Expert Pharmacy Insights

Antibiotic Eye Drops: When Pink Eye Needs Them, US Options, Doses and Cost

Antibiotic eye drops treat bacterial conjunctivitis, not viral or allergic pink eye. This guide covers when an antibiotic is likely to help (CDC, AAO and the 2023 Cochrane review), the main US options from ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin to tobramycin, polymyxin B with trimethoprim, azithromycin and erythromycin ointment, the dose on each label, label trial results, steroid combination warnings, contact lens rules and what each costs US pharmacies.