VIGAMOX (MOXIFLOXACIN)

Vigamox Description

Bacterial conjunctivitis, also called pink-eye, is a common condition among young children. This is due to their close contact with other children or siblings and their forgetfulness at washing their hands frequently as pink-eye is spread through hand-to-eye contact with an infected person as well as objects that have been handled by an infected person. Your doctor or pediatrician may recommend treating the bacterial infection with a prescription for Vigamox, from the family of quinolone drugs.

How This Bactericidal Drug Works

The active ingredient of these ophthalmic eye drops is called Moxifloxacin. When instilled as directed, Moxifloxacin works by entering the bacterial cells and obstructing an enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This enzyme is essential for the replication and repair of the bacterial genetic material so if it is not accessible, the bacteria die as a result.

It is important that your doctor rules out that this infection is not viral before using Vigamox as you will not benefit from the Moxifloxacin and the infection can spread to others while you or your child is still experiencing red, itchy, inflamed eyes. If the bacterial conjunctivitis is caused by allergens or environmental irritants, you or your child are not contagious. Hand washing is your best defense against transmitting or becoming infected with bacterial conjunctivitis.

Conditions Treated by Vigamox

Having bacterial conjunctivitis for a child can be somewhat difficult to handle as far as restricting contact with others, which is why it is usually recommended that your child not go to school or day care until the infection has cleared up. For teens and adults that wear contact lenses, bacterial infections can be common due to improper handling of the lenses. If bacteria become trapped under your contacts and your eye or eyes feel like there is something gritty in them or your conjunctiva is red and itchy, see an ophthalmologist to be certain you receive treatment before your vision is permanently impaired. Your conjunctiva is the transparent mucus membrane that lines the inside of your eyelids and covers the front of your eye.

Before You Use Vigamox

It is unknown if Vigamox is harmful to an unborn or nursing baby, so tell your doctor right away if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are nursing a baby. Discuss any current medical conditions and allergies you have and all OTC and Rx drugs you are taking, including vitamin supplements and herbal remedies, so your doctor can determine if Vigamox is the right medicine for your situation.

Proper Use of Vigamox

If you wear contact lenses, remove them before instilling Vigamox ophthalmic drops and wait at least 15 minutes before putting them back in. Be mindful not to touch the dropper to your infected eye as it can cause contamination and possibly spread to your other eye.

You should not drive or operate machinery immediately following your dose of Vigamox as it can cause your vision to be temporarily impaired. If you are administering other ophthalmic drops for reasons unrelated to bacterial conjunctivitis, ask your doctor how far apart to administer them before or after Vigamox.

Possible Side Effects of Vigamox

• Change in vision
• Eye discharge
• Eye pain or dryness
• Swelling of your eye or eyelid