* Generic Name: ofloxacin
* Brand Name: Floxin
* What is ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* What are the possible side effects of ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* How should I take ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Floxin)?
* What happens if I overdose (Floxin)?
* What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* What other drugs will affect ofloxacin (Floxin)?
* Where can I get more information (Floxin)?
What is ofloxacin (Floxin)?
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic
that fights bacteria in the body.
Ofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, lungs,
prostate, or urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). Ofloxacin
is also used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia
and/or gonorrhea.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side
effects. Ofloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be
treated with a safer antibiotic.
Ofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of ofloxacin (Floxin)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
(hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a
severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes,
skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering
and peeling).
Ofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of (rupture) a tendon.
Ofloxacin can also have serious effects on your nerves, and may cause
permanent nerve damage. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor
at once if you have:
* signs of tendon rupture--sudden pain, swelling, bruising,
tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping
sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions); or
* nerve symptoms--numbness, tingling, burning pain, or being more
sensitive to temperature, light touch, or the sense of your
body position.
Also, stop using ofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:
* severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
* fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of
breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
* the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
* confusion, hallucinations, nightmares, paranoia,
depression, thoughts about hurting yourself;
* tremors, anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling restless or
nervous;
* muscle weakness, breathing problems;
* sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat,
mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding, pale skin;
* little or no urination;
* a seizure (convulsions);
* increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in
your ears, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
* liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
* dizziness; or
* headache.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about ofloxacin
(Floxin)?
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. This effect may be more likely to occur if you are
over 60, if you use steroid medication, or if you have had a
kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
Call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, bruising,
tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest
the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin
(Floxin)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to ofloxacin or
other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin,
levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).
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. This can happen during treatment or up to several
months after you stop taking ofloxacin. Tendon problems may be more
likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or
if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
To make sure ofloxacin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
ever had:
* tendon problems, arthritis or other joint problems (especially
in children);
* myasthenia gravis or other nerve-muscle disorder;
* slow heartbeats or other heart rhythm disorder (especially if you
take medication to treat it);
* long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
* liver or kidney disease;
* a seizure;
* low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
* if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)
and have "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
Ofloxacin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Ofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take ofloxacin (Floxin)?
Ofloxacin is usually taken every 12 hours. Follow all directions on
your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller
amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take ofloxacin with water, and drink extra fluids to keep your kidneys
working properly.
Ofloxacin may be taken with or without food, but take it at the same
time each day.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms
may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses
may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to
antibiotics. Ofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the
flu or a common cold.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the
same symptoms you have.
This medicine can cause you to have a false positive drug screening
test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the
laboratory staff that you are taking ofloxacin.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
tightly closed when not in use.
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What happens if I miss a dose (Floxin)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Floxin)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin (Floxin)?
Ofloxacin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you
to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Ofloxacin can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Call your doctor if you have
severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the
sun.
What other drugs will affect ofloxacin (Floxin)?
Some medicines can make ofloxacin much less effective when taken at the
same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your
ofloxacin dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take the other
medicine.
* antacids that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (such as
Amphojel, Di-Gel Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta,
Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, Tums, and others), or the
ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
* didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
* vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron,
magnesium, or zinc.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
stop using, especially:
* theophylline;
* a diuretic or "water pill";
* insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
* heart rhythm medication;
* medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
* NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib,
diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others; or
* steroid medicine--prednisone, methylprednisolone, and
others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with ofloxacin,
including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Floxin)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about ofloxacin.
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