patient information leaflet ciloxan

Patient Information Leaflet

CILOXAN®

0.3% w/v

EYE DROPS, SOLUTION

( Ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride))

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CILOXAN®

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine. This leaflet provides a summary of the information available on your medicine.

For further information or advice ask your doctor or pharmacist.

WHAT IS IN CILOXAN

The name of this medicine is Ciloxan. It contains a substance called ciprofloxacin hydrochloride which is a fluoroquinolone (quinolone for short). Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that is active against many different types of microorganisms.

Ciloxan is supplied as a sterile solution in a 5 ml dropper bottle containing 3.5 mg of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (equivalent to 3.0 mg of ciprofloxacin) in every ml of solution.

It also contains 0.06 mg of benzalkonium chloride in each ml of solution as a preservative.

Other ingredients include sodium acetate, acetic acid, mannitol, edetate disodium and purified water.

Hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may also be included in very small quantities to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of the product to ensure comfort of the product in the eye.

HOW CILOXAN WORKS

If your doctor has prescribed this medicine for you to use then you will be suffering from either corneal ulcers or some other bacterial infection in your eye(s).

Ciloxan contains a substance called ciprofloxacin which is an antibiotic that is effective against many of the types of microorganisms that can cause eye infections and corneal ulcers.

When you place Ciloxan in your eye it begins to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection or corneal ulcers. Symptoms of the infection may disappear quite quickly, however, it is important that you continue to use the medicine for the full treatment period as directed by your doctor to ensure that the infection does not return.

As with other antibiotics, prolonged use of Ciloxan may cause an infection in your eye by microorganisms, including fungi, which are not sensitive to this medicine. If this occurs then you may require treatment with other medicines or other therapies and you should ask your doctor for advice.

BEFORE USING CILOXAN

In some circumstances this medicine may not be suitable for you and your doctor may wish to give you a different medicine, so :

If you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.
If you are breast feeding a baby.
If you have ever had to stop taking a medicine because you were allergic to it.

INFORM YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE

Ciloxan may have effects on other medicines that you are also taking e.g. medicines containing theophylline, caffeine or warfarin. Make sure that your doctor knows what other medicines you are taking.

You must not wear soft contact lenses whilst using this medicine.
Ciloxan contains benzalkonium chloride which has been known to discolour soft contact lenses.
If your sight is affected in any way following the use of Ciloxan you should not drive or operate machinery.

USING CILOXAN

Ciloxan is packaged in a container specially designed for ease of use. This DROPTAINER® contains 5 ml of Ciloxan. Follow the instructions in the section of this leaflet titled How to use Ciloxan" for the correct use of this medicine.

DOSE

Adults:

The dose and frequency of treatment will differ depending on whether you are being treated for corneal ulcers or for some other bacterial infection in your eye. It is important that you use Ciloxan as instructed by your doctor. These details will be specified on the label attached to the outer carton of your medicine. If they are not, or you are not sure, then ask your doctor or pharmacist.

For corneal ulcers the normal dose, including during night time, is 2 drops every 15 minutes for the first 6 hours and then 2 drops every 30 minutes during the first day that you use the medicine. On the second day the dose is 2 drops every hour. From the third day up to the fourteenth day the dose is two drops every four hours. Treatment will usually continue for 14 days, your doctor will advise you if treatment needs to be continued after this time.

For other bacterial infections the normal dose is one or two drops four times a day. For severe infections the dosage for the first two days may be one or two drops every two hours while you are awake. Treatment will usually continue until the infection has disappeared. However, it is important that you continue to use your medicine for the full treatment period as instructed by your doctor.

You should not use this medicine for more than 21 days unless your doctor says otherwise.

Children:

The safe use of this medicine in children under 1 year has not been established. Therefore, this medicine is not recommended for use in children under 1 year of age.

IF YOU MISS A DOSE

If you miss a dose DO NOT WORRY - just take the next dose when it is due.

IF YOU TAKE TOO MUCH

If you take too much of this medicine it can be washed out of your eye with warm water.

HOW TO USE CILOXAN®

By following the 10 steps listed below you will ensure that Ciloxan is being used correctly and to the best effect.

	1. Wash your hands before using CILOXAN.
	2. Sit down in front of a mirror so that you can see what you are doing.
	3. Twist off the cap from the bottle. (On first opening remove and discard the plastic collar.)
	4. At all times make sure the dropper tip does not touch anything as this may contaminate the contents.
	5. Hold the bottle upside down in one hand between your thumb and middle finger.
	6. Using the forefinger of your other hand gently pull down the lower eyelid of the affected eye.
	7. Place the dropper bottle tip close to, but not touching, your eye and gently tap the base of the bottle with your forefinger so that one or two drops, as directed, fall into the gap between the eye and the lower lid.
	8. Now release the lower eyelid, and blink a few times to make sure the whole of the eye is covered by the liquid.
	9. Repeat steps 5 to 8, above, for the other eye, if necessary.
	10. Replace and tightly close the cap on the dropper bottle.

AFTER USING CILOXAN

You may experience some or all of the following reactions in your eye :
- Burning, Discomfort, Itching, Foreign body (gritty) sensation, Redness of the eye or inside the eyelid, Crust formation on the eyelid, Staining or inflammation of the cornea, Swelling of the eyelid, Decreased vision, Increased tear production, Sensitivity to light, Particles in the cornea
You may also experience reactions in other areas of your body including :
- Nausea, Bad taste in your mouth, Allergic reactions e.g. rash, itching, swelling or breathing difficulties

If you experience an allergic reaction you should stop using Ciloxan and inform your doctor.

If you experience any of the reactions listed above or any others not listed, after using Ciloxan then tell your doctor and follow his advice.
Some people notice white particles in their eye(s) while using Ciloxan. If this happens to you then continue to use Ciloxan but inform your doctor immediately.

STORING CILOXAN

Keep Ciloxan in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.
Keep the container tightly closed. Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date shown as "EXP" on the label and carton.
This medicine must be discarded one month after first opening.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything then you should ask your doctor or the pharmacist.

Please keep this leaflet in a safe place, preferably with your medicine as you may wish to read it again. Do not throw it away until you have finished your medicine.

Medicine: ciloxan