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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

BESIFLOXACIN: 357 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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357
Total FAERS Reports
47 (13.2%)
Deaths Reported
68
Hospitalizations
357
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
6
Disabilities
May 28, 2009
FDA Approved
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
Manufacturer
Prescription
Status

Drug Class: Quinolone Antimicrobial [EPC] · Route: OPHTHALMIC · Manufacturer: Bausch & Lomb Incorporated · FDA Application: 022308 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available

Patent Expires: Nov 7, 2030 · First Report: 2012 · Latest Report: 20250829

What Are the Most Common BESIFLOXACIN Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Hypersensitivity
64 reports (17.9%)
#2 Most Reported
Off label use
61 reports (17.1%)
#3 Most Reported
Vision blurred
48 reports (13.4%)

All BESIFLOXACIN Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Hypersensitivity 64 17.9% 46 64
Off label use 61 17.1% 0 0
Vision blurred 48 13.5% 0 0
Cardiac disorder 46 12.9% 46 46
Eye irritation 45 12.6% 0 0
Eye pain 37 10.4% 0 0
Ocular hyperaemia 27 7.6% 0 0
Intentional product use issue 22 6.2% 0 1
Foreign body sensation in eyes 21 5.9% 0 0
Product use in unapproved indication 20 5.6% 0 1
Photophobia 19 5.3% 0 0
Eye swelling 18 5.0% 0 0
Drug ineffective 15 4.2% 0 0
Eye discharge 15 4.2% 0 0
Medication residue present 15 4.2% 0 0
Product quality issue 15 4.2% 0 0
Visual impairment 13 3.6% 0 0
Eye pruritus 11 3.1% 0 0
Product physical consistency issue 11 3.1% 0 0
Pruritus 11 3.1% 0 0

Who Reports BESIFLOXACIN Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 53.3% female, 46.7% male. Average age: 62.5 years. Most reports from: US. View detailed demographics →

Is BESIFLOXACIN Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2012 13 0 0
2013 9 0 0
2014 26 0 0
2015 20 0 1
2016 28 0 0
2017 36 0 0
2018 23 0 0
2019 18 0 1
2020 12 0 0
2021 10 0 0
2022 8 0 0
2023 3 0 0
2024 1 0 0
2025 1 0 0

View full timeline →

What Is BESIFLOXACIN Used For?

IndicationReports
Product used for unknown indication 134
Postoperative care 74
Preoperative care 53
Cataract operation 27
Eye infection 23
Off label use 18
Product use in unapproved indication 14
Conjunctivitis 13
Conjunctivitis bacterial 8
Infection 7

BESIFLOXACIN vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

BESIFLOXACIN vs BETA CAROTENE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETA GLUCAN BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAHISTINE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAINE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE\BETAMETHASONE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE\CALCIPOTRIENE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE\CALCIPOTRIENE HYDRATE BESIFLOXACIN vs BETAMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE\CALCIPOTRIENE\CALCIPOTRIENE HYDRATE

Other Drugs in Same Class: Quinolone Antimicrobial [EPC]

Official FDA Label for BESIFLOXACIN

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

Drug Description

BESIVANCE ® (besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension) 0.6% is a sterile ophthalmic suspension of besifloxacin formulated with DuraSite ® † (polycarbophil, edetate disodium dihydrate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection). Each mL of BESIVANCE contains 6.63 mg besifloxacin hydrochloride equivalent to 6 mg besifloxacin base. It is an 8-chloro fluoroquinolone anti-infective for topical ophthalmic use. C 19 H 21 ClFN 3 O 3

  • HCl Molecular Weight

430.30 Chemical Name: (+)-7-[(3R)-3-aminohexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl]-8-chloro-1-cyclopropyl-6-fluoro-4-oxo-1,4-dihydroquinoline-3-carboxylic acid hydrochloride. Besifloxacin hydrochloride is a white to pale yellowish-white powder. Each mL contains: Active: besifloxacin 0.6% (6 mg/mL); Inactives: polycarbophil, mannitol, poloxamer 407, sodium chloride, edetate disodium dihydrate, sodium hydroxide, and water for injection. Preservative: benzalkonium chloride 0.01% BESIVANCE is an isotonic suspension with an osmolality of approximately 290 mOsm/kg. Besifloxacin hydrochloride structural formula

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

AND USAGE BESIVANCE ® (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. BESIVANCE ® (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 )

Dosage & Administration

AND ADMINISTRATION Invert closed bottle and shake once before use. Instill one drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times a day, 4 to 12 hours apart for 7 days. Instill one drop in the affected eye(s) 3 times a day, 4 to 12 hours apart for 7 days. ( 2 )

Contraindications

None. None. ( 4 )

Known Adverse Reactions

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.

Warnings

AND PRECAUTIONS Not for Injection into the Eye ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) Growth of Resistant Organisms with Prolonged Use ( Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. ) 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 BESIVANCE. ( 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 BESIVANCE (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 BESIVANCE.