What is norfloxacin?
Norfloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones).
Norfloxacin fights bacteria in the body.
Norfloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the prostate and urinary tract. Norfloxacin
also treats gonorrhea.
Norfloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking norfloxacin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to norfloxacin or other
fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox),
ofloxacin (Floxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking norfloxacin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you
are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute),
disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone
(Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take norfloxacin:
-
a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
-
myasthenia gravis;
-
joint problems;
-
kidney or liver disease;
-
epilepsy or a history of seizures;
-
diabetes;
-
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
-
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether norfloxacin is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan
to become pregnant during treatment.
Norfloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Norfloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking norfloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the
same symptoms you do.
How should I take norfloxacin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take norfloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid
each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.
Take norfloxacin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating a meal,
drinking milk, or eating a dairy product such as yogurt or cheese.
If you are being treated for gonorrhea, your doctor may also have you tested for syphilis,
another sexually transmitted disease.
Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin
to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Norfloxacin
will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose of norfloxacin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about norfloxacin?
Your pharmacist has information about norfloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of norfloxacin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using norfloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
-
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
-
sudden pain, snapping or popping sound, bruising, loss of
movement, or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or
feet;
-
pain in your upper stomach, loss of appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness;
-
fever, swollen glands, general ill feeling;
-
sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling,
and red skin rash; or
-
the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, vomiting, mild stomach pain, constipation;
-
feeling restless or anxious;
-
headache, dizziness;
-
muscle pain;
-
sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares);
-
vaginal itching or discharge; or
-
mild skin itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about norfloxacin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to norfloxacin or similar antibiotics
such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin),
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking norfloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis,
joint problems, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a
personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."
Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine
(Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take norfloxacin. These other
medicines can make norfloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.
Taking norfloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight,
sun lamps, or tanning beds.
Norfloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to
muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to
occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or
lung transplant. Stop taking norfloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the
same symptoms you do.
What should I avoid while taking norfloxacin?
You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as
norfloxacin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 2 hours before or after you take norfloxacin.
These other medicines can make norfloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time:
-
antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox,
Mylanta, or Rolaids);
-
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
-
didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
-
vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc.
Avoid caffeine while you are taking norfloxacin, because the medication can
make the effects of caffeine stronger.
Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Norfloxacin can make your skin
more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen
(SPF-15 or higher) if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness,
itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have
diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the
diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
Norfloxacin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect norfloxacin?
Before taking norfloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as
glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase);
-
nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid);
-
probenecid (Benemid);
-
ropinirole (Requip);
-
tacrine (Cognex);
-
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid,
Elixophyllin);
-
tizanidine (Zanaflex);
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), etodolac (Lodine), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren),
indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn,
Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
-
an oral steroid medication such as betamethasone
(Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone
(Orapred), prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
norfloxacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of norfloxacin?
