How long do antibiotic eye drops last

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Antibiotic eye drops/ointment
About ofloxacin eye drops
Before using ofloxacin eye drops
How to use ofloxacin eye drops
Getting the most from your treatment
Can ofloxacin eye drops cause problems?
How to store ofloxacin eye drops
Important information about all medicines
Do antibiotic eye drops expire?
How many times can you use antibiotic eye drops?
How do you know if eye drops are expired?
How long after opening eye drops should they be discarded?

Antibiotic eye drops/ointment

Examples: Chloramphenicol, Fusidic acid (Fucithalmic®), Levofloxacin (Oftaquix®) How to do antibiotics work? Antibiotics prevent or treat infections caused by bacteria. They do this by killing bacteria or preventing them from growing. There are many different types of antibiotics and your child has been given the best one for their problem. It might take a few days before your child feels better

What should I tell the pharmacist or doctor?
Tell the pharmacist or doctor if your child is allergic to any antibiotic, or other medication.

How to give eye drops/ointment
Before giving either drops or ointment, it is important to wash and dry your hands.

Eye drops: You only need to place one drop in each eye. If you need to give more than one type of eye drop, leave at least five minutes between applying each type of medicine.

Eye ointment: Pull down the lower lid and squeeze about 1/2 a centimetre (1/4 of an inch) of ointment into each eye. You need to take care not to touch the eye with the end of the tube.

How often and for how long should I give antibiotics?
Antibiotics need to be given at regular times throughout the day. The pharmacist or doctor will tell you how frequently.

You should always complete the full course of treatment, even if your child seems better, as otherwise the infection could return.

What are the main side effects?
Mild side effects: Eye drops and ointment can cause mild stinging, blurred sight or a funny taste in the mouth soon after putting them in.

Allergic reactions: The signs of an allergic reaction can include:

Severe redness, swelling and irritation of the eye or eyelids
Swelling of eyelids, lips or face
Difficulty breathing
Rash on the skin

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, stop the medication and seek medical attention immediately.

How do you store antibiotics?
Most eye drops/ointments can be stored at room temperature and should be thrown away four weeks after you open them. Some antibiotics need to be stored in a fridge and some need to be thrown away after one week. Check with your pharmacist when you need to discard the medication.

Do not use medicines after the expiry date written on the packaging.

Last updated: 20th November 2017

About ofloxacin eye drops

Type of medicine	Antibacterial eye drops
Used for	Eye infections in adults and children
Also called	Exocin®
Available as	Eye drops

Ofloxacin eye drops are used to treat bacterial eye infections. They work by helping to kill the bacteria which are causing the infection.

Eye infections are a common cause of conjunctivitis. In conjunctivitis, your eye becomes inflamed, feels gritty, and may water more than usual. The white of your eye may look red, and your eyelids may become swollen and stuck together with a discharge when you wake up in the morning. Only one eye may be infected to begin with, but it often spreads to both eyes. Most cases of infective conjunctivitis clear within a week or so without treatment. For more severe infections, or for infections which do not clear on their own, an antibiotic eye drop such as ofloxacin can be used.

Before using ofloxacin eye drops

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start using ofloxacin eye drops it is important that your doctor knows:

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, or to any eye drops.
If you have a heart condition or an unusual heart rhythm.
If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to use ofloxacin eye drops

Wash your hands well before you use the drops.
Remove the cap.
Tilt your head back a little and pull the lower lid of your eye downwards to form a pocket.
Hold the bottle upside down near to your eye. Try not to touch your eye as you do this.
Apply enough pressure to the bottle to release one drop into your eye.
Close your eye for a minute or two, and press gently on the side of your nose where the corner of your eye meets your nose. This helps to stop the drop from draining away and keeps it in your eye.
Repeat the process in your other eye if you have been told to use the drops in both eyes.
Replace the cap.

Getting the most from your treatment

Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from the pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about the drops, and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from using them.
If your eyes have an obvious discharge or 'crust', it can help if you bathe them with cool clean water before using ofloxacin.
Use the drops regularly, exactly as your doctor tells you to. If the infection is severe, this is likely to be every 2-4 hours for the first two days. (Just use the drops while you are awake - you do not need to wake yourself up during the night to put them in.) On day three, reduce the frequency down to four times a day.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, speak again with your doctor.
When you first put the drops into your eye, it may cause blurred vision. This should quickly clear, but make sure you can see clearly again before you drive or before using machines or tools.
Take care to avoid spreading the infection from one eye to the other, and to other members of your family. Washing your hands regularly (particularly after touching your eyes), and not sharing towels or pillows will help to prevent the infection from spreading.
If the tip of the bottle touches your eye(s) when putting the drops in, it is a good idea to squeeze out two or three drops straightaway on to some tissue and rinse the tip with salt water.
Eye infections, or using ofloxacin eye drops, may cause your eyes to become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Wearing sunglasses may help to protect your eyes.
If you are using any other eye drops, leave at least five minutes between applying each preparation. This is to prevent more liquid going into your eye than it can handle. Otherwise the drops will overflow from your eye and not have the intended effect.
Even when your eye appears normal again, there may still be some bacteria present. It is important to continue to use the drops for a further 48 hours once your eye appears normal. This will help to make sure that all the bacteria have been killed. It is likely that you may need to use the drops for about a week, but you should not use them for any longer than 10 days.
Do not wear contact lenses until your symptoms have completely gone. Wait for 24 hours after the last dose of eye drops before using your lenses again.

Can ofloxacin eye drops cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with ofloxacin eye drops. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with the drops. Speak with your doctor if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Common ofloxacin eye drop side-effects	What can I do if I experience this?
Eye irritation or discomfort	This is usually mild and does not last for long
Blurred vision	If this happens, do not drive until you can see clearly again

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the drops, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store ofloxacin eye drops

Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Throw away the bottle after you have finished the course of treatment, even if there is some liquid left. Never keep opened bottles of eye drops to use later.

Important information about all medicines

The drops are for use in the eyes only. If someone swallows some, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.

This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.

If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are using.

If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.

Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.

If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

Do antibiotic eye drops expire?

Using drops past their listed expiration date can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even an eye infection. The chemical compound of eye drops may change and lose potency over time. It is important to discard drops at the proper date to ensure no further usage and keep your eyes safe.

How many times can you use antibiotic eye drops?

For ophthalmic (eye drops) dosage form: For conjunctivitis: Adults and children 1 year of age and older—Use 1 drop in the affected eye every two to four hours, while you are awake, for two days. Then, use 1 drop in each eye four times a day for up to five more days.

How do you know if eye drops are expired?

The expiration date of eye medications is usually stamped on their packing or at the bottom of the bottle. If you cannot find it, it is best to discard the med instead of taking a chance.

How long after opening eye drops should they be discarded?

All products, once opened, may be used up to the manufacturer's expiry date unless the manufacturer advises otherwise. Exceptions would be printed on the product packaging and/or on the pharmacy label. We still advise that eye drops are discarded 28 days after opening, unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.