Moxifloxacin Eye Drops: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Moxifloxacin Eye Drops are a prescription antibiotic solution belonging to the fluoroquinolone antibiotic class. They are used to treat bacterial eye infections, including bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye), corneal ulcers, and infections related to eye surgery. The drops work by stopping bacteria from multiplying, allowing the infection to clear.

What is Moxifloxacin Eye Drops

Moxifloxacin eye drops are a prescription antibiotic solution used to treat bacterial eye infections, including bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye). It belongs to a group of medicines called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Moxifloxacin Eye Drops uses

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Corneal ulcers/keratitis caused by bacteria
• Preventing or treating infection after eye surgery such as cataract surgery
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)

Benefits of Moxifloxacin Eye Drops

• Reduces redness, itching, and discharge from bacterial eye infections
• Broad-spectrum action against many types of bacteria
• Penetrates eye tissue to treat deeper infections like corneal ulcers
• Convenient dosing of two to three times a day

How Moxifloxacin Eye Drops works

Moxifloxacin works by blocking two enzymes bacteria need to copy and repair their DNA. Without these enzymes, the bacteria cannot multiply and die off, clearing the infection.

Moxifloxacin Eye Drops dosage

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using the eye drops. Tilt your head back and gently pull the lower eyelid away from the eye to make a small pocket, then drop the medicine into this space.

After applying, close your eyes gently without blinking and press a finger on the inner corner of the eye for one to two minutes to help the medicine absorb and stop it draining into the rest of the body. Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye, eyelid, or any other surface to avoid contaminating the medicine.

If using in both eyes, wash your hands between eyes to avoid spreading infection from one eye to the other. If you are using other eye drops, wait at least five minutes between this medicine and the other drops.

Keep using the medicine for the full course of treatment, even if your symptoms have gone away or you feel better after the first few doses. Do not miss doses; if you miss one, use it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose and do not double up.

This medicine is not meant for long-term use. Do not wear contact lenses while using this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Solution (eye drops)

Side effects of Moxifloxacin Eye Drops

Common

• Burning, dry, or itching eyes
• Dry eye
• Discharge, excessive tearing
• Itching of the eye
• Pain in the eye
• Red, sore eyes
• Eye irritation

Serious

• Blurred or decreased vision, or change in vision
• Chest tightness
• Cough
• Difficulty or trouble swallowing
• Dizziness
• Fast heartbeat
• Hives, itching, or skin rash
• Loss of consciousness
• Pooling of whitish fluid visible on the colored part of the eye
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Seeing floating spots before the eyes
• Swelling of the eye
• Trouble breathing
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Pain or swelling of the tendons (tendinitis)
• Signs of severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, rash or hives, large fluid-filled blisters, sores and ulceration

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Call your doctor right away if you get a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while using this medicine.
• Do not wear contact lenses while using this medicine, as it can cause further eye irritation. If you already have signs of an eye infection, stop wearing your lenses and wear glasses instead until the infection has cleared and you have finished the medicine.
• This medicine only works against bacteria and will not treat viral or fungal eye infections.
• Using this antibiotic for a long time may lead to other infections developing.
• Tendon swelling and rupture have occurred in people taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics by mouth or injection, especially in older patients and those also using corticosteroids. Stop the eye drops if you develop tendon pain or swelling.
• There is limited information on how this medicine affects pregnancy. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using it if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning a baby.
• There isn't enough research on the effects of this medicine during breastfeeding. Weigh the possible benefits against the possible risks with your doctor before using it.
• This medicine can be used in patients with kidney problems.
• This medicine can be used in patients with liver problems.
• Your vision may be blurred for a short time right after you use the drops. Do not drive or use machines until your vision clears.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use
• Do not use after the expiry date on the bottle and carton
• This medicine does not need any special storage conditions
• Stop using the bottle 4 weeks after first opening to prevent infections
• Do not dispose of medicines into the water supply or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need

When to see a doctor

• Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred or decreased vision, whitish fluid pooling on the colored part of the eye, floating spots in your vision, or eye swelling. These could be signs of a rare eye problem called toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS).
• If your or your child's eye infection does not improve within a few days, or gets worse, contact your doctor.
• Stop using the drops immediately and tell your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction with swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, rash or hives, large fluid-filled blisters, or sores and ulceration.
• If you accidentally swallow the eye drops, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Alternatives

• Ciprofloxacin Eye Drops
• Levofloxacin Eye Drops
• Tobramycin Eye Drops