What is ofloxacin?
Ofloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Ofloxacin
fights bacteria in the body.
Ofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia,
gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.
Ofloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones
such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin),
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.
Before taking ofloxacin, 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 certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:
-
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 ofloxacin is
harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ofloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell
your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Ofloxacin 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.
Ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin 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 have.
How should I take ofloxacin?
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 ofloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each
day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.
You may take ofloxacin with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.
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. Ofloxacin will
not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using ofloxacin.
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 ofloxacin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about ofloxacin?
Your pharmacist has information about ofloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of ofloxacin?
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 ofloxacin 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 or swelling near your joints (especially in your
arm or ankle);
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easy bruising or bleeding;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or
feet;
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pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
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fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
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the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;
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feeling restless or anxious;
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headache, dizziness;
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muscle pain;
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sleep problems (insomnia), or nightmares;
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vaginal itching or discharge; or
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mild skin itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about ofloxacin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ofloxacin or similar antibiotics such
as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and
others.
Before taking ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, joint problems,
myasthenia gravis, 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 ofloxacin. These other
medicines can make ofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.
Ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin 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 have.
What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin?
You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as
ofloxacin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 2 hours before or after you take ofloxacin.
These other medicines can make ofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time:
-
antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as
Tums, Mylanta, or Rolaids);
-
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
-
didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
-
vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron,
or zinc.
Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Ofloxacin 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.
Ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin?
Before taking ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as
glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase);
-
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid,
Elixophyllin);
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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
ofloxacin. 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 ofloxacin?
