about the storage and disposal of this medication?

Store this medication at room temperature and keep them away from the light or excessive heat and moisture. And put them away from the reach of the pets and children, we suggest you put that medicine in a tightly closed container in which they came. Ensure that the liquid form of this product doesn’t freeze and try to protect it from the light also.

You should have disposed of all the medication that is unneeded in a special way to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them. You can not flush them or pour them into the drain. You can return them to the pharmacist or the best way is that you can take back the program for returning your medicines.

What other information should I know?

Don’t miss any of your doctor and laboratory appointments because your doctor will check the response of this medicine then he/she will tell you the update or other pieces of information.

It is very important to tell your pharmacist about all your prescriptions and non-prescription you were taking and make a list of them and carry the list all the time. It would help you in case of emergencies. When you meet or visit your doctor you should bring the list. It’s important to your doctor.

And ensure that no one is taking your medicine or no one has them. And whenever you meet your pharmacist or doctor ask them any of the questions you have about refilling your prescription.

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