Drug Name

Floxin (Ofloxacin)

Drug Uses

Floxin is used for treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.

How to use

Use Floxin as directed by your doctor.

• Take Floxin by mouth with or without food.
• Take Floxin 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 Floxin.
• Floxin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, take Floxin for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Floxin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It kills sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Floxin, 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.

Storage

Store Floxin between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Floxin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Floxin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Floxin;
• you are allergic to any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic (e.g., ciprofloxacin);
• you have abnormal blood electrolyte levels (e.g., low potassium or magnesium) or a history of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (e.g., QTc interval prolongation);
• you are taking medicines for heart rhythm disturbances (e.g., quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol);
• you are taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen) or typhoid oral vaccine.

• Floxin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Floxin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Floxin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Floxin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Diabetes patients - Floxin 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 Floxin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Floxin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold).
• Long-term or repeated use of Floxin 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.
• Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. 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 Floxin 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 Floxin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Floxin while you are pregnant. Floxin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Floxin.

Possible 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; sensitivity to sunlight; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

• 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; decreased urination; depression; diarrhea (severe or continuing); difficulty swallowing; excessive urination, thirst, or hunger; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fatigue; fever, chills, or unusual cough; hallucinations; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain or swelling; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness; mental or mood changes; nervousness; nightmares; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; seizures; shortness of breath; shock (pale skin); sleeplessness; severe or persistent stomach pain/cramps; suicidal thoughts; tendon pain, inflammation, or swelling; tightness of the throat; tingling; tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; urination problems; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing of skin or eyes.

More Information

If you have any questions about Floxin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Floxin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.