Ofloxacin

• Urinary tract infection
• Skin infections
• Infection of stomach and intestine
• Respiratory infections
• Male and female genital organs infections
• Infection due to micro organism called chlamydia or gonorrhea

When should one not use Ofloxacin

• If you are allergic to ofloxacin or other medicines similar to it like ofloxacin or norfloxacin. Allergic reaction include rash, difficulty in breathing , swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• If you have epilepsy or fits
• If you have problems related to tendon like inflammation and swelling of the tendons (tendonitis)
• If you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby or breastfeeding
• If your age is less than 18 years
• If you have glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells) or a family history of this deficiency

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Allergic reaction like- fever, chills, rash, hives, breathing difficulty, swelling over your face, lips, throat-immediately see your doctor
• Serious permanent tendon and nerve damage which may manifest as pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, burning, altered sensations, tremors, snapping or popping sound in your joints
• Signs of increased pressure in the skull- vision changes, pain behind your eyes, ringing in your ears, headache. Liver problem- Diarrhea, nausea, upper abdominal pain, yellow discoloration of eyes, nails, skin, dark urine, clay colored stool
• Fainting, slow or fast breathing, fast heart beats, headache, and chest pain
• Mucus or bloody diarrhea, with stomach cramps or pain. (Do not take any anti diarrhea drug to stop this. Inform your doctor immediately)
• Sore skin, easy bruising, bleeding, sunburn, purple rash on skin causing ulceration and bleeding
• Fits
• Altered mood, behavioral changes, depression, hallucination, paranoia, tremors, insomnia, and nightmares.

Other General Warnings

• Mental illness
• Lliver or kidney disease
• Myasthenia gravis-illness with excessive muscle weakness
• You are diabetic or suffer from low blood sugar
• Heart problems
• You have to be cautious while taking ofloxacin if you have
• You have or your family history is positive for prolonged QT interval (seen on ECG)
• Have salt imbalance in the blood
• Have a very slow heart rhythm (called ‘bradycardia’), have a weak heart (heart failure)
• Have a history of heart attack (myocardial infarction), you are female or elderly or you are taking other medicines that result in abnormal ECG changes (see section on interactions with other medicines).
• If your eyesight becomes impaired consult an eye specialist immediately.
• If you experience a skin rash or allergic reaction, or
• have severe diarrhoea, (which may be bloody) with stomach pain and fever, or
• notice pain, tenderness, or restricted movement of the tendons, or
• notice numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicine:
• Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gemifloxacin, norfloxacin, moxifloxacin ( more chances of side effects)
• Diuretics
• Heart rhythm drugs- amiodarone, quinidine, sotalol etc
• Theophylline
• Methotrexate
• Blood thinners- warfarin, jantoven,Coumadin
• NSAIDs- diclofenac, indomethacin, aspirin, naproxen etc
• Medicines used to treat depression and psychological conditions
• Products that contain calcium, aluminium, zinc, magnesium

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose