Moxifloxacin ophthalmic is an antibiotic that is applied topically to the eyes. As with the use of other types of antibiotics, it is important to follow the dosage directions correctly so that the infection does not get worse. This medication is administered in a liquid suspension which is dropped into the affected eye or eyes.
Though the dosing will be different for each patient, generally, a patient will use moxifloxacin ophthalmic three times each day. The course of the treatment is usually complete after one week. Using this antibiotic at regular intervals, usually every eight hours, will help to keep a stable dose in the patient's body, which can improve its effectiveness. A patient may start to feel better and symptoms of infection may disappear entirely after a couple of days of treatment, but it is still important to continue taking this drug for as long as it has been prescribed for. Discontinuing treatment with moxifloxacin ophthalmic too soon can leave some bacteria alive, which may cause the infection to spread again, this time, with an increased resistance to the medication.
When used correctly, moxifloxacin ophthalmic should completely clear up an eye infection by the end of the prescribed course of treatment. Patients who still have symptoms at this time should check with a doctor, as they may need to undergo further treatment. As a member of the floroquinolone class of drugs, moxifloxacin ophthalmic is an effective antibiotic against many different types of bacteria, but there are some strains of bacteria that are resistant.
A patient using moxifloxacin ophthalmic should be careful to properly follow the administration instructions. The medication is administered in eye drops, and the dropper, because it is used throughout the course of treatment, needs to be handled properly. Touching the tip of the dropper to unwashed hands or dirty surfaces can cause bacteria to get inside the bottle. Likewise, touching the tip of the bottle to the affected area of the eye can cause the infection to take hold in the antibiotic itself. If this happens, the medication can cause more harm than good and should be replaced.
In most cases, there are few side effects from treatment with moxifloxacin ophthalmic. The drug often causes blurry vision, so patients should be careful when driving, but there are few other side effects. As with any medication, there is a possibility for the patient to have a severe allergic reaction, so any nausea, dizziness, or hives should be promptly reported to a doctor.