From the Guidelines
Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) is generally preferred over ofloxacin for the treatment of severe external eye infections, particularly those involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa, due to its higher potency against gram-negative bacteria 1. When considering the treatment of eye infections, both Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) and ofloxacin are fluoroquinolone antibiotics that can be effective, but they have some differences in their coverage and potency.
- Ciloxan is more potent against gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa, making it a preferred choice for severe external eye infections involving this pathogen.
- Ofloxacin offers broader coverage against gram-positive organisms, which might be beneficial in cases where a broader spectrum of activity is needed. The dosing for these medications can vary:
- Ciloxan is typically dosed as 1-2 drops in the affected eye(s) every 2 hours while awake for the first two days, then 1-2 drops every 4 hours for the next 5 days.
- Ofloxacin is usually prescribed as 1-2 drops every 2-4 hours for the first two days, then four times daily for up to 10 days. Both medications may cause temporary stinging or burning upon application. It's crucial to complete the full course of either medication even if symptoms improve quickly to prevent antibiotic resistance and ensure complete eradication of the infection. Given the most recent and highest quality evidence, the choice between Ciloxan and ofloxacin should be based on the specific characteristics of the infection, including the suspected or confirmed pathogen and the severity of the infection 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Comparison of Ciloxan and Ofloxacin
- Ciloxan is another name for ciprofloxacin, a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent 2.
- Ofloxacin is also a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, similar to ciprofloxacin 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Studies have compared the bactericidal activities of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium 3, 4, 5, 6.
Bactericidal Activity
- Ciprofloxacin has been shown to exhibit superior antipseudomonal activity compared to ofloxacin when used as monotherapy 3, 6.
- However, when combined with ceftazidime, both ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin have similar and statistically comparable activity profiles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3.
- Levofloxacin, another fluoroquinolone, has been shown to have better bactericidal activity than ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 4.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
- The pharmacokinetic profile of ofloxacin is more favorable than that of ciprofloxacin, with a higher peak concentration and longer elimination half-life 5.
- However, the intrinsic differences in antibiotic susceptibility against Pseudomonas aeruginosa may not be fully compensated by the more favorable pharmacokinetic profile of ofloxacin 5.
- The area under the inhibitory curve (AUIC) has been suggested as a better predictor of the efficacy of fluoroquinolones against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) 5.