BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS◊
 
Brand Generic Strength   Size Formulation† Dosing Regimen‡
AZASITE
(Inspire)		 azithromycin 1% Rx 2.5mL soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1 drop twice daily (8–12hrs apart) for 2 days, then once daily for 5 days.
BACITRACIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT
(Fera)		 bacitracin 500 Units/g Rx 3.5g oint Adults and Children: Apply 1–3 times daily. Blepharitis: remove scales and crusts before applying to lid margins.
BESIVANCE
(Bausch & Lomb Pharmaceuticals)		 besifloxacin 0.6% Rx 5mL susp* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1 drop in affected eye(s) 3 times daily (4–12 hrs apart) for 7 days. Shake bottle once before use.
BLEPH-10
(Allergan)		 sulfacetamide
sodium		 10% Rx 5mL
10mL		 soln* <2months: not recommended.
≥2months: Initially 1–2 drops every 2–3hrs during the day (less often at night). Treat for 7–10 days.
CILOXAN
(Alcon)		 ciproxfloxacin (as HCl) 0.3% Rx 3.5g oint <2yrs: not recommended.
≥2yrs: Apply ½ inch into conjunctival sac 3 times daily for 2 days, then twice daily for 5 days.
2.5mL
5mL
10mL		 soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1–2 drops every 2hrs while awake for 2 days, then 1–2 drops every 4 hrs while awake for 5 days.
ERYTHROMYCIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT
(Fera)		 erythromycin 5mg/g Rx 3.5g oint Adults and Children: Apply 1cm ribbon of ointment to infected area up to 6 times daily. Prophylaxis of neonatal gonoccocal or chlamydial conjunctivitis: instill 1cm ribbon of ointment into each lower conjunctival sac.
NEOSPORIN
(King)		 polymyxin B sulfate 10000 Units/mL Rx 10mL soln*** Children: not recommended.
Adults: 1–2 drops every 4hrs for 7–10 days. Max up to 2 drops every hour.
neomycin (as
sulfate)		 1.75mg/mL
gramicidin 0.025mg/mL
OCUFLOX
(Allergan)		 ofloxacin 0.3% Rx 5mL soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1–2 drops every 2–4hrs for 2 days, then 4 times daily for 5 more days.
POLYMYXIN B/BACITRACIN
(various)		 polymyxin B sulfate 10000 Units/g Rx Contact supplier oint Adults and children: Apply every 3–4 hrs for 7–10 days.
bacitracin zinc 500 Units/g
POLYMYXIN B/BACITRACIN/ NEOMYCIN
(various)		 polymyxin B sulfate 10000 Units/g Rx

 Contact supplier

 oint

 Adults and children: Apply every 4 hrs for 7–10 days.
bacitracin zinc 400 Units/g
neomycin (as sulfate) 3.5mg/g
POLYTRIM
(Allergan)		 trimethoprim sulfate 1mg/mL Rx 10mL soln* <2months: not recommended.
≥2months: 1 drop every 3 hrs for 7–10 days; max 6 doses/day.
polymyxin B sulfate 10000 Units/mL
QUIXIN
(Vistakon)		 levofloxacin (as hemihydrate) 0.5% Rx 5mL soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1–2 drops every 2 hrs while awake (max 8 times/day) on days 1 and 2, then 1–2 drops every 4hrs while awake (max 4 times/day) on days 3–7.
TOBREX
(Alcon)		 tobramycin 0.3% Rx 3.5g oint** Severe infections: initially 2 drops every hr or ½ inch of ointment every 3–4 hrs; then may prolong dosing interval. Mild to moderate infections: 1–2 drops every 4 hrs or ½ inch of ointment 2–3 times daily.
5mL soln*
VIGAMOX
(Alcon)		 moxifloxacin (as HCl) 0.5% Rx 3mL soln <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1 drop 3 times daily for 7 days.
ZYMAR
(Allergan)		 gatifloxacin 0.3% Rx 5mL soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1 drop every 2 hrs while awake for 2 days (up to 8 times daily), then 1 drop 4 times daily while awake for 5 more days.
ZYMAXID
(Allergan)		 gatifloxacin 0.5% Rx 2.5mL soln* <1yr: not recommended.
≥1yr: 1 drop every 2 hrs (max 8 doses) on day 1 then 1 drop 2–4 times daily while awake on days 2–7.
NOTES

† soln = solution; oint = ointment; susp = suspension
‡ Do not wear contact lenses with signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. To prevent contamination, the dropper tip should not touch the eyelids or surrounding areas. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
*Contains benzalkonium chloride. May be absorbed by soft contact lenses.
**Contains chlorobutanol.
***Contains alcohol, thimerosal.
◊ Not an inclusive list. Please see drug monograph or www.eMPR.com

(Rev. 9/2010)