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Vigamox Eye Drops

Generic name: moxifloxacin ophthalmicMOX-i-FLOX-a-sin ]
Brand name: Vigamox
Drug class: Ophthalmic anti-infectives

Medically reviewed by Kaci Durbin, MD. Last updated on Oct 2, 2023.

What is Vigamox?

Vigamox eye drops are used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye; infection of the membrane that covers the outside of the eyeballs and the inside of the eyelids).

You should not use this Vigamox if you have a fungal or viral infection in your eyes (including herpes simplex).

Moxifloxacin belomgs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. Vigamox works by killing the bacteria that cause infection.

Vigamox side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Vigamox may cause serious side effects. Stop using Vigamox eye drops and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Vigamox side effects include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Do not use Vigamox eye drops if you have a viral or fungal infection in the eye. It is used to treat infections caused by bacteria only.

Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or other similar medicines in the past. Medicines similar to Vigamox include gatifloxacin ophthalmic (Zymar), gatifloxacin (Tequin), ciprofloxacin ophthalmic (Ciloxan), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ofloxacin ophthalmic (Ocuflox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin ophthalmic (Chibroxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin ophthalmic (Quixin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and moxifloxacin (Avelox).

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Vigamox if you are allergic to moxifloxacin or similar medicines such as:

Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I use Vigamox?

Use Vigamox eye drops exactly as prescribed by your doctor Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Keep using this medicine even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses could make your infection resistant to medication. Vigamox will not treat a viral infection.

Wash your hands before using eye medication.

To apply the eye drops: Pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket and squeeze a drop into this pocket. Close your eyes for 1 or 2 minutes.

Use only the prescribed number of drops.

Do not touch the dropper tip or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye and lead to serious vision problems.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Do not use this medicine longer than prescribed.

Store at room temperature, in an upright position and tightly closed. Do not freeze.

Dosing Instructions

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

Moxeza(R): Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day.
Vigamox: Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times a day.

Duration of therapy: 7 days

Use: For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis due to susceptible strains of:
-Moxeza(R): Aerococcus viridans, Corynebacterium macginleyi, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus arlettae, S aureus, S capitis, S epidermidis, S haemolyticus, S hominis, S saprophyticus, S warneri, Streptococcus mitis, S pneumoniae, S parasanguinis, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Propionibacterium acnes, Chlamydia trachomatis
-Vigamox: Corynebacterium species, M luteus, S aureus, S epidermidis, S haemolyticus, S hominis, S warneri, S pneumoniae, Streptococcus (viridans group), Acinetobacter lwoffii, H influenzae, H parainfluenzae, C trachomatis

Usual Pediatric Dose for Bacterial Conjunctivitis:

Moxeza(R):
-Aged 4 months or older: Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) twice a day.

Vigamox: Instill 1 drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times a day.

Duration of therapy: 7 days

Use: For the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis due to susceptible strains of:
-Moxeza(R): A viridans, C macginleyi, E faecalis, M luteus, S arlettae, S aureus, S capitis, S epidermidis, S haemolyticus, S hominis, S saprophyticus, S warneri, S mitis, S pneumoniae, S parasanguinis, E coli, H influenzae, K pneumoniae, P acnes, C trachomatis
-Vigamox: Corynebacterium species, M luteus, S aureus, S epidermidis, S haemolyticus, S hominis, S warneri, S pneumoniae, Streptococcus (viridans group), A lwoffii, H influenzae, H parainfluenzae, C trachomatis

What happens if I miss a dose?

Apply the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not apply two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.

What should I avoid while using Vigamox?

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid wearing contact lenses until you no longer have an eye infection. Ask your doctor how long you should wait before putting your lenses in.

What other drugs will affect Vigamox?

Medicine used in the eyes is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: moxifloxacin
Inactive ingredients: boric acid, purified water, and sodium chloride. May also contain hydrochloric acid/sodium hydroxide to adjust pH to approximately 6.8.

Manufacturer

Distributed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, New Jersey 07936, USA.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Vigamox only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.