One of the groups of broad-spectrum antibiotics is fluoroquinolones. These are quite effective antibacterial drugs that cause the cessation of growth and cell division of microorganisms. Therefore, all tablets, drops and ointments containing fluoroquinolones are widely used for various infections in adults and children. One of the most common drugs in this group is Ciprofarm. The instruction recommends its use in bacterial infections in ophthalmology and ENT practice. Assign it to adults and children after a year. But this is a fairly powerful drug that has contraindications and side effects. Therefore, in pharmacies only with a prescription, you can buy Ciprofarm. The instruction will help you figure out how to use it, and in which cases it is better not to use it.
Features of the drug
The main active ingredient of the drug is ciprofloxacin. Like all fluoroquinolones, it acts on the DNA of bacterial cells.
Therefore, it has a very effective effect. Most of all, Ciprofarm is active against gram-negative bacteria, even those that are resistant to other antibiotics. The drug acts locally, therefore, it is almost not absorbed and rarely causes systemic side effects. It accumulates in the tissues of the ear and eye fluids, cleansing them of microorganisms. Ciprofloxacin has a weak effect on
anaerobic bacteria, and fungi and viruses are also insensitive to it. Therefore, the question of the appropriateness of prescribing this particular drug can only be decided by a doctor.
In what form can I buy the drug?
Most often, Ciprofarm can be found in the form of drops intended for the treatment of eye and ear diseases. They are available in plastic bottles of 5 or 10 milliliters. In addition to the active substance itself, such drops contain additional components: sodium dihydrogen phosphate, benzalkonium chloride, sorbitol. Sometimes there is another form of the drug "Ciprofarm" - ointment. The instruction recommends using it mainly for the treatment of eye infections.
This is quite convenient: a pea of ointment is laid over the lower eyelid. The drug does not spread and therefore acts more efficiently. But the most commonly used drug is in the form of drops.
When is it used?
The tool is recommended to use:
- with acute bacterial external otitis media;
- with otitis media;
- with chronic suppurative otitis media;
- with ulcerative lesions of the cornea of the eye;
- with blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis;
- keratitis and keraconjunctivitis;
- for the prevention of bacterial infections during surgical interventions in the ear cavity and in ophthalmology.
In some cases, doctors prescribe Ciprofarm to drip into the nose. This helps with otitis media, and in the presence of adenoids. These drops well destroy bacterial microflora in the nasopharynx cavity, which is associated with the middle ear.
Side effects
Especially often, negative reactions occur to Ciprofarm eye drops. Instructions for use describe them as slight discomfort, a foreign body sensation in the eye, itching and redness of the cornea. Side effects such as decreased visual acuity, swelling of the eyelids, lacrimation and photophobia are very rare.
There are negative effects after instillation of Ciprofarm drops in the ear. The instruction notes that most often it is itching in the external auditory canal, sometimes tinnitus or soreness in the region of the eardrum can be observed. With improper use of the drug, there may be systemic side effects:
- allergic reactions, up to anaphylactic shock;
- urticaria, rash, or dermatitis;
- nausea or vomiting;
- unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- headaches.
Can everyone use the drug?
Usually, Ciprofarm is well tolerated by all patients. The instruction for use notes that it is contraindicated only for those who have individual intolerance to the components of the drug. In addition, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is also not recommended to use these drops. Ciprofarm is used for children quite often, although some instructions indicate that it is contraindicated in patients under 15 years of age. But in any case, without the appointment of a doctor, they do not use such strong antibiotics, especially for young children. After all, you still need to know what the cause of inflammation is, since in case of viral and fungal diseases such drugs can pass only worse, exacerbating the disease.
Ciprofarm: eye drops
The instruction recommends using the tool for various bacterial infections in ophthalmology. Usually it is used 4 times a day, instilling 1-2 drops in each conjunctival sac. In severe cases, it is permissible to use Ciprofarm eye drops for the first two days every two hours.
A special treatment regimen is indicated for corneal ulcers. In this case, the drug is dripped in 2 drops: the first 6 hours every 15 minutes, then until the end of the day every 30 minutes. On the second day of treatment, you need to do this every hour. Further - according to the usual scheme, “Tsiprofarm” is dripped. The instructions for use recommend that, after installing the drug, close the eyelids tightly to reduce the likelihood of rapid absorption of ciprofloxacin in the blood and the appearance of side effects. Treatment with the drug should not last longer than two weeks, but usually seven days is enough. What else do you need to know for those who use Ciprofarm (eye drops)? The instruction does not recommend using contact lenses during treatment. And if this cannot be avoided, then you need to remove them before instillation, and insert them no earlier than after 15 minutes.
"Ciprofarm" for the treatment of otitis media
The drug is used for external and moderate acute bacterial otitis media. Even advanced inflammation, which cannot be treated with other antibacterial drops, disappears after the patient begins to drip Ciprofarm (ear drops). The instruction recommends doing this 4 drops twice a day. If the patient is shown the use of tampons in the ears, during the first application the dose can be doubled. When instilling, the patient should lie on his side.
After installation, it is recommended to remain in this position for another 10 minutes. Sometimes the treatment is that they do not drip Ciprofarm. The instruction allows you to enter the medicine by wetting the gauze swabs and inserting them into the external auditory meatus. They change 2 times a day. Do not continue treatment for longer than 10 days, otherwise bacterial microflora resistant to antibiotics may develop.
Application features
- When using the drug, do not touch the tip of the bottle to the skin, eyelids or external auditory meatus so that it does not become contaminated by bacteria.
- Before instilling the drug in the ear, it is necessary to warm the bottle in the hand for some time.
- Sometimes photosensitization phenomena, that is, sensitivity to sunlight, may be observed during the use of the drug. It is recommended in this case to stop using Ciprofarm.
- In case of overdose, prolonged or frequent use of the drug without a doctor's prescription, it is possible to develop microflora insensitive to antibiotics.
- Ciprofarm drops are incompatible with alkaline solutions, therefore, only a doctor can prescribe complex treatment with several drugs. And in any case, at least 15 minutes should elapse between instillation of two drugs.
- After opening the bottle, you can use drops only for 4 weeks.
Tsiprofarm for children
The instruction recommends using the drug only for a child older than a year. In pediatric practice, these drops are often prescribed for various bacterial infections, because they are usually well tolerated. The dose for a small child up to 12 years of age should be reduced: no more than 3 drops are taken 2 times a day in the ear, and 1-2 drops in the eye. Doctors prescribe the drug for babies from birth in the treatment of an ophthalmic disease, and for otitis media only after a year.
This is because Ciprofarm is quite safe, but effective. Instructions for children in the nose recommend dripping it as an adjuvant for otitis media, laryngitis or the presence of adenoids. Very well, it cleanses the nasopharynx cavity from bacterial microflora and quickly helps relieve inflammation. The drug is usually well tolerated, but in any case, it should be used only as directed by the doctor.
Reviews about the drug
With eye and ear infections, Ciprofarm is quite effective. Doctors often prescribe it, since it is well tolerated and rarely causes side effects. Patients dripping Ciprofarm note that earache disappears on the second day, and redness and itching quickly disappear with eye infections. In some cases, especially with otitis media in young children, the drug is prescribed for instillation into the nose. So it is tolerated better, but does not become less effective. But there are also negative reviews. Some patients note that "Ciprofarm" does not help, and when instilled into the nose, it strongly dries the mucous membrane and causes a burning sensation. But most often this effect is associated with the use of the drug without a doctor's prescription. Most likely, the inflammation in this case was caused not by bacteria, but by viruses or fungi. But the cause of this may also be individual intolerance to ciprofloxacin. Therefore, the drug can be used only as directed by a doctor.