ofloxacin (oral)

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

Ofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.

What is ofloxacin?

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 that may not be reversible. 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 should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis, or other joint problems;
• blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries;
• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler's-Danlos syndrome;
• diabetes;
• a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a seizure;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

How should I take ofloxacin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take ofloxacin with or without food, at the same time each day.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Ofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use ofloxacin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin?

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 before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

What are the possible side effects of ofloxacin?

Ofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, side effects on your nerves (which may cause permanent nerve damage), serious mood or behavior changes (after just one dose), or low blood sugar (which can lead to coma).

• low blood sugar --headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, or feeling anxious or shaky;
• nerve symptoms in your hands, arms, legs, or feet --numbness, weakness, tingling, burning pain;
• serious mood or behavior changes --nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
• 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).

• 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;
• muscle weakness, breathing problems;
• 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 other drugs will affect ofloxacin?

• 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 other medicines, especially:

• theophylline;
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine (check your blood sugar regularly);
• heart rhythm medication;
• medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
• steroid medicine (such as prednisone); or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect ofloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about ofloxacin.

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.

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