Besifloxacin
Pronunciation: (BE-si-FLOX-a-sin)Class: Fluoroquinolone
Trade Names:Besivance- Suspension, ophthalmic 0.6%
Pharmacology
Inhibits microbial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
C max is less than 1.3 ng/mL.
Elimination
Average elimination half-life is 7 h.
Indications and Usage
Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible organisms.
Contraindications
Standard considerations.
Dosage and Administration
Adults and Children 1 y of age and olderOphthalmic 1 drop in affected eye(s) 3 times daily 4 to 12 h apart for 7 days.
General Advice
- For topical ophthalmic use only; should not be injected into the eye.
- Invert bottle and shake once before using.
Storage/Stability
Store at 59° to 77°F. Protect from light.
Drug Interactions
None well documented.
Laboratory Test Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
CNS
Headache (1% to 2%).
EENT
Conjunctival redness (2%); blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, eye pruritus (1% to 2%).
Precautions
MonitorMonitor patient for signs and symptoms of ocular adverse reactions (eg, burning, irritation, stinging pain) and improvement in conjunctivitis. |
Pregnancy
Category C .
Lactation
Undetermined.
Children
Safety and efficacy not established in children younger than 1 y of age.
Superinfection
Prolonged use may result in overgrowth of nonsusceptible microorganisms, including bacteria or fungi.
Contact lenses
Patients should not wear contact lenses.
Patient Information
- Instruct patients not to wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or during use of the product.
- Advise patient to avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers, or other sources.
- Advise patient to discontinue use immediately and contact their health care provider at the first sign of rash or allergic reaction.
- Instruct patient to complete the full course of therapy, even if symptoms of infection have resolved.
- Advise patient to thoroughly wash hands before using besifloxacin.
- Instruct patient to invert closed bottle (upside down) and shake once before each use; remove cap with bottle still in the inverted position; tilt head back, and with bottle inverted, gently squeeze bottle to instill 1 drop into the affected eye(s).
- Notify health care provider if conjunctivitis is not improving or is worsening, or if intolerable adverse reactions occur.
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