Can I take cold medicine when using Ciprofloxacin eye drops?

Ciprofloxacin eye drops is good for bacterial aye infections. It is an antibiotic class of medicine.

The eyes are very sensitive organs for human beings. When some bacteria or virus gets in contact with your eyes, you will have eye infections. The virus or bacteria that are present on your skin can eye infections when they enter the eyes. You will use your hands for cleaning or rub your eyes with the hands that already have viruses or bacteria on them. In some cases, the virus or bacteria that is causing the infection may not be present in your body. It enters your body when you get in touch with someone having bacteria or virus on their body. Like when you shake hands or sit with them, the bacteria get transferred. So, you need to be very careful. Ciprofloxacin eye drops are a medicine that helps in treating eye infections caused due to bacterial infections. 

Areas of eye infection:

Eye infection can be caused in different areas of the human eye. Usually, eye infection happens in three areas of the eye, which is:

• Cornea infection
• Eyelids
• Conjunctiva 

How to identify an eye infection?

It is very important for you to identify eye infections at an early stage. When you identify the infection, you will be able to get started with the medication Ciprofloxacin eye drops. That will help in reducing the infection faster and get relief from the symptoms. So, what symptoms should you look for?

• Pain in the eyes
• Swollen eyes
• Redness of eyes
• Discharge from eyes
• When eyes become sensitive to light
• Watery eyes
• Dryness in the eyes
• Itching sensation in the eyes
• When vision becomes blurred

This is just a very small list of symptoms that you may come across. But any kind of sensitivity or irritation in the eyes should be a sign. You need to talk to the doctor immediately for help. Some people experience just one symptom at a time or they can be a combination of symptoms. 

Why use Ciprofloxacin eye drops for treating eye infections?

Ciprofloxacin eye drops belong to the antibiotic medication class. That means you will be able to get relief from the symptoms of bacterial eye infections. The further growth of the bacteria that is causing eye infection will be controlled by this drug. It has Ciprofloxacin as the main ingredient. The dividing and multiplying of the bacteria will be stopped by the medicine. So, you need to use it well in advance if you wish to see good results. 

How should you take this drug Ciprofloxacin eye drops?

When you are using Ciprofloxacin eye drops, you will have to follow the instructions of your doctor. Once you buy the eye drops, you need to read the complete instructions on the medicine. That will help to a maximum in gathering the details about the usage of the medicine. Wash your hands well before you start using the drops. Take the medicine only with the help of the dropper and squeeze it. Take the dropper close to the eyes for using it well. Do not touch the dropper with your hands directly. You should not let the dropper touch anywhere on the face or the eyes. You will have to put back the dropper in the eye drops bottle. Touching any external surface may transfer the bacteria into the bottle through the dropper. Any excess medicine should be wiped with the help of cotton cloth or tissue. 

What can increase the chances of eye infection or further development of the infection?

There can be several factors that increase the risk of eye infections. Even when you are using Ciprofloxacin eye drops, you need to take care of certain things. That will help in reducing the risk of an eye infection. 

• Any allergies that can cause inflammation of the eyes
• When you don’t clean your contact lens properly before using them. 
• If you are sitting close or getting in touch with someone having an eye infection. 
• If there is any irritation in the eyes, it can lead to eye infection or flare up the existing infection. 
• If you share your personal items like makeup, cosmetics, and even linens. 
• Irritation caused due to common cold. 

These can be very simple factors but they can also flare up the infection in your body. 

Are there any risks associated with eye infections?

Eye infection means a microorganism like bacteria or virus entering the eyes. Usually, medicines like Ciprofloxacin eye drops will be able to control the problem easily. But sometimes, there are a few risks associated with an eye infection. So, what are those risks?

• The growth of eyelashes is reduced causing irritation. 
• Vision impairment can be caused
• The infection may get severe and serious. 
• The worst risk is loss of vision. You may become blind. 

All this can be seen only when the eye infection is left untreated. You will have to use the right medicine for treating eye infections. Also, it is important to treat the condition on time. When you neglect the condition expecting it to get under control by itself, then you may have the above-mentioned risks. 

How long does it take for the medicine to work on an eye infection?

After taking Ciprofloxacin eye drops, it will start showing results in just no time. But for the infection to reduce completely, it will take a week at least. The duration of using the drug will depend on the severity of the infection. Even after the symptoms fade off, you will have to continue the use for at least two to three days. That way, you will be able to get rid of the infection completely. 

Is it safe to take cold medicine while using Ciprofloxacin eye drops?

If you are already using Ciprofloxacin eye drops, then taking cold medicine is not a problem. Irritation caused due to the common cold can worsen the infection and hence treating the cold is important. But there are certain medicines that may show interactions when used with this medicine. You will have to be very careful while using any medicine. So, ask your health expert about which medicines should not be combined with these eye drops. Or to make it simple, you can tell the complete list of medicines that you are already using. That makes the process simple. You can avoid medicines that are not good for you. 

When to see a health care professional?

Sometimes, you may have to consult your health care professional even when you are using Ciprofloxacin eye drops. That is when the medicine is not showing any good results. Or when the symptoms of eye infection are getting worse and causing irritation. So, just talk to the health professional and get your right dose or ask for a change of medication.

Overall, these eye drops are prescribed by many doctors. Ear infections can also be treated with these drops. The process of usage remains the same but talk to your doctor once before you start using it for ear infections. You can understand the small changes that are required when using for eye and ear infection treatment. It does not show any major side effects and that is the best part about this drug.