Ocuflox

Ocuflox is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, including corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by bacteria. Ocuflox belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics. These drugs work by killing certain bacteria that cause can cause eye infections.

This medication comes in eyedrop form and is typically adminstered into the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 or more times daily.

Common side effects include eye discomfort, tearing, and dryness.

Ocuflox can also cause blurred vision and/or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Ocuflox affects you.

Ocuflox is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial infections of the eye, including corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by certain susceptible bacteria.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Allergan, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Ocuflox. See the “Ocuflox Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Ocuflox for the eyes include the following:

• eye burning or discomfort
• eye stinging or redness
• tear production
• sensitivity to light
• blurred vision
• dry eyes

This is not a complete list of Ocuflox side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other antibiotics
• anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• certain antidepressants
• antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• diuretics ('water pills')
• insulin and oral medications for diabetes such as glyburide (DiaBeta, in Glucovance, Micronase, others)
• certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone), quinidine,
• oral or injectable steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Sterapred)
• procainamide (Procanbid), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others)
• probenecid (in Col-Probenecid, Probalan)
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl, others)

This is not a complete list of Ocuflox drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Ocuflox including the following:

Acute hypersensitivity reactions. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if you experirence a raised, itchy, and/or red skin rash accompanied by difficulty breathing or swallowing and/or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.

Do not take Ocuflox if you:

• are allergic to Ocuflox or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to any fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Ocuflox can also cause blurred vision and/or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Ocuflox affects you.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Ocuflox, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Ocuflox, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Ocuflox or to any of its ingredients
• are allergic to any fluoroquinolone antibiotic
• have liver problems
• have heart problems
• have tendon problems
• have central nervous system problems such as epilepsy
• have kidney problems
• have rheumatoid arthritis or joint problems
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X - are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Ocuflox falls into category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if the eyedrop form of Ocuflox crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Ocuflox.

Take Ocuflox exactly as prescribed.

Ocuflox comes in eyedrop form and is typically adminstered into the affected eye(s) 2 to 4 or more times daily. Do not use Ocuflox eye drops in the ears.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take 2 doses of Ocuflox at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• your age

The recommended dose of Ocuflox for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis is:

If you take too much Ocuflox, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Ocuflox is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Store Ocuflox at room temperature.

Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.