Besivance: What It Is, How It Works, and Alternatives You Should Know

When you have a bacterial eye infection, Besivance, a brand-name antibiotic eye drop containing besifloxacin, used to treat conjunctivitis caused by susceptible bacteria. Also known as besifloxacin ophthalmic suspension, it’s designed to kill the bacteria causing redness, swelling, and discharge in your eyes—without the systemic side effects of oral antibiotics. Unlike some older eye drops, Besivance is formulated to stay in the eye longer, which means fewer daily doses and better coverage against common culprits like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Besivance belongs to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones, which are also found in oral antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin—but here, they’re delivered straight to the infection site. This targeted approach reduces the risk of resistance and avoids affecting your gut microbiome. But it’s not the only option. Fluorquinolone eye drops, a category of topical antibiotics used for bacterial conjunctivitis, including moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin are close alternatives. Then there’s ophthalmic antibiotics, a broad group of eye medications that treat infections, including tobramycin, erythromycin, and polymyxin B combinations, which are often cheaper and used when resistance or cost is a concern.

Why does this matter? Because not all eye infections are the same. Viral ones won’t respond to Besivance. Allergies won’t either. And if you’ve used antibiotic drops before and they didn’t work, your infection might be resistant. That’s why doctors often test samples before prescribing. Besivance is powerful, but it’s not always the first choice—especially for kids or if you’re on a tight budget. Some pharmacies carry generic versions of similar fluoroquinolones, and insurance might push you toward older, cheaper drops like tobramycin unless there’s a clear reason to use Besivance.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, practical comparisons: how Besivance stacks up against other eye drops, what side effects to watch for (like stinging or blurred vision), why some patients switch to alternatives, and how to tell if your infection is getting worse instead of better. You’ll also see how insurance rules, drug interactions, and even how you apply the drops can make a difference in recovery time. No fluff. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what your doctor might not have time to explain.