floxin

Floxin (ofloxacin) is an antibiotic in a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Ofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Floxin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, prostate, or urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). Floxin is also used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.

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

Important information

You may not be able to use Floxin if you have a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

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. This effect may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take 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, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Floxin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).

You may not be able to use Floxin if you have a muscle disorder. Tell your doctor if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

To make sure Floxin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you take medication to treat it;

• slow heartbeats, or a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• tendon problems, arthritis or other joint problems;

• a muscle or nerve disorder;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;

• kidney disease;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a history of head injury or brain tumor;

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;

• diabetes (especially if you use insulin or take oral diabetes medication);

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

• if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin) and have "INR" or prothrombin time tests.

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. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking Floxin. Tendon problems may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Floxin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Ofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take Floxin?

Floxin is usually taken every 12 hours. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking Floxin.

You may take Floxin with or without food. Take the medicine at the same time each day.

Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Floxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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

Do not share this medicine with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

This medication can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking Floxin.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid?

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 ofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time:

• 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;

• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Floxin can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. 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 bloody, stop taking Floxin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Floxin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Floxin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Floxin: hives, or the first sign of a skin rash; fast heartbeats, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Floxin may cause swelling or tearing of (rupture) a tendon. Floxin can also have serious effects on your nerves, and may cause permanent nerve damage. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• 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); or

• nerve symptoms--numbness, tingling, burning pain, or being more sensitive to temperature, light touch, or the sense of your body position.

Stop using Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats;

• dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• muscle weakness or trouble breathing;

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;

• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding;

• depression, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, tremors, feeling restless or anxious, unusual thoughts or behavior, insomnia, nightmares;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• increased pressure inside the skull-- severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes.

Common Floxin side effects may include:

• stomach discomfort, vomiting, mild diarrhea;

• vaginal itching or discharge;

• mild dizziness; or

• mild 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.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Floxin?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Floxin, especially:

• theophylline;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• heart rhythm medication--amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, and others;

• medicine to treat depression or mental illness--amitriptylline, clomipramine, clozapine, desipramine, duloxetine, iloperidone, imipramine, nortriptyline, ziprasidone, and others; 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 interact with ofloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.