Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin

Uses

Ofloxacin is used to treat certain infections including pneumonia, and infections of the skin, bladder, reproductive organs, and prostate (a male reproductive gland). Ofloxacin may also be used to treat bronchitis and urinary tract infections but should not be used for bronchitis and some types of urinary tract infections if other treatments are available. Ofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.

Antibiotics such as ofloxacin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.

Side Effects Of Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain or cramps
  • change in the ability to taste food
  • loss of appetite
  • dry mouth
  • excessive tiredness
  • pale skin
  • pain, swelling, or itching of the vagina

If you experience any of the following symptoms, or any of the symptoms described in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS section, stop taking ofloxacin and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:

  • severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
  • rash
  • hives
  • itching
  • peeling or blistering of the skin
  • fever
  • swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
  • hoarseness or throat tightness
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • ongoing or worsening cough
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin; dark urine; or light-colored stool
  • extreme thirst or hunger; pale skin; feeling shaky or trembling; fast or fluttering heartbeat; sweating; frequent urination; trembling; blurred vision; or unusual anxiety
  • fainting or loss of consciousness
  • unusual bruising or bleeding
  • sudden pain in the chest, stomach, or back
  • Ofloxacin may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children. Ofloxacin should not be given to children younger than 18 years of age.

Ofloxacin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Warnings & Precautions

Before taking ofloxacin:

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to ofloxacin; other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), and moxifloxacin (Avelox); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in ofloxacin tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS section and any of the following: other antibiotics; anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); certain antidepressants; antipsychotics (medications to treat mental illness); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); diuretics (‘water pills’); insulin and other medications to treat diabetes such as chlorpropamide, glimepiride (Amaryl, in Duetact), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta), tolazamide, and tolbutamide; certain medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone), quinidine, procainamide, and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); probenecid (Probalan in Col-Probenecid); and theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • if you are taking antacids containing aluminum, calcium, or magnesium (Maalox, Mylanta, Tums, others); or certain medications such as didanosine (Videx) solution; sucralfate (Carafate); or supplements or multivitamins containing iron or zinc, take ofloxacin 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take these medications.
  • tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death). Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had an irregular or slow heartbeat, a heart attack, an aortic aneurysm (swelling of the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body), high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the blood vessels), Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the heart, eyes, blood vessels and bones), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the skin, joints, or blood vessels), or have a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood. Also, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or problems with low blood sugar or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking ofloxacin, call your doctor.
  • do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how ofloxacin affects you.
  • plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Ofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If your skin becomes reddened, swollen, or blistered, call your doctor.

Dosage Of Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food twice a day for 3 days to 6 weeks. The length of treatment depends on the type of infection being treated. Your doctor will tell you how long to take ofloxacin. Take ofloxacin at around the same times every day and try to space your doses 12 hours apart. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You should begin to feel better during the first few days of your treatment with ofloxacin. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Take ofloxacin until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop taking ofloxacin without talking to your doctor unless you experience certain serious side effects that are listed in the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS and SIDE EFFECT sections. If you stop taking ofloxacin too soon or if you skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.

Other

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to ofloxacin.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking ofloxacin. If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often while taking ofloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish taking ofloxacin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Source

All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.