General Information
Brand names and manufacturer
Type: OTC/Prescription/schedule
Pronunciation
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Oflox tab (Cipla)
Oflacin tab (Micro Gratia)
Ofloxacin is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Ofloxacin pronounced as: oh-FLOX-a-sin
Ofloxacin is a broad spectrum antibacterial drug belonging to fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics.
Ofloxacin is used in the treatment of typhoid fever, community acquired pneumonia, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), non gonnococcal urethritis,
Prostatitis, urinary tract infections (UTI), bacterial conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, ear infections etc
Take ofloxacin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take oral dose of ofloxacin before or after meals with one glass of water at regular intervals as prescribed by your doctor. Take lots of oral fluids when on this medication.
Do not take antacids and diary product (curd, milk) with Ofloxacin medication as it decreases its absorption. However you may take it 2 hrs before or 6hrs after taking ofloxacin medication.
Do not skip any doses. Continue to take it even when you feel better.
You must complete the entire course of medication to get maximum benefit; else the infection will not clear completely and in due course result in development of resistance.
- Ofloxacin is known to interact with wide variety of drugs. Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like
- Anti arrhythmic drugs (Quindine, Amiodarone)
- Anti psychiatric drugs(thioridazine, ziprasidone, duloxetine
- Oral steroid drugs( betamethasone, Dexmethsaone, Prednisone )
- Oral hypoglycaemic drugs (glyburide, glyclizide)
- NSAIDS( Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin)
- Other antibiotics( Erythromycin)
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical conditions as Ofloxacin should be used cautiously in the below mentioned conditions
- Kidney or liver disease
- History of tendon or joint injury
- Seizure disorder
- Diabetes
- Family history of long QT interval
- Low potassium levels in blood (hypokalemia)
Do not use ofloxacin if you are hypersensitive to any other fluoroquinolone.
Children:
Old people: Ofloxacin medication should be used cautiously in elderly individual as the risk of tendon injury is more when on this medication.
Pregnant woman: Ofloxacin belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that ofloxacin may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether ofloxacin passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take ofloxacin with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other: Ofloxacin impairs thought process and causes drowsiness. Avoid activities which require you to be alert.
Ofloxacin is available as tablet, oral solution, injection, eye drops and ear drops. Your doctor will prescribe them depending on the severity of the disease.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
For detailed dosage information, consult your doctor who will prescribe you depending on the severity of the disease.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of ofloxacin are
- Slurred speech
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
Ofloxacin may causes following side effects like
- Abnormal taste sensation
- Mood changes( irritability, confusion, anxiety)
- Sleep disturbance( insomnia, nightmares)
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Drowsiness
- Nausea & vomiting
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Sudden onset of pain, swelling , stiffness in joints( ankle or arm)
- Palpitations, irregular heart beat
- Convulsions
- Severe diarrhoea
- Severe depression, suicidal thoughts and mood changes
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
Store ofloxacin at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure as Ofloxacin sensitizes the exposed skin causing burning sensation, rash etc. Use long sleeved clothes, sunscreen lotion (SPF-15) when you go out in sun to avoid photo toxicity.
Antibiotics may cause diarrhoea. Consult your doctor immediately if it is very severe as it could be a sign of new infection or pseudomembranous colitis.
Your doctor may advise you to undergo certain lab test like complete cell count, liver function test, renal function test periodically when Ofloxacin is prescribed for long duration.
If you are diabetic taking this medication keep a close watch on your sugar levels.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 05, 2012