Consumer Information for: CILOXAN

Consumer Information

Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.


What the medication is used for

CILOXAN is used to treat corneal ulcers and conjunctivitis caused by bacterial infections of the eye.

Antibacterial drugs like CILOXAN treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections.

What it does

CILOXAN is an antibiotic that stops the growth of bacteria

When it should not be used
  • Allergic to ciprofloxacin or any of the other ingredients in CILOXAN.
  • Allergic to other quinolone antibiotics, including nalidixic acid.

What the medicinal ingredient is

Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Mineral oil, white petrolatum

What dosage form it comes in

0.3% ophthalmic ointment (eye ointment)

Warnings and precautions

Serious Warnings and Precautions

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take CILOXAN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • Notice your symptoms get worse or suddenly return. You should contact your healthcare professional. You may become more susceptible to infections especially after prolonged use.
  • Develop another infection, your healthcare professional will prescribe another medicine to treat that infection.
  • Have a skin rash or any other allergic reaction, including hives, itching or breathing problems. You should stop treatment and immediately contact your healthcare professional. You may need emergency treatment.
  • Feel pain, swelling or inflammation of the tendons while, or soon after taking CILOXAN. You should stop treatment and contact your healthcare professional.
  • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
  • Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
  • Are elderly or if you are taking corticosteroids. You are more likely to get pain or swelling in your tendons during treatment with CILOXAN.

Other warnings you should know about:

  • Only use CILOXAN in children younger than 1 year if prescribed by your healthcare professional.
  • Do NOT wear contact lenses while using CILOXAN unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare professional.
  • Your vision may be temporarily blurry after using CILOXAN. Do not drive or use machines until your vision is clear.
Interactions with this medication

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Proper use of this medication

How to take CILOXAN:

                                                                             
  • Only use CILOXAN in your eyes.
  • Wash your hands.
  • Remove the cap from the tube.
  • Tilt your head back.
  • Pull down your eyelid with a clean finger, until there is a ‘pocket’ between the eyelid and your eye. The ointment will go in here (picture 1).
  • Do not touch your eye or eyelid, surrounding areas or other surfaces with the tube tip. It could contaminate the ointment.
  • Place a small amount of CILOXAN in the ‘pocket.’
  • Look down before closing your eye.
  • If you take CILOXAN for both eyes, repeat the steps for your other eye.
  • Replace the cap of the tube immediately after use.
  • If you are using other eye medicines, the medicines must be used at least 5 minutes apart. Eye ointments should be administered last.

Usual Dose

Conjunctivitis (Adults and Children 1 year and older):
Days 1 and 2: Apply a half inch (1.27 cm) ribbon of ointment into the eye(s) 3 times a day.
Days 3 to 7: Apply a half inch (1.27 cm) ribbon of ointment into the eye(s) 2 times a day.

Corneal Ulcer (Adults and Children 12 years and older):
Days 1 and 2: Apply a half inch ribbon of ointment into the eye(s) every 1 to 2 hours throughout
the day.
Days 3 to 14: Apply a half inch ribbon of ointment into the eye(s) every 4 hours.

If your eye(s) do not get better after 12 days, talk to your healthcare professional.

Overdose

If you think you have applied too much CILOXAN, rinse it all out with warm water. Do not apply any more CILOXAN until it is time for your next dose

If you or your child accidentally ingest CILOXAN, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose

If you forget to apply a dose of CILOXAN, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is close to your next regular dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double dose to make up for a missed dose.

  • If you forget to apply a dose of CILOXAN, take it as soon as you remember.
  • However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Instead, continue with your next scheduled dose.
  • Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Side effects and what to do about them

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking CILOXAN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

In the eye:

  • white deposits on the eye surface (cornea)
  • eye discomfort, itching
  • eye redness
  • blurred vision
  • eye pain
  • tearing (watering of the eye)
  • sensitivity to light
  • dry eye
  • reduced vision
  • swelling of the eyelid
  • damage to or staining of the eye surface (cornea)
  • foreign body sensation
  • tired eyes
  • decreased eye sensation

Other areas of your body:

  • bad taste
  • skin irritation
  • dizziness
  • ear pain
  • nasal sinus discharge
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain

Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effect Talk to your healthcare professional Only if severe Talk to your healthcare professional In all cases Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help
UNKNOWN
Allergic reaction: swelling of face, lips or tongue; difficulty breathing; hives; itchy skin     ✔
Tendon disorder: pain or swelling in tendons     ✔

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

How to store

Store the tube in the carton at room temperature (2oC-30oC)

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:

Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffectTM Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

More information

If you want more information about CILOXAN:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website (https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); the manufacturer’s website www.novartis.ca, or by calling 1-800-363-8883.

This leaflet was prepared by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

Last Revised: May 22, 2018

CILOXAN is a registered trademark.

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