ofloxacin

Generic Name: ofloxacin
Other Brand Names: Floxin

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin?

Before taking ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

  • kidney disease;

  • seizures or epilepsy; or

  • a history of head injury or brain tumor.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ofloxacin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to 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.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Ofloxacin may interfere with bone development in a child.

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.

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.

Take ofloxacin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

Take ofloxacin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. 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.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

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 you are more than 2 hours late in taking your medicine, 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 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:

  • seizure (convulsions);

  • confusion, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there);

  • a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;

  • urinating less than usual or not at all;

  • tremors or shaking;

  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  • unusual thoughts or behavior;

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  • sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);

  • numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or

  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Continue using ofloxacin and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

  • feeling restless, nervous, or agitated;

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

  • headache, drowsiness;

  • vaginal itching or discharge;

  • ringing in the ears; or

  • sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is the most important information I should know about ofloxacin?

Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. 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.

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.

Take ofloxacin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

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.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Ofloxacin may interfere with bone development in a child.

There are certain medicines you should not take within the 2 hours before or after you take ofloxacin. This includes antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx), and vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc. Taking these other medicines too close to your dose of ofloxacin can make the antibiotic much less effective.

What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin?

There are certain medicines you should not take within the 2 hours before or after you take ofloxacin. This includes antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx), and vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc. Taking these other medicines too close to your dose of ofloxacin can make the antibiotic much less effective.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Ofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out 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:

  • theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);

  • probenecid (Benemid);

  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

  • cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);

  • cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);

  • insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others; or

  • aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use ofloxacin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an ofloxacin overdose may include drowsiness, nausea, hot or cold feeling, confusion, and slurred speech.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008