Patient leaflet - CILOXAN 0.3%W/V EYE DROPS SOLUTION, CIPROFLOXACIN 0.3%W/V EYE DROPS SOLUTION
Ciloxan® 0.3%w/v eye drops, solution
(ciprofloxacin hydrochloride)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
The name of your medicine is Ciloxan 0.3%w/v eye drops, solution but will be referred to as Ciloxan throughout this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Ciloxan is and what it is used for
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ciloxan
6. Contents of the pack and other information
2. What you need to know before you use Ciloxan
3. How to use Ciloxan
1.
What Ciloxan is and what it is used for
Ciloxan belongs to a group of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics.
It is used for the treatment
of corneal ulcers and some other bacterial infections of the eye(s).2.
What you need to know before you use Ciloxan
Do not use Ciloxan…
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ciprofloxacin or any other quinolone antibiotic or to any of the other ingredients listed in section 6.
Ask your doctor for advice.
Take special care…
- Only use Ciloxan in your eyes.
- Only use Ciloxan in children younger than 1 year if prescribed by your doctor.
- As with any antibiotic, use of Ciloxan for a long time may lead to other infections. If your symptoms get worse or suddenly return tell your doctor. You may become more susceptible to other infections with the use of this medicine, especially after prolonged use.
- If you notice the first signs of a skin rash or any other allergic reaction, including hives, itching, breathing problems stop treatment and immediately contact your doctor. If you have a serious allergic reaction then you may need emergency treatment.
- If you feel pain, swelling or inflammation while or shortly after taking this medicine, stop treatment and contact your doctor.
- If you are elderly or if you are taking medicines called ‘corticosteroids’ used to treat conditions such as pain and inflammation, asthma or skin problems then you have a higher risk of getting tendon problems during treatment with Ciloxan. If you experience any inflammation or inflammatory condition, stop treatment and immediately consult your doctor.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or might get pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding a baby, talk to your doctor before you use Ciloxan.
Driving and using machines
If your sight is temporarily blurred or affected in any way following use of Ciloxan you should not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear again.
Other medicines and Ciloxan
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you are using more than one type of eye medicine, the medicines must be used at least 5 minutes apart. Eye ointments should be used last.
Important information if you wear Contact Lenses
There is a preservative in Ciloxan (benzalkonium chloride). This medicine contains 0.3mg Benzalkonium Chloride in each 5ml which is equivalent to 0.06mg/ml. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. You should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.
Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If you feel abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye after using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
3.
How to use Ciloxan
The recommended dose
This will depend on whether you are being treated for corneal ulcers or for some other bacterial infection in your eye.
Corneal Ulcers
Dosing is continued during the night time.
Day 1 – 2 drops every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours and then 2 drops every 30 minutes.
Day 2 –2 drops every hour.
Day 3 to Day 14 –2 drops every 4 hours.
Your doctor will tell you if treatment needs to be continued for longer than 14 days.
Other bacterial infections
1 or 2 drops 4 times a day. For severe infections the dose for the first 2 days may be increased to 1 or 2 drops every 2 hours, while you are awake.
It is important that you continue to use Ciloxan for the full treatment period as advised by your doctor even if your symptoms improve. If you stop using this medicine too early, your symptoms may re-occur.
You should not use Ciloxan for more than 21 days , unless your doctor says otherwise.
Remove the loose collar from the cap when the bottle is first opened.
Always use Ciloxan exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
3.
How to use Ciloxan
(continued)How to use
- Wash your hands before you start.
- Twist off the bottle cap
- Hold the bottle pointing down, between your thumb and fingers.
- Tilt your head back.
- Pull down your lower eyelid with a finger, until there is a ‚pocket‘ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1).
- Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Do this in front of a mirror if it helps
- Do not touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops.
- Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop at a time (picture 2).
- Do not squeeze the bottle, only a gentle press on the bottom is needed.
- If you use drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye. Put the bottle cap firmly back on immediately after use.
- If a drop misses your eye, try again.
- If you forget to use Ciloxan, do not worry, just use it when it is next due. Do not take a double dose to make up.
- If you use more Ciloxan than you should it can be washed out of your eye with lukewarm water.
- If this medicine is accidentally swallowed, it is not likely to cause any serious problems, but contact your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of Ciloxan, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Ciloxan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
- You may experience some or all of the following effects in your eye(s) :
Common (1 to 10 users in 100) :
White deposits on the eye surface (cornea), discomfort (stinging or burning, gritty feeling in the eye, irritation), redness.
Uncommon (1 to 10 users in 1,000) :
Damage to the eye surface (cornea), sensitivity to light, blurred vision, swelling of the eye or eyelid, pain, dry eye, itchiness, eye discharge, eyelid crusting, eyelids scales, eyelid redness, poor vision, watery eyes, red eyes
Rare (1 to 10 users in 10,000) :
Damage of the eye, inflammation, double vision, decreased eye sensation, tired eyes, stye.
If you notice white particles in your eyes, continue to use Ciloxan but tell your doctor immediately.
-
You may also experience effects in other areas of your body including:
Common : Bad taste.
Uncommon : Headache, nausea.
Rare : Hypersensitivity, dizziness, ear pain, inflammation inside the nose, nasal sinus discharge, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, skin inflammation, tendon disorder.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
If you experience an allergic reaction, stop using Ciloxan and tell your doctor.
5.
How to store ciloxan
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use the eye drops after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle labels after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last date of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Keep container in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
- Discard after 4 weeks of first opening.
- Medicines should not be disposed via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of your medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Ciloxan contains
The active substance in Ciloxan is ciprofloxacin. Each ml contains 0.3%w/v ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride).
The other ingredients are 0.06mg/ml benzalkonium chloride, sodium acetate, acetic acid, mannitol, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid solution and purified water.
What Ciloxan looks like and contents of the pack
Ciloxan is a colourless to pale yellow solution. Ciloxan is available in plastic bottles with a screw cap containing 5ml solution.
Manufactured by: Alcon Couvreur NV, Puurs, Belgium. OR Alcon Cusi S.A., 08320 El Masnou, Spain.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
B&S Healthcare, Unit 4, Bradfield Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 0NU, UK.
Ciloxan ® 0.3%w/v eye dr ops, so lution;
PL 18799/2396 [pqM
Leaflet date: 22.02.2021
Ciloxan is a registered trademark of Novartis AG.
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Call 0208 515 3763 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.
Package Leaflet – Information for the User
Ciprofloxacin 0.3%w/v eye drops, solution
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If any of the side effects get serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
The name of your medicine is Ciprofloxacin 0.3%w/v eye drops, solution but will be referred to as Ciprofloxacin throughout this leaflet.
What is in this leaflet
1. What Ciprofloxacin is and what it is used for
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ciprofloxacin
6. Contents of the pack and other information
2. What you need to know before you use Ciprofloxacin
3. How to use Ciprofloxacin
1.
What Ciprofloxacin is and what it is used for
Ciprofloxacin belongs to a group of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics.
It is used for the treatment
of corneal ulcers and some other bacterial infections of the eye(s).2.
What you need to know before you use Ciprofloxacin
Do not use Ciprofloxacin…
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to ciprofloxacin or any other quinolone antibiotic or to any of the other ingredients listed in section 6.
Ask your doctor for advice.
Take special care…
- Only use Ciprofloxacin in your eyes.
- Only use Ciprofloxacin in children younger than
-
1 year if prescribed by your doctor.
- As with any antibiotic, use of Ciprofloxacin for a long time may lead to other infections. If your symptoms get worse or suddenly return tell your doctor. You may become more susceptible to other infections with the use of this medicine, especially after prolonged use.
- If you notice the first signs of a skin rash or any other allergic reaction, including hives, itching, breathing problems stop treatment and immediately contact your doctor. If you have a serious allergic reaction then you may need emergency treatment.
- If you feel pain, swelling or inflammation while or shortly after taking this medicine, stop treatment and contact your doctor.
- If you are elderly or if you are taking medicines called ‘corticosteroids’ used to treat conditions such as pain and inflammation, asthma or skin problems then you have a higher risk of getting tendon problems during treatment with Ciprofloxacin. If you experience any inflammation or inflammatory condition, stop treatment and immediately consult your doctor.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or might get pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding a baby, talk to your doctor before you use Ciprofloxacin.
Driving and using machines
If your sight is temporarily blurred or affected in any way following use of Ciprofloxacin you should not drive or operate machinery until your vision is clear again.
Other medicines and Ciprofloxacin Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you are using more than one type of eye medicine, the medicines must be used at least 5 minutes apart. Eye ointments should be used last.
Important information if you wear Contact Lenses
There is a preservative in Ciprofloxacin (benzalkonium chloride). This medicine contains 0.3mg Benzalkonium Chloride in each 5ml which is equivalent to 0.06mg/ml. Benzalkonium chloride may be absorbed by soft contact lenses and may change the colour of the contact lenses. You should remove contact lenses before using this medicine and put them back 15 minutes afterwards.
Benzalkonium chloride may also cause eye irritation, especially if you have dry eyes or disorders of the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye). If you feel abnormal eye sensation, stinging or pain in the eye after using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
3.
How to use Ciprofloxacin
The recommended dose
This will depend on whether you are being treated for corneal ulcers or for some other bacterial infection in your eye.
Corneal Ulcers
Dosing is continued during the night time.
Day 1 – 2 drops every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours and then 2 drops every 30 minutes.
Day 2 –2 drops every hour.
Day 3 to Day 14 –2 drops every 4 hours.
Your doctor will tell you if treatment needs to be continued for longer than 14 days.
Other bacterial infections
1 or 2 drops 4 times a day. For severe infections the dose for the first 2 days may be increased to 1 or 2 drops every 2 hours, while you are awake.
It is important that you continue to use Ciprofloxacin for the full treatment period as advised by your doctor even if your symptoms improve. If you stop using this medicine too early, your symptoms may re-occur.
You should not use Ciprofloxacin for more than 21 days , unless your doctor says otherwise. Remove the loose collar from the cap when the bottle is first opened.
Always use Ciprofloxacin exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
3.
How to use Ciprofloxacin
(continued)How to use
- Wash your hands before you start.
- Twist off the bottle cap
- Hold the bottle pointing down, between your thumb and fingers.
- Tilt your head back.
- Pull down your lower eyelid with a finger, until there is a ‚pocket‘ between the eyelid and your eye. The drop will go in here (picture 1).
- Bring the bottle tip close to the eye. Do this in front of a mirror if it helps
- Do not touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the dropper. It could infect the drops.
- Gently press on the base of the bottle to release one drop at a time (picture 2).
- Do not squeeze the bottle, only a gentle press on the bottom is needed.
- If you use drops in both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye. Put the bottle cap firmly back on immediately after use.
- If a drop misses your eye, try again.
- If you forget to use Ciprofloxacin, do not worry, just use it when it is next due. Do not take a double dose to make up.
- If you use more Ciprofloxacin than you should it can be washed out of your eye with lukewarm water.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Ciprofloxacin can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
- You may experience some or all of the following effects in your eye(s) :
Common (1 to 10 users in 100) :
White deposits on the eye surface (cornea), discomfort (stinging or burning, gritty feeling in the eye, irritation), redness.
Uncommon (1 to 10 users in 1,000) :
Damage to the eye surface (cornea), sensitivity to light, blurred vision, swelling of the eye or eyelid, pain, dry eye, itchiness, eye discharge, eyelid crusting, eyelids scales, eyelid redness, poor vision, watery eyes, red eyes
Rare (1 to 10 users in 10,000) :
Damage of the eye, inflammation, double vision, decreased eye sensation, tired eyes, stye.
If you notice white particles in your eyes, continue to use Ciprofloxacin but tell your doctor immediately.
- If this medicine is accidentally swallowed, it is not likely to cause any serious problems, but contact your doctor.
If you have any further questions on the use of Ciprofloxacin, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
-
You may also experience effects in other areas of your body including:
Common : Bad taste.
Uncommon : Headache, nausea.
Rare : Hypersensitivity, dizziness, ear pain, inflammation inside the nose, nasal sinus discharge, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, skin inflammation, tendon disorder.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
If you experience an allergic reaction, stop using Ciprofloxacin and tell your doctor.
5.
How to store Ciprofloxacin
- Medicines should not be disposed via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of your medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
- Do not use the eye drops after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and bottle labels after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last date of that month.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not refrigerate or freeze.
- Keep container in the outer carton in order to protect from light.
- Discard after 4 weeks of first opening.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Ciprofloxacin contains
The active substance in Ciprofloxacin is ciprofloxacin.
Each ml contains 0.3%w/v ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride).
The other ingredients are 0.06mg/ml benzalkonium chloride, sodium acetate, acetic acid, mannitol, disodium edetate, sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid solution and purified water.
What Ciprofloxacin looks like and contents of the pack
Ciprofloxacin is a colourless to pale yellow solution. Ciprofloxacin is available in plastic bottles with a screw cap containing 5ml solution. Manufactured by: Alcon Couvreur NV, Puurs, Belgium. OR Alcon Cusi S.A., 08320 El Masnou, Spain.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
B&S Healthcare, Unit 4, Bradfield Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 0NU, UK.
Ciprofloxacin 0.3%w/v eye drops, solution; PL 18799/2396 [POM
Leaflet date: 22.02.2021
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Call 0208 515 3763 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.