New ophthalmic has broad antibacterial coverage

Clinicians will soon be able to treat conjunctivitis using a fourth generation topical fluoroquinolone that has better activity against gram-positive organisms compared to currently available fluoroquinolones, higher potency than the other drugs in this class (except one), and better solubility than the other fluoroquinolones. The FDA recently approved moxifloxacin (Vigamox, Alcon) 0.5% ophthalmic solution for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. Moxifloxacin ophthalmic solution should be available in pharmacies in the next several weeks.