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Levofloxacin (Ophthalmic)

Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.--


Category


Description

Ophthalmic levofloxacin ( (lee-voh-FLOKS-a-sin)) is used in the eye to treat bacterial infections of the eye . Ophthalmic levofloxacin works by killing bacteria.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:


Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For levofloxacin, the following should be considered:

Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to levofloxacin or any related medicines, such as cinoxacin (e.g., Cinobac), ciprofloxacin (e.g., Cipro or Ciloxan), norfloxacin (e.g., Chibroxin or Noroxin), ofloxacin (e.g., Floxin), or nalidixic acid (e.g., NegGram). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy--Levofloxacin has not been studied in pregnant women. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding--It is not known whether levofloxacin passes into breast milk. However, similar medicines do pass into breast milk. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Children--Use is not recommended in infants under 1 year of age. In children older than 1 year, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults.

Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of levofloxacin in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you using any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be used in the eye.

Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing--To use levofloxacin ophthalmic solution (eye drops):

To help clear up your eye infection completely, keep using ophthalmic levofloxacin for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms have disappeared. Do not miss any doses .Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of levofloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking levofloxacin .

Missed dose-- If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage--To store this medicine:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your eye infection does not improve within a few days, or if it becomes worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to light than they are normally. Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.


Side Effects of This Medicine

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


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Last updated: 24 January 2001