Side Effects of Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution)

Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin ophthalmic solution) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the eye. 

Ciprofloxacin interferes with bacterial DNA uncoiling and replication, which ultimately leads to bacterial cell death. Ciprofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolone antibiotics, targets a wide range of bacteria, such as

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
• Serratia marcescens,
• Staphylococcus aureus,
• Staphylococcus epidermidis,
• Streptococcus pneumoniae, and
• the viridans group of Streptococcus. 

Common side effects of Ciloxan include

• white crust or crystals (precipitate) into the eye or on the eyelid during treatment (they dissolve in a few weeks),
• unpleasant taste in the mouth immediately after instilling the drop,
• redness,
• burning,
• numbness,
• itching,
• discomfort of the eye, and
• the sensation that something is in the eye.
• The eye can also appear tired, stained, or swollen.

Serious side effects of Ciloxan include severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using this medicine; and eye swelling, redness, severe discomfort, crusting or drainage (may be signs of infection). 

There are no known significant drug interactions with Ciloxan ophthalmic solution. 

Use of Ciloxan during pregnancy has not been adequately evaluated. Ophthalmic use may lead to some systemic absorption, so caution should be used. 

Oral and IV ciprofloxacin passes into breast milk. Ophthalmic use may lead to some absorption into the body, so caution should be used in breastfeeding mothers.

It is common to have white crust or crystals (precipitate) into the eye or on the eyelid during treatment; they dissolve in a few weeks. Other common side effects include:

• unpleasant taste in the mouth immediately after instilling the drop,
• redness,
• burning,
• numbness,
• itching,
• discomfort of the eye,
• the sensation that something is in the eye.

The eye can also appear tired, stained, or swollen.

The most frequently reported drug-related adverse reaction was local burning or discomfort. In corneal ulcer studies with frequent administration of the drug, white crystalline precipitates were seen in approximately 17% of patients.

Other reactions occurring in less than 10% of patients included

• lid margin crusting,
• crystals/scales,
• foreign body sensation,
• itching,
• conjunctival hyperemia and
• a bad taste following instillation.

Additional events occurring in less than 1% of patients included

• corneal staining,
• keratopathy/keratitis,
• allergic reactions,
• lid edema,
• tearing,
• photophobia,
• corneal infiltrates,
• nausea and
• decreased vision.

• Specific drug interaction studies have not been conducted with ophthalmic ciprofloxacin.
• However, the systemic administration of some quinolones has been shown to elevate plasma concentrations of theophylline, interfere with the metabolism of caffeine, enhance the effects of the oral anticoagulant, warfarin, and its derivatives and has been associated with transient elevations in serum creatinine in patients receiving cyclosporine concomitantly.