Besivance (Besifloxacin)

Besivance
4.67 ratingsReviews
Generic:
Besifloxacin
Indications:
bacterial eye infections
Analogs:
Moxifloxacin Gatifloxacin Ofloxacin Ciprofloxacin Levofloxacin Azithromycin Tobramycin Erythromycin Azasite Bleph 10 Ciloxan Moxeza Ocuflox Polytrim Tobrex Vigamox Zymaxid
In stock: 19 packs
AdultsPregnancyAllergiesDiabetesBreastfeedingChildrenDriving

Dosages

Besivance 5 ml

Quantity Price per bottle You save Total price
2 £19.37 - £38.74
3 £16.45 £8.78 £49.34
4 £16.43 £11.78 £65.71
5 £14.71 £23.30 £73.56

Manufacturers

Bausch & Lomb IncorporatedIndoco Remedies Ltd.

Payment & Delivery

Package Example

Your order is carefully packed and is dispatched within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.

Sized like a regular personal letter (approximately 24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of what is inside.

Front View
Front View
Side View
Side View
Back View
Back View
Delivery Times
Delivery MethodEstimated delivery
Express Free for orders over £222.24Estimated delivery to the UK: 4-7 days
Standard Free for orders over £148.16Estimated delivery to the UK: 14-21 days
EMSRoyal Mail
Payment Methods
VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressJCBBitcoin, USDTApple PayGoogle PayPayPalKlarnaClearpay

Discount Coupons

  • New Year's Day - 1 January 2026 9% NEWYEAR9
  • Valentine's Day - 14 February 2026 6% VALENTINE6
  • St David's Day - 1 March 2026 4% DAVID4
  • St Patrick's Day - 17 March 2026 5% PATRICK5
  • St George's Day - 23 April 2026 4% GEORGE4
  • May Day - 1 May 2026 5% MAYDAY5
  • Halloween - 31 October 2026 6% HALLOWEEN6
  • Guy Fawkes Night - 5 November 2026 5% GUY5
  • Christmas Eve - 24 December 2026 9% XMASEVE9
  • Christmas Day - 25 December 2026 10% XMAS10
  • Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 10% BOXING10
  • New Year's Eve - 31 December 2026 8% NYE8

FAQ

Do not increase the dose or extend treatment independently. Persistent or worsening redness, pain, discharge, light sensitivity, swelling or reduced vision needs clinical reassessment, as the infection may not be bacterial or may need a different treatment.

No. Besifloxacin should be used for the prescribed course rather than continued for extra days without advice. Ongoing symptoms should be assessed to establish whether the diagnosis or treatment needs changing.

A generic described as besifloxacin contains besifloxacin as its active ingredient, as does Besivance. The manufacturer, bottle appearance, packaging and inactive ingredients may differ between products.

Check the bottle and outer label for "besifloxacin", "ophthalmic suspension" and the strength "0.6%". Also compare the dosage form, manufacturer details, batch number and expiry date with the order information; do not use it until any mismatch has been resolved.

The suspension should be kept protected from light and handled to avoid leaking, crushing or prolonged exposure to unsuitable temperatures. Its labelled storage range is 15°C to 25°C; after arrival, check that the bottle and packaging are intact before use.

Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial conjunctivitis and other susceptible bacterial eye infections. It does not treat viral or allergic conjunctivitis.

During pregnancy, use requires an individual assessment because adequate studies in pregnant women are lacking, even though absorption into the bloodstream after eye use is very low. During breastfeeding, caution is advised because it is not known whether besifloxacin passes into human milk.

The usual regimen for bacterial conjunctivitis is one drop in the affected eye or eyes three times daily, 4 to 12 hours apart, for 7 days. Shake the suspension before use, avoid touching the dropper tip to the eye or other surfaces, and follow the directions supplied for the individual treatment.

Description

Note: Images in the description are provided for informational purposes and may differ from the actual appearance of the product. Please refer to the product name, strength, active ingredients, and pharmaceutical form.

Besivance is an eye medicine used to treat certain bacterial eye infections. The medicine was originally developed by a Japanese pharmaceutical company, which later sold the rights to InSite Vision Incorporated. InSite Vision refined the original formulation for use as eye drops. In 2003, distribution rights were sold to Bausch + Lomb, a major eye-care company in the UK and a global leader in ophthalmic medicines and eye-care products.

Six years later, in 2009, the medicine was authorised in the UK for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis.

How Does Besivance Work?

The active ingredient in Besivance eye drops is besifloxacin. This medicine belongs to the fourth-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It is highly effective against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and anaerobic bacteria. Because of this, Besivance has a broad spectrum of activity and can be used for eye conditions caused by different types of staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria that are susceptible to besifloxacin.

It works by blocking bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes that are responsible for bacterial DNA synthesis and replication. By inhibiting these enzymes, Besivance stops bacteria from growing and leads to their death.

Besivance Eye Drops

Why Is Besivance Better Than Other Generations of Quinolones?

One of the main advantages of Besivance is that it was designed specifically for use in the eyes. This helps reduce the body's overall exposure to the antibiotic and may help limit the development of resistance, which is an important concern when treating bacterial infections.

What Are Besivance Eye Drops Used For?

Besivance works against a wide range of bacterial infections that cause inflammation of the eye. It does not work against viral or fungal infections. That is why it is important to have a medical assessment to identify the organism causing the inflammation.

In UK clinical practice, Besivance may be used to treat or help prevent the following eye conditions:

  • bacterial conjunctivitis;
  • bacterial inflammation of the cornea;
  • bacterial keratitis;
  • prevention of eye infection in patients undergoing laser treatment for cataracts;
  • prevention of eye infection after eye surgery.

Although bacterial infections can also cause other eye conditions, Besivance should not be used for a stye or blepharitis, as its effectiveness for these conditions has not been shown in clinical studies. In addition, post-marketing reports list blepharitis as a possible side effect of Besivance.

These conditions may require combination treatment with antimicrobial medicines and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation while treating the infection. One such combination is Tobradex (tobramycin/dexamethasone). Unlike Besivance, Tobradex is used to treat blepharitis.

What Is Pink Eye? Can Besivance Be Used for Pink Eye?

Pink eye is another name for conjunctivitis. In the UK, it is a common condition. Pink eye is inflammation of the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane that covers the whites of the eyes and the inner surface of the eyelids. When this membrane becomes inflamed, the small blood vessels in the conjunctiva become more visible, which makes the eyes look pink.

Besivance can help reduce inflammation and clear the bacterial cause when conjunctivitis is bacterial.

Dosage and General Recommendations

Besivance is supplied as an ophthalmic suspension containing 0.6% besifloxacin. This low concentration of the active ingredient allows it to be used topically. A common question is: "Does Besivance contain aspirin?" This is a misconception; acetylsalicylic acid is not one of the active or inactive ingredients.

The dosing schedule and length of treatment depend on the organism causing the infection, the reason for use (treatment or prevention), the severity of the condition and the patient's response.

To treat bacterial conjunctivitis with Besivance, put one drop into the affected eye every 6 to 12 hours. There is no need to treat both eyes if only one is infected. Treatment usually lasts 5-8 days. Symptoms may improve sooner (reported in around 70% of cases), but this does not mean treatment should be stopped early. By day 5 of treatment, bacterial eradication may reach about 90%. Stopping early can increase the risk of the infection coming back.

In children, the dose generally does not need to be adjusted.

Because the risk of bacterial resistance to Besivance is considered low, it may be used in patients whose eye infections do not respond to other antibiotics (for example, ciprofloxacin).

How to Use the Drops

An important recommendation is to keep the dropper tip sterile. Each time you open the bottle, take care not to let the dropper tip touch any surface, including your hands or eyes.

After putting in the drops, try to keep your eye closed for 1-2 minutes with your head tilted back to help the medicine absorb.

Missing a Dose: Is It a Problem?

Try not to miss doses, as this helps you get the most benefit from treatment. If you miss a dose of Besivance, use it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Who Should Avoid Using Besivance?

Because Besivance is used topically, it has few contraindications. One is eye infections caused by viruses or fungi, since the medicine does not work against these organisms.

Besivance should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to besifloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics. The product also contains inactive ingredients that may cause allergic reactions in susceptible people.

The safety of Besivance in infants younger than 1 year has not been established; therefore, it is contraindicated in this age group.

Precautions for Therapy with Besivance

In the United Kingdom, Besivance is available on prescription only, so you need to see a doctor before starting treatment. To reduce the risk of side effects, tell your healthcare provider about all prescription medicines and medicines you take without a prescription.

Besivance may cause side effects that can temporarily affect your vision, such as blurred vision. Do not drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal.

During pregnancy, Besivance may be used when the potential benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. This caution is based on animal studies in which besifloxacin caused maternal toxicity.

It is not known whether besifloxacin passes into breast milk. If Besivance is needed while breastfeeding, breastfeeding may need to be stopped for at least the duration of treatment.

Avoid wearing contact lenses during treatment with Besivance, at least until the signs of infection have cleared. Contact lenses may be put back in at least 15 minutes after using the drops.

Possible Adverse Reactions to Besivance

Topical use generally results in fewer whole-body side effects. The most common side effects occur in 1% to 10% of people. If they happen, they usually affect the treated eye, or both eyes if both are being treated:

  • eye redness;
  • itching;
  • sore eyes;
  • blurred vision;
  • swelling of the eyelids;
  • eye pain;
  • headache.

These reactions usually do not need medical treatment, but you should tell your doctor if they occur, continue or get worse.

Besivance eye drops are not expected to cause side effects affecting the cardiovascular system, liver or kidneys.

Medically reviewed by
Brian Holtry
MD, infectious diseases specialist and medical writer
Updated 11 August 2026

Customer questions

Asked by Aoife Murphy, Lisburn, United Kingdom

I'm in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Can I check whether this eye suspension can be delivered to my address before I pay?

Answered by Support team

Yes. Enter your delivery address during checkout to see the destination options available for your address before completing payment. Availability is confirmed there rather than assumed for every Northern Ireland address.

Asked by Tom Harris, Plymouth, United Kingdom

My order to Plymouth has been dispatched. Does that mean it should arrive tomorrow?

Answered by Support team

Not necessarily. Dispatch means the order has left for delivery, not that it is due the following day; Express delivery is usually 4-7 days and includes tracking, while Standard delivery is usually 14-21 days without tracking.

Asked by Fiona Campbell, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Before ordering from Glasgow, can I check if you deliver besifloxacin to my postcode?

Answered by Support team

Yes. Add the product and enter your Glasgow postcode at checkout to check the delivery options for that address before placing the order.

Asked by Daniel Wright, Brighton, United Kingdom

I had a widespread rash and breathing trouble after ciprofloxacin in the past. Is it safe for me to use besifloxacin eye drops?

Answered by Support team
Medical reviewed by Donna Brettler

Besifloxacin is also a fluoroquinolone, so a previous serious reaction to ciprofloxacin is important and should be reviewed by a clinician or pharmacist before use. Do not use the drops if you have had a known hypersensitivity reaction to besifloxacin or another quinolone antibiotic.

Product specifications

Active ingredientBesifloxacin
Drug classFluoroquinolone antibiotic
Dosage formOphthalmic suspension
Available strengths0.6%
RouteOphthalmic
StorageStore at 15°C to 25°C. Protect from light.
ATC codeS01AE09

Regulatory information

Authorisation statusBesifloxacin is not currently licensed for human medical use in the United Kingdom.

More information