Zymaxid

Zymaxid is a prescription medication used to treat certain bacterial infections of the eye. Zymaxid belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. These antibacterial drugs work to treat eye infections by killing certain susceptible bacteria.

This medication comes in eyedrop form and is typically administered during waking hours into the affected eye(s) every two hours on the first day, then two to four times daily for the next 6 days.

Common side effects of Zymaxid include redness and irritation of the eye, dry eyes, and taste disturbances. 

Zymaxid is a prescription medication used to treat bacterial eye infections caused by susceptible bacteria.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Allergan, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Zymaxid. See the “Zymaxid Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Zymaxid include the following:

• irritation of the eye
• eye pain
• dry eyes
• swelling of the eyelids
• headache
• increased tear production
• impaired vision
• taste disturbances

This is not a complete list of Zymaxid side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been studied or identified by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Zymaxid including the following:

Growth of resistant organisms. As with all anti-infective medications, prolonged use may result in the overgrowth of resistant organisms, including fungi. This may lead to infections that are more difficult to treat. Follow your physician's instructions for use exactly and notify them if your infection appears to not be adequately treated by Zymaxid after 7 days of treatment.

Zymaxid can also impair vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Zymaxid affects you.

Do not take Zymaxid if you:

• are allergic to Zymaxid or to any of its ingredients 
• wear contact lenses

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Zymaxid, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Zymaxid, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Zymaxid or to any of its ingredients
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
• wear contact lenses
• have frequent eye infections
• have any immune-system suppressing conditions such as HIV/AIDS
• are currently using any other eyedrop medications or other antibacterial medications

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Zymaxid falls into category C. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in pregnant women. Zymaxid should be used during pregnancy only if the possible benefit outweighs the possible risk to the unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Zymaxid crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Zymaxid.

Take Zymaxid exactly as prescribed.

Zymaxid comes in eyedrop form and is typically administered during waking hours into the affected eye(s) every two hours on the first day, then two to four times daily for the next six days.

Avoid contaminating the applicator tip with material from the eye, fingers, or other sources. Never touch the tip of the applicator or allow it to come into contact with any surfaces.

Do not wear contact lenses during treatment with Zymaxid.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Zymaxid at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication
• your age

The recommended dose of Zymaxid for the treatment of bacterial eye infections caused by susceptible bacteria is one drop administered into the affected eye(s) every two hours on the first day during waking hours, then two to four times daily for the next six days for a total of seven days of treatment.

If you take too much Zymaxid, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at 15°-25°C (59°-77°F)
• Protect from freezing
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children