Besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension gains additional indications

Madison, NJ-The FDA has granted additional labeling indications for besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension 0.6% (Besivance), according to Bausch + Lomb, the solution’s manufacturer.

The indications now include treating bacterial conjunctivitis infections caused by susceptible isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a rare but potentially virulent pathogen that can be associated with serious eye conditions, such as corneal ulcers and blindness. Three other significant ocular pathogens added to the indications granted for the eye drop include Aerococcus viridans, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Staphylococcus warneri.

Besivance suspension has been approved in the United States for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis since 2009 and has demonstrated potent activity and high rates of eradication against problematic multi-drug resistant gram-positive organisms.

“Many eye-care physicians consider Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a more serious threat to ocular health than MRSA,” said Terrence P. O’Brien, MD, of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami, FL. “With the additional indication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as the other important ocular pathogens covered by besifloxacin 0.6%, physicians now have a potent, broad-spectrum, branded prescription eye drop to . . . treat bacterial conjunctivitis caused by the most common serious sight-threatening pathogens.”

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