besifloxacin

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus;
Lactation: Use cautiously during lactation;
Pedi: Safe use in children <1 yr not established.

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

EENT: conjunctival redness, blurred vision, eye irritation, eye pain, , eye pruritus.

Neuro: headache

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Drug-drug:

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

(Adults and Children ≥1 yr): One drop in affected eye(s) three times daily (4–12 h apart) for 7 days.

US Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic effects:

Death of susceptible bacteria with decreased symptoms and sequelae of bacterial conjunctivitis.

Spectrum:

Active against CDC coryneform group G, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum, Corynebacterium striatum, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella lacunata, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Streptococcus mitis group, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus salivarius.

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Therapeutic Classification: anti-infectives

Pharmacologic Classification: Fluoroquinolones

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Absorption: Minimal absorption follows ophthalmic use.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Unknown.

Half-Life: 7 hr.

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
Ophth	unknown	unknown	6–12 hr

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Instruct patient to use besifloxacin as directed, even if feeling better. Do not skip doses or stop therapy early; may lead to decreased effectiveness and resistant infections. Avoid touching applicator to eye, finger, or other areas; may contaminate. Wash hands prior to instillation.
Caution patient to avoid wearing contact lenses during therapy.
Advise patient to discontinue immediately and notify health care professional if signs or rash or allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of throat) occur.