Ciprofloxacin eye preparations

About ciprofloxacin eye preparations

Ciprofloxacin eye drops and ointment are used to treat bacterial eye infections. They work by helping to kill the germs (bacteria) which are causing the infection. Eye infections are a common cause of conjunctivitis. In conjunctivitis, your eye becomes inflamed, feels gritty, and may water more than usual. The white of your eye may look red, and your eyelids may become swollen and stuck together with a discharge when you wake up in the morning. Only one eye may be infected to begin with, but it often spreads to both eyes. Most cases of conjuntivitis infecciosa clear within a week or so without treatment. For more severe infections, or for infections which do not clear on their own, an antibiotic eye drop such as ciprofloxacin is used.

Ciprofloxacin is also prescribed to treat corneal ulcers. A corneal ulcer is one which forms on the delicate layer covering the surface of your eye.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using ciprofloxacin it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si estás embarazada o amamantando.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to ciprofloxacin or any other antibiotic, or to any other eye drops.

• Si está tomando o usando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about the drops or ointment, and a full list of possible side-effects. If your eyes have an obvious discharge or 'crust', it can help if you bathe them with cool clean water before using ciprofloxacin.

• If you have a corneal ulcer, you will need to use ciprofloxacin eye drops regularly, day and night, for the first two days. Your doctor will tell you how often to use them - this is often every 15 minutes to begin with, then every 30 minutes, then every hour. On day three, it is likely that you will be able to reduce the frequency to every four hours. Try not to miss putting the drops in but, if you do forget, put them in as soon as you remember.

• For other infections, use the drops regularly exactly as your doctor tells you to. If the infection is severe, this is likely to be every two hours for the first two days. (Just use the drops while you are awake - you do not need to wake yourself up during the night to put them in.) On day three, reduce the frequency down to four times a day.

• Ciprofloxacin eye ointment is frequently prescribed to use at night. If you are using eye drops during the day, you are unlikely to need to use the ointment during the day as well. Sometimes only the eye ointment is prescribed, in which case you may be asked to use it 3-4 times during the day, as well as at bedtime.

• If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, speak again with your doctor.

• When you first put the drops or ointment into your eye, it may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but make sure you can see clearly again before you drive and before using machines or tools.

• Tenga cuidado de no propagar la infección de un ojo al otro, y a otros miembros de su familia. Lavarse las manos regularmente (particularmente después de tocarse los ojos) y no compartir toallas o almohadas ayudará a prevenir que la infección se propague.

• If the tip of the tube/bottle touches your eye(s) when putting the drops in, it is a good idea to squeeze out two or three drops straightaway on to some tissue and rinse the tip with salt water.

• Las infecciones oculares pueden hacer que tus ojos se vuelvan más sensibles a la luz solar de lo habitual. Usar gafas de sol puede ayudar a prevenir esto.

• If you are using any other eye drops or eye ointments, leave 5-10 minutes between applying each preparation.

• Even when your eye appears normal again, there may still be some germs (bacteria) present. It is important to continue to use ciprofloxacin for a further 48 hours once your eye appears normal. This will help to make sure that all the bacteria have been killed. It is likely that you may need to use ciprofloxacin for about a week. You should not use it for longer than three weeks.

• No use lentes de contacto hasta que sus síntomas hayan desaparecido por completo. Espere 24 horas después de la última dosis de gotas para los ojos antes de volver a usar sus lentes.

Junto con sus efectos útiles, la mayoría de los medicamentos pueden causar efectos secundarios no deseados, aunque no todos los experimentan. Estos generalmente mejoran a medida que su cuerpo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes efectos secundarios persiste o se vuelve problemático.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse a este medicamento, hable con su médico o farmacéutico.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

• Throw away the bottle or tube after you have finished the course of treatment, even if there is some left. Never keep opened eye drops or ointments to use later.