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Ofloxacin Drug Info
Generic Name: Ofloxacin Tablets (oh-FLOX-uh-SIN)
Brand Name: Floxin
Ofloxacin is used for:
Treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain
bacteria.
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It kills
sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential
proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.
Do NOT use Ofloxacin if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Ofloxacin
you are allergic to any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin)
you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen)
or typhoid oral vaccine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away
if any of these apply to you.
Before using Ofloxacin :
Some medical conditions may interact with Ofloxacin
. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical
conditions, especially if any of the following apply
to you:
if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have diabetes
if you have heart problems, including irregular heartbeat; liver or kidney
disease; or low potassium levels
if you have Alzheimer disease, hardening in the arteries in the brain, seizures,
increased pressure on the brain, or another central nervous system disorder
if you have tendonitis
if your skin is sensitive to sunlight
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Ofloxacin . Tell your
health care provider if you are taking any other medicines,
especially any of the following:
Foscarnet, NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), or tramadol because
the risk of seizures may be increased
Insulin or other medicines for diabetes (eg, glipizide) because the risk
of low blood sugar may be increased
Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), procainamide, or theophylline because the
risk of their side effects may be increased by Ofloxacin
Live typhoid vaccine because its effectiveness may be decreased by Ofloxacin
Aluminum salts (eg, aluminum hydroxide), iron salts (oral) (eg, ferrous sulfate),
or magnesium salts (eg, magnesium hydroxide) because they may decrease Ofloxacin
's effectiveness. Take ofloxacin 2 hours before or 2 hours after these medicines
to offset this effect.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions
that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ofloxacin
may interact with other medicines that you take. Check
with your health care provider before you start, stop,
or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Ofloxacin :
Use Ofloxacin as directed by your doctor. Check the
label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Ofloxacin by mouth with or without food.
Take Ofloxacin with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Drink several glasses
of water daily, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
Do not drink milk or eat dairy products, or take antacids, sucralfate, or
vitamins within 2 hours before or after taking Ofloxacin .
Ofloxacin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
To clear up your infection completely, take Ofloxacin for the full course
of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for
your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may
have about how to use Ofloxacin .
Important safety information:
Ofloxacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness.
These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol
or certain medicines. Use Ofloxacin with caution. Do
not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until
you know how you react to it.
Ofloxacin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps,
or tanning booths until you know how you react to Ofloxacin . Use a sunscreen
or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
Diabetes patients - Ofloxacin may affect your blood sugar when taken along
with insulin or other medicines for diabetes. Check blood sugar levels closely.
Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Ofloxacin before you receive any
medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Long-term or repeated use of Ofloxacin may cause a second infection. Tell
your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to
be changed to treat this.
If you experience pain or inflammation, or rupture a tendon during or shortly
after taking ofloxacin, contact your health care provider immediately.
Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea,
or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your
doctor.
Be sure to use Ofloxacin for the full course of treatment. If you do not,
the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could
also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the
infection harder to treat in the future.
Lab tests, including kidney function tests, may be performed while you use
Ofloxacin . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for
side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
Ofloxacin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety
and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Ofloxacin while you
are pregnant. Ofloxacin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking
Ofloxacin .
Possible side effects of Ofloxacin :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people
have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor
if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become
bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea;
nervousness; sensitivity to sunlight; trouble sleeping;
vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE
side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth,
face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; bizarre behavior;
bloody stools; confusion; convulsions; dark urine; depression;
diarrhea (severe or continuing); difficulty swallowing;
excessive urination, thirst, or hunger; fatigue; fever;
hallucinations; hoarseness; increased pressure within
the head; joint or muscle pain or swelling; lightheadedness;
loss of consciousness; nervousness; nightmares; pale
stools; paranoia; rapid heartbeat; rash, skin burning,
redness, swelling, blisters, itching, or skin inflammation;
restlessness; seizures; shock (pale skin); sleeplessness;
stomach pain/cramps; suicidal thoughts; tendon pain,
inflammation, or swelling; tightness of the throat; tingling;
tremors; urination problems; vaginal irritation or discharge;
yellowing of skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that
may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice
about side effects, contact your doctor or health care
provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
(1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of
Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center
(http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room
immediately. Symptoms may include: facial swelling and
numbness; hot and cold flushes; mild to moderate disorientation;
slurring of speech.
Proper storage of Ofloxacin :
Store Ofloxacin below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store
away from heat, moisture, and light. Store in a tightly
closed container. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep
Ofloxacin out of the reach of children and away from
pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Ofloxacin , please
talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care
provider.
Ofloxacin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do
not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This information is summary only. It does not contain
all information about Ofloxacin . If you have questions
about the medicine you are taking or would like more
information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other
health care provider.
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