Besifloxacin Ophthalmic Suspension 0.6 % Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Eye Drops

Available Strengths: 0.6 %

Reference Brands: Besivance (USA)

Category: Opthalmology

Besifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in ophthalmology for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) caused by susceptible bacteria. It works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes essential for bacterial DNA replication and repair. Besifloxacin is available as a 0.6% ophthalmic suspension (eye drops) for topical use only. The drug shows broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and is generally well tolerated when used as directed.

Product Description:

Besifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone developed exclusively for topical use in the eye — there is no oral or injectable form anywhere. That is deliberate and commercially relevant: because the molecule has never been used systemically, bacteria have had no opportunity to develop resistance to it through exposure elsewhere, so it retains activity against organisms resistant to older ophthalmic fluoroquinolones. It has a chlorine substitution that gives balanced activity against both DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, requiring two mutations for resistance to develop.

It is used three times daily for seven days for bacterial conjunctivitis. It is supplied as a suspension in a polymer vehicle that holds the drug on the ocular surface longer than a simple solution would, which is why the dosing interval is workable. Adverse effects are local and mild: blurred vision after instillation, eye irritation and redness. As with any antibiotic drop, prolonged use encourages overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms.

Sourcing notes. A suspension rather than a solution, so it must be shaken before use and particle size and resuspendability are critical quality attributes. It is registered mainly in the US; registration elsewhere is limited, so confirm the destination market. The polymer vehicle is part of what makes the product work and is not trivially substituted.