CIPROFLOXACIN QUALIGEN 1mg OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION SINGLE-DOSE CONTAINERS

Introduction

Leaflet: Information for the user

CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN 1 mg otic drops in solution in single-dose container

Ciprofloxacin

Read the entire leaflet carefully before starting to use this medicine.

• Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
• If you have any doubts, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed to you only, and you should not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
• If you consider that any of the adverse effects you are suffering from is serious or if you notice any adverse effect not mentioned in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Contents of the leaflet

1. What CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before starting to use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN
3. How to use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN
6. Contents of the pack and further information

1. What CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN is and what it is used for

The active ingredient of the medicine is ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic that belongs to a group of antibacterial agents known as quinolones. Ciprofloxacin prevents the growth of certain microorganisms that cause infections.

Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and are not effective against viral infections.

It is essential that you follow the instructions regarding the dose, administration interval, and treatment duration indicated by your doctor.

Do not store or reuse this medicine. If you have any leftover antibiotic after finishing the treatment, return it to the pharmacy for proper disposal. Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste.

CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN is used for the topical treatment in adults and children aged 2 years or older of the following bacterial ear infections: chronic suppurative otitis media and acute otitis externa.

2. What you need to know before starting to use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

Do not use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

If you are allergic to ciprofloxacin, other quinolones, or any of the other components of this medicine (see section 6).

Be cautious with CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

• If you experience an allergic reaction to CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN, stop the treatment and inform your doctor. Allergic reactions are rare and severe reactions are even rarer (see section 4 of this leaflet).
• Prolonged treatment with this medicine may cause the proliferation of resistant microorganisms. If you do not experience an improvement in your otitis, inform your doctor.
• If you have a perforated eardrum (the membrane that separates the outer ear from the middle ear), the medicine may penetrate the oral cavity.
• If your skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) light while taking ciprofloxacin, avoid exposure to intense sunlight or artificial UV light, such as that from sunbeds.

Use of other medicines

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used or may need to use any other medicine. CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN should not be administered with other medicines via the otic route (through the ear).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

It is recommended to avoid using CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN during pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant.

Do not use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN during breastfeeding, as ciprofloxacin may pass into breast milk and may be harmful to your child.

Driving and using machines

Among the side effects described with this medicine are dizziness (a feeling of dizziness that may be accompanied by discomfort, nausea, and vomiting, etc.) and headache (see section 4). Therefore, make sure you know how you react to CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN before driving a vehicle or using machines. In case of doubt, consult your doctor.

3. How to use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

For children over 2 years, adolescents, and adults:

Follow the administration instructions of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN exactly as indicated by your doctor. Your doctor will indicate precisely how much CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN you should receive, as well as how often and for how long, depending on the type of infections you have and their severity. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN should be administered only via the otic route (through the ear). The usual dose is as follows:

• Acute otitis externa: 1 mg (one single-dose container of 0.5 ml) every 12 hours for 7 days.
• Chronic suppurative otitis media: 1 mg (one single-dose container of 0.5 ml) every 12 hours for 15 days.

Elderly patients

For patients over 65 years, the dose is the same. If you are unsure, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

To administer correctly, follow these instructions:

1. Remove a unit from the strip of containers.

2. Check that the container is not damaged.

3. Hold the container between the index and thumb fingers of one hand.

With the index and thumb fingers of the other hand, perform a slight lever on the winged piece to open it. Do not twist to break.

4. Remove the winged piece.

5. To apply the otic solution correctly, you must remain lying down, with the ear to be treated facing upwards.

6. To facilitate the penetration of the otic solution into the ear, you must hold the ear by the upper part and pull it back. In this position, empty the contents of the container into the ear, pressing the single-dose container several times. The amount of solution contained in the single-dose container guarantees the application of the correct dose (0.5 ml), even if a small amount remains inside after emptying.

7. Once the otic solution has been applied, you must press the prominence of the ear located in front of the external auditory canal (called the tragus) several times to facilitate the penetration of the otic solution into the ear.

8. The otic solution should remain in the ear for about 5 minutes.

9. Afterwards, you should sit up and tilt your head to the side of the treated ear so that the excess otic solution drains out.

It is not recommended to "plug" the ear with a cotton ball or similar; this may prolong the duration of the infection.

Use in children

There is no information on the use of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN in children under 2 years of age; therefore, this medicine is not recommended for this age group.

If you use more CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN than you should

In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, inform your doctor or pharmacist or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and amount ingested.

If you forget to use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

Do not use a double dose to make up for the forgotten dose.

If you interrupt treatment with CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

It is essential that you complete the treatment cycle, even if you start to feel better after a few days. If you stop using this medicine too soon, it is possible that the infection has not been completely cured, and the symptoms may return or worsen. Resistance to the antibiotic may also develop.

If you have any other doubts about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction and notice any of the following problems, stop using ciprofloxacin immediately and inform your doctor: swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, face, lips, mouth, or throat that may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing, skin rash or hives, large blisters filled with fluid, pain, and ulcers.

Common side effects (affecting 1 to 10 in every 100 patients): proliferation of microorganisms resistant to this medicine in the ear.

Uncommon side effects (affecting 1 to 10 in every 1,000 patients): dizziness and headache. Localized itching, pain, and a burning or stinging sensation at the site of administration may also occur.

Rare side effects (affecting 1 to 10 in every 10,000 patients): allergic reactions that can affect the whole body.

If you consider that any of the side effects you are suffering from is serious or if you notice any side effect not mentioned in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that is not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Storage of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Store the single-dose containers in the outer packaging to protect them from light.

Do not use CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN after the expiration date stated on the container after "EXP". The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Deposit the containers and medicines you no longer need at the pharmacy's collection point. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.

6. Further information

Composition of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN

• The active ingredient of CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN is ciprofloxacin. Each single-dose container of 0.5 ml contains 1 mg of ciprofloxacin (as hydrochloride).
• The other components are glycerol (E422), polysorbate 20, sodium acetate, glacial acetic acid, methylcellulose (E461), sodium hydroxide or hydrochloric acid, and water for injectable preparations.

Product characteristics and pack contents

CIPROFLOXACINO QUALIGEN is supplied in single-dose containers of 0.5 ml of sterile solution. Each carton contains 20 single-dose containers.

Marketing authorization holder

Neuraxpharm Spain, S.L.U.

Avda. Barcelona, 69

08970 Sant Joan Despí

Barcelona – Spain

Manufacturer

Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals, S.L.

Avda. Barcelona, 69

08970 Sant Joan Despí (Barcelona)

Spain

Date of the last revision of this leaflet: July 2013

Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.es/