"Phloxal" is an antibacterial (antimicrobial) medicine that is used in the treatment of a variety of eye diseases.
Ofloxacin, an active ingredient in Phloxal, is an antibiotic that belongs to the fluoroquinolone group. Under its influence, the activity and reproduction of staphylococci, gonococci, salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, streptococci, chlamydia, spirochetes, plague sticks, mycoplasmas, legionella, meningococci and many other pathogenic microorganisms are inhibited.
The instruction to "Phloxal" indicates that there is no toxic effect on the body with local use of the medication. The substance is able to penetrate into breast milk in small amounts.
The therapeutic effect when using the drug develops quickly, lasts a long time.
Pharmacological forms
The manufacturer produces the drug in two pharmacological forms - in the form of an eye ointment and drops intended for instillation into the eyes:
- According to the instructions, drops "Floksal" represent a solution having a concentration of the active component of 0.3%. The solution is clear, has a slightly yellowish color. Drops are packed in dropper bottles made of plastic. Each milliliter of the solution contains ofloxacin in an amount of 3 mg. As auxiliary components are used: injection water, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, benzalkonium chloride.
- "Phloxal" in the form of ointment for the eyes also has a concentration of 0.3%. Thus, in each gram of ointment there are 3 mg of the active component. The ointment is packaged in tubes of aluminum, each of which holds 3 grams of the product. As auxiliary components in the manufacture of ointments are used: white petrolatum, lanolin, liquid paraffin. The ointment has a uniform consistency and a slightly yellowish color.
"Phloxal" in any pharmacological form should be stored in a place where the temperature will not exceed 25 degrees Celsius. After opening the factory packaging, whether it is a tube or a bottle, the drug retains its therapeutic properties for only 6 weeks.
Indications for use
The instruction to "Phloxal" recommends it for use by patients in the following cases:
- If therapy or prophylaxis is necessary for bacterial infections that develop after surgery or injury.
- With chlamydial infections of the eyes.
- If dacryocystitis is diagnosed, which is an inflammatory process localized in the lacrimal sac.
- With barley, which is a purulent inflammatory process of the sebaceous gland, the edges of the eyelid. Ciliary follicles are sometimes involved in the inflammatory process.
- With blepharitis, which is an inflammatory process at the edges of the eyelids.
- With corneal ulcer.
- With keratitis (inflammation in the cornea of the eye).
- With conjunctivitis (the inflammatory process affects the mucous membrane of the eyelids).
Contraindications
Not recommended "Phloxal" for use in the following cases:
- With individual hyperresponsiveness of any component that is in the composition of the ointment or drops.
- During pregnancy, throughout the entire period of lactation. The restriction is due to the lack of data confirming the safety of the drug in relation to the fetus or child.
Side effects
As indicated by the instructions to "Phloxal", against the background of the use of the medication, some negative effects may occur and develop. Among them:
- Allergic reactions.
- Visual impairment, rarely dizziness.
- Excessive lacrimation.
- Photophobia.
- Mild burning and itching in the eye area.
- Discomfort in the eyes.
- Short redness.
- Conjunctivitis.
Drug use
When using Phloxal eye drops according to the instructions, it is important to adhere to a few simple rules. The drug is instilled into the lower conjunctival ocular sac. First you need to wash your hands, unpack the bottle in which the drops are, shake it. After that, you should pull the lower eyelid down with your fingers and, by clicking on the bottle, make an instillation.
When using Phloxal ointment, it should also be placed in the lower conjunctival eye sac. The manipulation of laying the ointment is similar - also a preliminary pulling of the lower eyelid to the bottom is also required. After the completion of the eye-laying manipulation, it is necessary to close and then move the eyeball. This is required for uniform distribution of the drug within the cavity of the eye.
If the patient is shown the use of several types of eye drops at once, then the interval between instillation of two funds should be about 5 minutes. With the parallel use of drops and ointments, drops should be used first, and after a while - ointment.
For the period of Phloxal therapy, the patient is advised to refuse to wear contact lenses. The risk of developing such a negative effect as photophobia can be minimized if you avoid places with bright lighting, and in the summer use sunglasses.
Shortly, immediately after using the drug, the patient may experience a slight visual impairment. During such periods, experts recommend abandoning the management of any type of transport and performing work that is associated with potentially dangerous equipment. These restrictions are immediately removed as soon as the visual impairment disappears.
Instructions for use with drops of "Phloxal" recommends using them no more than 4 times a day. In each affected eye, 1 drop is instilled. "Phloxal" in the form of ointment should be placed in the eye no more than three times a day. A single dosage is considered to be a column extruded from a tube up to 1.5 cm long.
If the patient is diagnosed with chlamydial infection, then an increase in the frequency of doses to 5 per day is shown.
The simultaneous use of ointment and drops of "Phloxal" is allowed, while drops are recommended to be used, for example, during the day, and the ointment should be placed in the eye before bedtime.
The period of treatment with any form of medication should not last more than two weeks.
Consider the instructions for "Phloxal" for children.
Use in the treatment of children
A special form of "Phloxal", intended for the treatment of eye diseases in children, does not exist. Therefore, children's ophthalmology uses the same drugs that are intended for adults.
Allowed the appointment of “Phloxal” for children of all ages, including newborns. Indications for use are similar to indications for adult patients - treatment of diseases of the anterior parts of the eyes, which are of an infectious and inflammatory nature and provoked by pathogens sensitive to ofloxacin.
The instructions for Phloxal must be strictly followed.
The duration of therapy and the required dosage should be determined by a pediatric ophthalmologist. The tool can be used no more than two weeks. The usual dose for children is 1 drop for each affected eye. Burying should be done four times a day. When applying the ointment in a single dosage for a child, a column of 1 cm length is considered. The ointment should be laid three times a day.
After manipulating the administration of the ointment, the child should close his eye and gently distribute it evenly over the entire surface with light finger presses.
When using several eye medications, the ointment should be laid last.
In children, as in adults, negative effects of the drug may occur.
Use for the treatment of barley
Barley is a purulent infectious and inflammatory process localized at the edge of the eyelids. In this regard, the use of "Phloxal" for the treatment of this disease is advisable. The drug has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect. The dosage of the drug in the treatment of barley is similar to the dosage used in the treatment of other similar inflammations. Instructions for use with Phloxal confirms this.
Analogs
The main analogues of Phloxal for the active component are: Ofloxacin ointment for ophthalmic use, Uniflox, Dancil eye drops.
The mechanism of action and therapeutic effect similar to Phloxal is found in the following drugs: Sulfacil Sodium, Oftaquix, Levomycetin, Albutsid, Tobrex, Normax, Tsipromed.
Cost
In Russian pharmacies, the retail cost of a drug may depend on the region of sale, as well as on the pricing policy of the pharmaceutical outlet. On average, any form of the drug will cost the buyer 270 rubles. This is not indicated in the instructions.
Reviews about Phloxal
Reviews about the drug in recent times are increasingly common. Patients note its high effectiveness in the treatment of inflammatory processes in the eyes, accessibility. In addition, against the background of the use of the drug, negative consequences rarely develop, and if they arise, their severity is extremely weak. Separately noted such a positive side of the drug as the possibility of use in the treatment of children and newborns.
Sometimes you can find neutral reviews about the use of "Phloxal", where patients claim the uselessness of the medication. However, there is no information on whether or not a test for the sensitivity of the pathogen to ofloxacin was performed.
Another disadvantage of the drug is a short storage period after unpacking the factory packaging, as well as a ban on use by pregnant women.
Despite the fact that most of the reviews found are positive, it is important to remember that the appointment of the drug should be carried out by a doctor. Self-treatment can aggravate the disease and cause unwanted effects.
We have reviewed the instructions for use for the drops of "Phloxal".