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

Quick overview

Vigamox Eye Drops contain moxifloxacin hydrochloride, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the eye. They are a prescription medicine that helps clear infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis by stopping the bacteria from multiplying. Vigamox is for use in the eye only and is typically used for a short, defined course of treatment.

What is Vigamox Eye Drops

Vigamox is a prescription eye drop that contains moxifloxacin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the eye.

Vigamox Eye Drops uses

• Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Bacterial keratitis
• Pre-operative eye infections
• Post-operative eye infection prevention
• Corneal ulcers from bacterial infection

Benefits of Vigamox Eye Drops

• Helps reduce redness, discharge, irritation, and discomfort caused by susceptible bacteria.
• Provides direct antibiotic treatment at the site of infection.
• Can help clear the infection and support faster symptom improvement when used as prescribed.

How Vigamox Eye Drops works

Vigamox contains moxifloxacin, a type of antibiotic that stops bacteria from copying their DNA, which kills the bacteria causing the eye infection.

Vigamox Eye Drops dosage

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow all directions on your prescription label. Keep using the medicine even if your symptoms improve quickly; stopping early could let the infection come back or become resistant to treatment. This medicine will not treat a viral infection.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops. To apply, tilt your head back, pull down the lower eyelid to make a small pocket, and place a drop into it. Look downward and gently close your eyes for one to two minutes without blinking or rubbing the eye. Pressing gently at the corner of the eye near the nose can help keep the medicine from draining away.

Do not touch the dropper tip to your eye, fingers, or any surface to avoid contaminating it. Do not rinse the dropper. If using other eye medicines, wait at least five minutes between applying each one. Wait several minutes for your vision to clear before driving or using machinery.

Try to use the drops at the same times each day to help you remember. Continue using the medicine for the full time prescribed, even if symptoms go away after a few days. Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve within about a week.

Remove contact lenses before using the drops and ask your doctor how long to wait before putting them back in. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not use two doses at once.

Available forms and strengths

• Eye drops (ophthalmic solution)

Side effects of Vigamox Eye Drops

Common

• Dry or watery eyes
• Eye pain, redness, or discomfort
• Blurred vision
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Skin rash
• Itching

Serious

• Severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using the eye drops
• Signs of eye infection such as swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage
• Reduced visual acuity
• Subconjunctival hemorrhage
• Eye redness (conjunctival hyperemia)
• Fever
• Ear infection (acute bacterial otitis media)
• Signs of a serious allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Vigamox if you have a viral or fungal eye infection, including herpes simplex — it only works against bacterial infections.
• Do not use this medicine if you've had an allergic reaction to it or similar antibiotics in the past.
• This medicine is for use in the eye only — it should never be injected.
• Serious and sometimes life-threatening allergic reactions have happened with this type of antibiotic, sometimes after just one dose. Stop using it and get medical help right away if you notice a rash or signs of an allergic reaction.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses while you have signs of a bacterial eye infection.
• Using this medicine for a long time may lead to new infections from germs that are not killed by it, including fungi.
• There isn't enough human data on using this medicine during pregnancy. Your doctor should weigh the benefits against possible risks to the baby before you use it.
• It isn't known how much of this medicine passes into breast milk, so caution is advised if you are breastfeeding.
• Your vision may be blurry for a short time after using the drops, so wait until your vision clears before driving or operating machinery.

Storage

• Store at 2–25°C (36–77°F) according to the product labeling.
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
• Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not freeze, and avoid touching the dropper tip to prevent contamination.
• Keep out of reach and sight of children and pets.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using the drops and call your doctor right away if you have severe burning, stinging, or irritation, or signs of eye infection like swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting, or drainage.
• Contact your doctor if your symptoms don't improve or get worse, or if they haven't improved within about 7 days.
• If someone accidentally swallows this medicine, seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center.
• Stop use immediately and contact your doctor at the first sign of a rash or allergic reaction.

Alternatives

• Ciloxan (Ciprofloxacin) Eye Drops
• Ocuflox (Ofloxacin) Eye Drops
• Besivance (Besifloxacin) Eye Drops
• Tobramycin Eye Drops