Besivance

Besifloxacin, also known and sold under the trade name of Besivance, belongs to a group of drugs known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It is used in the treatment of infections in the eye, such as bacterial conjunctivitis.

It works by killing the bacteria that cause conjunctivitis and with that stopping the growth of the bacteria.

Before the decision to start the treatment with Besifloxacin is made, it is essential to get informed about the expected beneficial effects, as well as about the potential side effects and risks.

For the decision to be made, it is essential the beneficial effects to outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together will have to make. During the consultations with your doctor, it is important to inform the doctor about:

• Allergies – Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific type of food, dye, fabric and etc.
• Pediatric – Proper studies have not shown any age-connected risks when this product is used within pediatric patients. This product can be safely used within pediatric patients. However, safety has not been established when the product is used within children younger than 1 year of age.
• Geriatric – Proper studies have not shown any age-connected risks when this product is used within geriatric patients. This product can be safely used within geriatric patients.
• Pregnancy – Inform your doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies that would confirm the safety of this medicine to be used during pregnancy. Because of this, this product should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Breastfeeding – Inform your doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. It is unknown if this medicine is extracted in the milk or not. There are no studies that would confirm the safety of this medicine to be used within nursing mothers. Because of this, this product should be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.
• Drug interactions – Inform your doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications should not be used in a combination with other medications, because of the possibility that interactions could occur. But, sometimes the doctor may prescribed a certain type of a combination including two or more medications that could prove as efficient to your condition.
• Other interactions – Certain types of medications should not be used in a combination with certain types of food, tobacco and/or alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow any specific diet, and/or discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment.
• Other medical problems – Inform your doctor about your medical history, any other medical problems and conditions present in the past or at the moment.

For proper use get directions from your doctor. This medicine is in the form of a suspension. Wash your hands with warm water and soap before you apply the medicine.

In order to avoid contamination, do not touch the tip of the bottle to the eye. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them before you apply the medicine. This is important because they could absorb the medicine and that way they would decrease the benefits from its use.

Shake the bottle and tilt you head backwards. Gently, pull the skin under the lower eyelid and drop the medicine in this space. Keep the eye closed for 1 to 2 minutes. If you are using other eye medications (e.g. ointments), apply the eye drops first and then the ointment. This would allow the eye to absorb the drops before the ointment is applied.

The dose is based on your condition and the prognosis of the treatment. The dose is individual for every patient. The usual dose is one drop, twice a day. To get the most benefits from the medicine, use it regularly.

If you forget to apply a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. Do not double it to catch up. If the time for the next one is near, wait and apply the next one. This product is harmful if swallowed. If swallowing is suspected, contact your doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

Visit your doctor at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any needed adjustments. These adjustments may be in regard to the dose, e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease it, or to the treatment itself, e.g. the doctor may decide to discontinue the treatment if there are serious side effects present or there is no noticeable progress of the treatment.

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medication, prescribed or no prescribed. This is important because the product may contain inactive substances that could cause interactions to occur.

Inform you doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. This medication should not be used during pregnancy due to the lack of studies that would prove if this medication is safe to be used during pregnancy. The doctor will probably advise you to use a proven form of birth control in order to prevent pregnancy during the treatment.

Inform your doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. This medication should not be used within nursing mothers due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication.

Remember to remove your contacted lenses (if used) before every application. After applying this medication, you may experience some vision changes, e.g. blurred vision. You should avoid driving and any other activities that require clear vision.

Along with the expected beneficial effects, there is the possibility that certain side effects could occur. These side effects do not appear within all patients. Also, they could be mild or more serious. However, it is important that you get informed about the potential side effects so that you would be able to recognize their appearance and inform the doctor as soon as possible for further directions.

The appearance of some side effects may be just the result of your body trying to adjust to the present of the medicine. These side effects usually are mild and disappear with time. But, if these side effects become more severe inform the doctor. E.g. temporary eye redness/itching/pain, blurred vision, headache.

A very serious allergic reaction is less common. But, if you notice any of the following side effects, inform the doctor right away – skin rash, itching/swelling of the hands, feet, face, tongue, trouble breathing, and severe dizziness.