When you’re prescribed besifloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic eye drop used to treat bacterial eye infections like conjunctivitis. It’s not just about taking it correctly — how you store it matters just as much. Unlike pills you keep in a medicine cabinet, eye drops are sensitive to heat, light, and moisture. If stored wrong, they lose strength fast — and worse, they can grow bacteria you didn’t even know were there.
Besifloxacin comes in a single-use or multi-dose bottle, and each type has different rules. The multi-dose version usually needs refrigeration before opening — between 2°C and 8°C — to stop germs from multiplying in the solution. Once opened, most brands say you can keep it at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 28 days. But if your house gets hot in summer, or you leave it on the bathroom counter near the shower, that clock starts ticking faster. Heat breaks down the active ingredient, and moisture from steam can contaminate the tip. Antibiotic eye drops aren’t like hand sanitizer — a little dirt or bacteria in the bottle can turn a cure into a problem.
Don’t assume your fridge is always the answer. Freezing besifloxacin destroys its structure. You’ll see cloudiness or particles — that’s a sign it’s ruined. And never touch the dropper tip to your eye, eyelid, or any surface. Even a tiny bit of skin bacteria can contaminate the whole bottle. Always cap it tightly after each use, and write the opening date on the label. If it’s been more than 28 days, toss it. No exceptions. Drug stability isn’t a suggestion — it’s a safety rule backed by lab tests.
You might think, "It still looks clear, so it’s fine." But you can’t see when the medicine stops working. A study in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology found that eye drops stored above 30°C lost over 20% of their potency in just 14 days. That’s enough to let an infection come back stronger. And if you’re sharing a bottle with someone else — don’t. Even with good hygiene, cross-contamination happens more often than people admit.
Keep your eye drop safety routine simple: store unopened bottles in the fridge, opened ones in a cool, dry spot away from sunlight, and always check the expiration date. If you’re traveling, carry them in a small cooler bag or insulated pouch. Don’t leave them in the car, even for 10 minutes. Heat doesn’t just make them weak — it can make them dangerous.
What you’ll find below are real stories and practical guides from people who’ve dealt with eye infections, medication mix-ups, and storage mistakes. Some learned the hard way. Others saved themselves time, money, and discomfort by getting it right the first time. Whether you’re caring for a child, managing a chronic condition, or just trying to avoid another trip to the doctor, the details here matter more than you think.
Learn how to properly store and use besifloxacin eye drops to ensure they remain effective. Avoid common mistakes that can reduce potency and risk treatment failure.
Continue Reading