From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ... Bacterial Conjunctivitis: The recommended dosage regimen for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitisis one or two drops instilled into the conjunctival sac(s) every two hours while awake for two days and one or two drops every four hours while awake for the next five days.
- The recommended dosage of ciprofloxacin ointment for conjunctivitis is one or two drops instilled into the conjunctival sac.
- The recommended duration of treatment is 7 days, with the following schedule:
- Every 2 hours while awake for the first 2 days
- Every 4 hours while awake for the next 5 days 1
From the Research
For bacterial conjunctivitis, ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment (0.3%) is typically applied as a 1/2 inch ribbon into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye(s) three times daily for the first two days, then twice daily for the next five days, for a total treatment duration of 7 days. The ointment should be applied after gently cleaning away any discharge with warm water and a clean cloth. Patients should wash hands before and after application, avoid touching the tip of the tube to any surface including the eye, and complete the full course of treatment even if symptoms improve earlier. Ciprofloxacin works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase, preventing bacterial DNA replication and ultimately killing the infecting organisms. This fluoroquinolone antibiotic is effective against many common conjunctivitis-causing bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. If symptoms worsen or don't improve after 3 days, patients should contact their healthcare provider as this may indicate a viral infection or antibiotic resistance requiring alternative treatment.
Some key points to consider when using ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment for bacterial conjunctivitis include:
- The importance of completing the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve earlier, to ensure complete eradication of the infection 2
- The need for proper hygiene and handling of the ointment to prevent contamination and infection spread 3
- The potential for ciprofloxacin to be as effective as other antibiotics, such as chloramphenicol, in treating bacterial conjunctivitis 3
- The broad spectrum of activity of ciprofloxacin against common conjunctivitis-causing bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae 4
It's worth noting that while besifloxacin, another fluoroquinolone antibiotic, has been shown to be effective in treating bacterial conjunctivitis, the most recent and highest quality study on ciprofloxacin ophthalmic ointment recommends the above dosage and treatment duration 2, 5.