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Drugs A–Z

Besifloxacin

Besifloxacin is a prescription medicine (Quinolone Antimicrobial). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Prescription only (Rx)
Brand names
Besivance
Drug class
Quinolone Antimicrobial
Taken
Ophthalmic
Label
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc., revised January 12, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
Generic
No · details

What it is used for

Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates of the following bacteria: Aerococcus viridans * CDC coryneform group G Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum* Corynebacterium striatum* Haemophilus influenzae Moraxella catarrhalis* Moraxella lacunata* Pseudomonas aeruginosa* Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus epidermidis Staphylococcus hominis* Staphylococcus lugdunensis* Staphylococcus warneri* Streptococcus mitis group Streptococcus oralis Streptococcus pneumoniae Streptococcus salivarius * *Efficacy for this organism was studied in fewer than 10 infections. Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% is a quinolone antimicrobial indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible isolates of the following bacteria: Aerococcus viridans*, CDC coryneform group G, Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum*, Corynebacterium striatum*, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis*, Moraxella lacunata*, Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis*, Staphylococcus lugdunensis*, Staphylococcus warneri*, Streptococcus mitis group , Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus salivarius* *Efficacy for this organism was studied in fewer than 10 infections. ( 1 )

Forms and strengths

Ophthalmic suspension containing 6 mg/mL (0.6%) of besifloxacin. Ophthalmic suspension: besifloxacin 6 mg/mL (0.6%) ( 3 )

Who should not take it (contraindications)

None. None. ( 4 )

Warnings and precautions

Not for Injection into the Eye ( 5.1 ) Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use ( 5.2 ) Avoidance of Contact Lenses: Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or during the course of therapy with besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension. ( 5.3 )

5.1 Not for Injection into the Eye

5.2 Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use As with other anti-infectives, prolonged use of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms, including fungi. If super-infection occurs, discontinue use and institute alternative therapy. Whenever clinical judgment dictates, the patient should be examined with the aid of magnification, such as slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and, where appropriate, fluorescein staining.

5.3 Avoidance of Contact Lenses Patients should not wear contact lenses if they have signs or symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis or during the course of therapy with besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension.

Side effects (adverse reactions)

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The data described below reflect exposure to besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension in approximately 1,000 patients between 1 and 98 years old with clinical signs and symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis. The most frequently reported ocular adverse reaction was conjunctival redness, reported in approximately 2% of patients. Other adverse reactions reported in patients receiving besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension occurring in approximately 1-2% of patients included: blurred vision, eye pain, eye irritation, eye pruritus and headache. The most common adverse reaction reported in 2% of patients treated with besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension was conjunctival redness. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Bausch & Lomb Incorporated at 1-800-553-5340 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no available human data for the use of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension during pregnancy to inform any drug-associated risks; however, systemic exposure to besifloxacin from ocular administration is low [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3 )] . Oral administration of besifloxacin to pregnant rats during organogenesis or during the prenatal and postnatal period did not produce adverse embryofetal or offspring effects at clinically relevant systemic exposures [see Data ] . Data Animal Data In an embryofetal development study in rats, the administration of besifloxacin at oral doses up to 1,000 mg/kg/day during organogenesis was not associated with visceral or skeletal malformations in rat fetuses, although this dose was associated with maternal toxicity (reduced body weight gain and food consumption) and maternal mortality. Increased post-implantation loss, decreased fetal body weights, and decreased fetal ossification were also observed. At this dose, the mean C max in the rat dams was approximately 20 mcg/mL, approximately 46,500 times the mean plasma concentrations measured in humans at the recommended human ophthalmic dose (RHOD). The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) for this embryofetal development study was 100 mg/kg/day (C max , 5 mcg/mL, approximately 11,600 times the mean plasma concentrations measured in humans at the RHOD). In a prenatal and postnatal development study in rats, the NOAELs for both fetal/neonate and maternal toxicity were 100 mg/kg/day. At 1,000 mg/kg/day, pups weighed significantly less than controls and had a reduced neonatal survival rate. Attainment of developmental landmarks and sexual maturation was delayed, although surviving pups from this dose group that were reared to maturity did not demonstrate deficits in behavior, including activity, learning and memory, and their reproductive capacity appeared normal.

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. However, systemic exposure to besifloxacin following topical ocular administration is low [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , and it is not known whether measurable levels of besifloxacin would be present in maternal milk following topical ocular administration. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered, along with the mother’s clinical need for besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension, and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension.

8.4 Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension in infants below one year of age have not been established. The efficacy of besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension in treating bacterial conjunctivitis in pediatric patients one year or older has been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. There is no evidence that the ophthalmic administration of quinolones has any effect on weight-bearing joints, even though systemic administration of some quinolones has been shown to cause arthropathy in immature animals.

8.5 Geriatric Use No overall differences in safety and effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients.

How it works

Besifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial [see Microbiology ( 12.4 )] .

Is there a generic Besifloxacin?

No. The FDA has not approved a generic version yet.

Brand-name versions

Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Besifloxacin in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

No recalls matched to this medicine in FDA enforcement reports from the last 3 years (or older ones still open). Search all recalls

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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID ff971287-5610-4f15-8392-fc974e6ff646.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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