Pink Eye Medicine: How to Choose the Right One
Pink eye is an infection that causes redness, itching, pain, and discharge in the eye.
The infection is caused due to bacteria, viruses, or allergens.
There are different pink eye treatments for all three infections.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, bacterial Conjunctivitis is the most encountered eye problem.
Here, the article discusses the pink eye medicines available on prescription and over the counter.
Pink Eye prescription based medicine
Pink eye medication depends on the type of infection.
Antibiotics act on the bacteria that cause pink eye infections and kill them.
Doctors prescribe the following antibiotics:
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is an effective antibiotic that treats bacterial pink eye infections.
It belongs to the medical class of Macrolide antibiotics.
The antibiotic works by killing the bacteria that cause infection in the eye.
Azithromycin treats eye infections which produce a lot of pus.
It is also prescribed to treat those caused by bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis.
Azithral Eye Drops contains Azithromycin as the active ingredient.
Also Read: For more details on treating bacterial pink eye, go through A Complete Guide to Bacterial Pink Eye Treatments.
Single-dose Azithromycin has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of infections in both adults and children
Besifloxacin
Besifloxacin treats conjunctivitis by killing the infection-causing bacteria.
It belongs to the medical class of Fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
Fluoroquinolone ensures inhibition of the essential bacterial proteins.
It is an effective antibiotic against bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
It is a novel entry into pink eye medicines.
Besifloxacin proves an effective treatment against other available.
Doctors prescribe Besix Eye drops which contain Besifloxacin.
Sulfacetamide
Sulfacetamide works effectively to restrict the growth of infection-causing bacteria.
It belongs to the class of Sulfonamide antibiotics.
They work by inhibiting the action of the Dihydropteroate synthase enzyme, which is necessary for the growth of bacteria.
Locula Eye drops containing Sulphacetamide are exclusive pink eye medications for bacterial infections.
Tobramycin
Tobramycin kills the bacteria that cause pink eye infections.
It belongs to the drug class of Aminoglycoside antibiotics.
This Pink eye medicine restricts the production of protein required for bacterial growth.
Tobramycin can be prescribed as a monotherapy or in combination with other medications.
A study shows that Tobramycin shows a broad spectrum of activity and is effective against bacterial infection.
Toba Eye drops contain Tobramycin as an active ingredient.
They are given to patients with Streptococcus bacterial infections.
Norfloxacin
Norfloxacin restricts bacterial growth and prevents infection from spreading.
It belongs to the medical class of Fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
In a study conducted to check the effectiveness of Norflox, researchers concluded that 84% of participants were relieved of their pink eye.
They also did not show any persistent side effects.
Norflox Eye Drop contains Norfloxacin in active amounts.
Moxifloxacin
Moxifloxacin is another Fluoroquinolone that effectively treats the pink eye.
It blocks bacterial DNA replication and kills the infection-causing bacteria.
Moxifloxacin has shown faster relieving action than other antibiotics.
The ophthalmic solution showed more tolerability in patients.
Milflox 0.5% contains Moxifloxacin in active amounts.
Antiviral and Anti-allergic Medications
The antibiotics pink eye medicine do not act against viral and allergic reactions.
Allergic pink eye is typically treated with Antihistamines.
These antihistamines are prescribed as an oral treatment.
They are effective even for severe allergic cases.
Doctors prescribe Ketotifen as an allergic pink eye medicine.
Viral pink eye infections do not require specific antivirals for treatment. They are usually relieved with over-the-counter eye drops and decongestants.
Pink Eye Medicines | Approx cost |
Besix Eye Drop 0.6% | $14.90 |
Azithral Eye Drops 0.1% | $15.50 |
Toba Eye Drop 0.3% | $9.96 |
Milflox 0.5% 5 ml | $2.93 |
Locula Eye Drop 20% 10ml | $15.40 |
Norflox Eye Drop 0.3% | $0.47 |
Pink Eye over the counter medicine
Along with prescribed medicine, over-the-counter treatments are also available as pink eye medicines.
You can take artificial tears to ease eye pain and inflammation symptoms.
One can take pain-relieving medicines like Ibuprofen to relieve eye pain due to pink eye infection.
Conclusion
Pink eye infection is typically relieved in 2-3 weeks.
If your symptoms persist or you need to return to school or work, speak with your doctor.
The medications for pink eye depend on the cause of the infection, be it bacterial, viral, or allergic.
Hence, consulting your doctor should be your first step toward treating pink eye infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What medicine is used for pink eye?
Medicine for pink eye depends on the cause of the infection. It can be bacterial, viral, or allergic. Bacterial pink eye infection is the most commonly reported eye disorder. Doctors prescribe antibiotics such as Azithral Eye Drops, Milflox 0.5%, and Toba Eye Drops as effective medications.
What medicine cures pink eye?
Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics such as Azithromycin, Fluoroquinolone, and Aminoglycoside to treat pink eye infections.
Where to get pink eye medicine?
You can get pink eye medicine from the comfort of your home from WowRx.
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