Floxin

Floxin

Generic Name: ofloxacin (oh FLOX a sin)

Brand Names: Floxin

What is Floxin?

Floxin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. This group of antibiotics is used to fight bacteria in the body.

Floxin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.

Floxin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Floxin

You should not use Floxin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Floxin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, joint problems, myasthenia gravis, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take Floxin. These other medicines can make Floxin much less effective when taken at the same time. Floxin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Floxin with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Before taking Floxin

You should not use Floxin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Floxin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take Floxin, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;

myasthenia gravis;

joint problems;

kidney or liver disease;

epilepsy or a history of seizures;

diabetes;

low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or

a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether Floxin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Floxin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Floxin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Floxin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Floxin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

See also: Floxin pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Floxin?

Take Floxin 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. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Floxin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

You may take Floxin with or without food, but take it at the same time each day.

If you are being treated for gonorrhea, your doctor may also have you tested for syphilis, another sexually transmitted disease.

Take Floxin for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Floxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Floxin.

Store Floxin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

See also: Floxin dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What should I avoid while taking Floxin?

You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as Floxin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 2 hours before or after you take Floxin. These other medicines can make Floxin much less effective when taken at the same time:

antacids that contain calcium, magnesium or aluminum (such as Tums, Mylanta, or Rolaids);

the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);

didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or

vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron, or zinc.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Floxin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen (SPF-15 or higher) if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being 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.

Floxin 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.

Floxin side effects

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 Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

seizure (convulsions);

confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;

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

easy bruising or bleeding;

urinating less than usual or not at all;

numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;

pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;

fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Less serious Floxin side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;

feeling restless or anxious;

headache, dizziness;

muscle pain;

sleep problems (insomnia), or nightmares;

vaginal itching or discharge; or

mild skin itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Floxin side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Floxin?

Before taking Floxin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

cimetidine (Tagamet);

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);

insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase);

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

a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), etodolac (Lodine), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or

an oral steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Floxin. 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.

More Floxin resources

Floxin Side Effects (in More Detail)

Floxin Dosage

Floxin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Floxin Drug Interactions

Floxin Support Group

1 Review for Floxin - Add your own review/rating

Floxin MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Floxin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Floxin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Ofloxacin Prescribing Information (FDA)

Ofloxacin Monograph (AHFS DI)

Ofloxacin Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Floxin I.V.

Compare Floxin with other medications

Anthrax

Anthrax Prophylaxis

Bladder Infection

Bone infection

Bronchitis

Campylobacter Gastroenteritis

Cervicitis

Chancroid

Chlamydia Infection

Epididymitis, Non-Specific

Epididymitis, Sexually Transmitted

Gonococcal Infection, Disseminated

Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated

Joint Infection

Kidney Infections

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infection

Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, Treatment

Nongonococcal Urethritis

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Plague

Pneumonia

Prostatitis

Salmonella Enteric Fever

Salmonella Gastroenteritis

Shigellosis

Skin Infection

Traveler's Diarrhea

Tuberculosis, Active

Urinary Tract Infection

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Floxin.