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In this Article

• What is ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• What are the possible side effects of ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• How should I take ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Floxin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Floxin)?
• What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• What other drugs will affect ofloxacin (Floxin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin (Floxin)?

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

Before taking ofloxacin, 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 ofloxacin, 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 ofloxacin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ofloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Ofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin 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.

How should I take ofloxacin (Floxin)?

Take this medication 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 ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin 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 this medication 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. Ofloxacin 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 ofloxacin.

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