Exocin
In brief
- Exocin (ofloxacin 0.3% eye drops) is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
- Exocin is used to treat bacterial eye infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis and corneal ulcer; it is a fluoroquinolone ophthalmic anti-infective that works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing bacterial DNA replication and causing bacterial cell death.
- Usual dosing for adults: for bacterial conjunctivitis, 1–2 drops into the affected eye(s) every 2–4 hours for the first 2 days then every 4–6 hours up to 7 days; for corneal ulcer, 1–2 drops every 30–60 minutes on day 1, then hourly and later reduced to every 4 hours, treatment often continuing up to 14 days; paediatric dosing generally same from 1 year upwards.
- Form of administration: ophthalmic solution (eye drops), typically 0.3% (3 mg/mL) in multi‑dose LDPE bottles containing benzalkonium chloride as a preservative.
- Onset time: antibacterial activity begins soon after instillation and clinical improvement is often seen within 24–48 hours, though full resolution may take longer depending on infection severity.
- Duration of action: a single dose provides local activity for approximately 4–6 hours (hence dosing intervals); typical treatment courses are about 7 days for conjunctivitis and up to 14 days for corneal ulcers, guided by clinical response.
- Alcohol warning: there is no known significant interaction between topical ofloxacin eye drops and alcohol; drinking alcohol is unlikely to affect the eye drops’ local effectiveness, though excessive alcohol intake is best avoided for general health and if you are advised otherwise by a clinician.
- The most common side effect is local eye irritation — stinging, burning, redness or mild discomfort after instillation; blurred vision and eye dryness may also occur.
- Would you like to try Exocin without a prescription?
Basic Exocin information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): Ofloxacin
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Exocin; generic ofloxacin eye drops
- ATC code: S01AE01 (ophthalmologicals; fluoroquinolones)
- Forms and dosages: Eye drops (ophthalmic solution) 0.3% (3 mg/mL), 5 mL multi-dose bottle
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: Allergan (Exocin) and generic manufacturers
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: Licensed by the MHRA
- OTC / Rx classification: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
Legal status and availability in the UK
Exocin is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
In our online pharmacy, Exocin is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Product snapshot and key specifications
Core product identifiers
The international nonproprietary name is ofloxacin.
The ATC code is S01AE01, placing it among ophthalmological fluoroquinolones.
In the United Kingdom Exocin is supplied as 0.3% ophthalmic solution.
Indications include bacterial conjunctivitis and bacterial corneal ulcer as stated in product literature.
Packaging, formulation and excipients
Most commercial packs are 5 mL LDPE multi‑dose bottles containing 3 mg/mL (0.3%) ophthalmic solution.
Exocin contains benzalkonium chloride as a preservative.
Storage guidance is to keep unopened bottles at 15–25°C and to discard within 28 days of opening.
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone ophthalmic anti‑infective with good gram‑negative activity and corneal penetration.
| Brand | Concentration | Pack size | Preservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exocin | 0.3% (3 mg/mL) | 5 mL multi‑dose | Contains benzalkonium chloride |
Key points:
- Fast symptomatic relief in bacterial conjunctivitis.
- Broad gram‑negative coverage and suitable corneal penetration for ulcers.
Indications and practical usage scenarios
Who it suits
Exocin is used for confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial conjunctivitis when a topical fluoroquinolone is appropriate.
Consider ofloxacin particularly for contact‑lens wearers, suspected gram‑negative involvement, or where prior chloramphenicol therapy has failed.
For paediatric patients aged ≥1 year, the same topical dosing schedules apply when a clinician has prescribed ofloxacin.
Pharmacists should reinforce contact‑lens removal during treatment and discuss possible stinging on instillation.
When to refer urgently
Urgent referral to ophthalmology or emergency services is required for severe eye pain, reduced visual acuity, marked photophobia, or clinical signs suggesting corneal ulceration.
Also refer if there is failure to improve after 48–72 hours of appropriate topical therapy, or if eyelid adhesions and severe purulent discharge develop.
Corneal ulcers require culture‑guided therapy and close follow‑up; pharmacists should advise patients to seek prompt ophthalmic review rather than attempting self‑treatment.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis →
- Administer topical antibiotic per prescription; monitor for improvement within 48–72 hours.
- Contact‑lens associated red eye →
- Prefer broad gram‑negative coverage (eg. ofloxacin) and urgent ophthalmology if keratitis suspected.
- Corneal ulcer →
- Immediate ophthalmic referral and intensive topical therapy under specialist supervision.
Dosage and administration
Typical dosing schedules
| Condition | Typical adult dose | Treatment duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bacterial conjunctivitis | 1–2 drops into affected eye(s) every 2–4 hours for 2 days, then every 4–6 hours | Up to 7 days |
| Corneal ulcer | 1–2 drops every 30–60 minutes on day 1, then hourly reducing per response | Up to 14 days or per specialist advice |
Paediatric, elderly and missed dose guidance
Children aged 1 year and older may be treated with the same topical regimens as adults when prescribed by a clinician.
Infants under 1 year have not established safety data and use is not recommended without specialist advice.
Elderly patients usually do not need dose adjustment for topical therapy but monitor for increased ocular sensitivity.
If a dose is missed, apply when remembered and do not double up at the next scheduled time.
For suspected overdose rinse the eye with water; systemic toxicity is rare with ophthalmic preparations.
Practical instillation steps:
- Wash hands thoroughly before use.
- Tilt the head back and pull the lower eyelid to form a small pocket.
- Instil one drop, close the eye for 1–2 minutes and press the medial canthus to reduce systemic absorption.
- Wait at least five minutes before applying other eye drops.
Safety, contraindications and monitoring
Absolute and relative contraindications
Absolute contraindications include known hypersensitivity to ofloxacin or other quinolones and allergy to excipients such as benzalkonium chloride.
Relative cautions include a history of tendon disorders associated with quinolones, pregnancy and lactation where use should be limited to cases where benefits outweigh risks, and infants under 1 year due to lack of safety data.
Monitoring and special populations
Patients with corneal ulcers need specialist follow‑up, culture results and healing checks to ensure resolution and to guide escalation or change of therapy.
Advise removal of contact lenses during therapy and for at least 15 minutes after each instillation for preserved formulations.
Alert prescribers and arrange referral if ocular surface toxicity, increasing pain or worsening vision occur during treatment.
- Check allergy history for quinolones and preservatives before dispensing.
Side effects, incidence and counselling
Common local adverse effects
Common local reactions include transient stinging or burning on instillation, ocular redness, dryness, eyelid irritation and brief blurred vision.
Photophobia and mild discomfort may occur but typically resolve without stopping treatment.
Rare / serious reactions and reporting
Serious allergic reactions are rare but require immediate cessation and urgent medical attention if swelling, hives or breathing difficulty occur.
Systemic adverse events are uncommon with topical use, although systemic fluoroquinolone safety warnings apply in the event of significant systemic exposure.
Advise patients not to drive or operate machinery if vision is blurred after instillation.
Encourage reporting of suspected significant adverse reactions via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
| Common effects | Serious effects |
|---|---|
| Stinging, burning, redness, blurred vision | Anaphylaxis, severe swelling, marked vision loss |
Counselling points: expect short‑lived stinging; avoid contact lenses; seek urgent review for severe pain or sudden vision change.
Interactions and concomitant therapies
Eye‑drop specific interactions
Wait at least five minutes between different ophthalmic medicines to avoid washout and reduced efficacy.
Preservative‑containing drops with benzalkonium chloride may reduce contact‑lens tolerance and should not be used while lenses are worn.
Topical use minimises systemic interactions, but concurrent use of multiple topical quinolones should be documented and justified.
Systemic drug interaction considerations
Systemic interactions are minimal because topical absorption is low, though caution is reasonable where multiple fluoroquinolone exposures occur.
Prior topical antibiotic use can reduce culture yield in corneal infections, so inform ophthalmology teams about recent drops used when arranging cultures.
| Topical consideration | Systemic consideration |
|---|---|
| Wait 5 minutes between drops; avoid lens wear with preserved drops | Systemic interactions rare; cumulative fluoroquinolone exposure theoretical risk |
Efficacy
Efficacy for conjunctivitis and corneal ulcer
Topical ofloxacin achieves bacterial eradication in many cases of bacterial conjunctivitis with symptomatic improvement often within 48–72 hours.
For corneal ulcers, intensive topical ofloxacin regimens provide corneal penetration appropriate for treating many pathogens under ophthalmic supervision.
Alternatives and switching guidance
Other options
Other options include ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin (systemic use mainly), tobramycin and chloramphenicol.
The differences are spectrum of activity, corneal penetration, dosing frequency and preservative status.
Moxifloxacin may offer extended gram‑positive coverage in some settings, while ciprofloxacin is another commonly used topical fluoroquinolone.
When to switch or escalate therapy
Consider switching if there is no clinical improvement after 48–72 hours, or earlier if signs point to corneal involvement or worsening infection.
Culture and sensitivity testing should guide escalation to alternative topical agents or systemic therapy under ophthalmology advice.
| Drug | Typical spectrum | Typical dosing | Preservative options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofloxacin (Exocin) | Broad gram‑negative, good corneal penetration | 1–2 drops q2–4h (conjunctivitis); intensive for ulcers | Preserved and preservative‑free options |
| Chloramphenicol | Broad‑spectrum, non‑quinolone | Hourly or q2h depending on product | Usually preserved |
Storage and in-use period
Store unopened bottles at 15–25°C away from direct light and do not freeze.
Discard multi‑dose bottles 28 days after opening unless the product literature specifies otherwise. The label should state “For ophthalmic use only”.
Adherence tips and self‑care
Simple instillation technique and calendars
Provide stepwise instructions: wash hands; tilt head back; pull lower lid; instil one drop; close the eye for 1–2 minutes; press the inner corner to limit systemic absorption.
Recommend phone reminders, dosing calendars or pharmacist follow‑up calls to improve adherence.
Non‑pharmacological measures and red‑flag signs
Advise patients not to rub their eyes, to avoid sharing towels, and to stop contact‑lens wear until the infection clears.
Self‑care for crusting may include warm compresses, but red‑flag signs such as severe pain, sudden vision loss, marked photophobia or increasing discharge warrant immediate review.
Can I drive? — Avoid driving if vision is blurred after instillation.
Regulatory status and manufacturer
INN, ATC and regulatory status
The INN is Ofloxacin and the ATC classification is S01AE01 for ophthalmic fluoroquinolones.
Exocin is a prescription-only medicine (POM) licensed in the UK under MHRA oversight.
Manufacturers and packaging
Exocin is made by Allergan, with generic ofloxacin eye drops from other manufacturers.
Packaging is usually LDPE multi‑dose bottles of 5 mL.
- INN →
- Ofloxacin (ATC S01AE01)
- Manufacturers →
- Allergan; generic manufacturers
- Regulatory note →
- Prescription-only (POM); the SPC and PIL are the authoritative references
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|
| London | Greater London | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | Greater Manchester | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | West Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | Merseyside | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | South West England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | South Yorkshire | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | North East England | 9–21 days |
| Belfast | Northern Ireland | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Plymouth | Devon | 9–21 days |
| Norwich | East of England | 9–21 days |
Final notes
Explain instillation technique, likely transient stinging and the need to remove contact lenses during treatment.
Report suspected serious adverse reactions via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. If there is no response within 48–72 hours, seek prompt review.
