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Ofloxacin |
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What is Ofloxacin and why is it prescribed? Ofloxacin is an antibiotic. Ofloxacin tablets have been used effectively to treat lower respiratory tract infections, including chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infections of the urinary tract, prostate gland, and skin. Ofloxacin kills a variety of bacteria, and is frequently used to treat infections in many parts of the body. However, you should stop taking Ofloxacin and notify your doctor immediately at the first sign of a skin rash or any other allergic reaction. Although quite rare, serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions have been reported, some after only one dose. Signs of an impending reaction include swelling of the face and throat, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, rapid heartbeat, tingling, itching, and hives. How should you take Ofloxacin? Follow your doctors directions for taking Ofloxacin. You may take Ofloxacin tablets with or without food. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids while taking the tablets. Do not take mineral supplements, vitamins with iron or minerals, Videx chewable tablets and pediatric powder, or antacids containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium within 2 hours of taking Ofloxacin tablets. You need to complete the full course of therapy to obtain best results and decrease the risk of a recurrence of the infection. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. Store Ofloxacin at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Are there any Ofloxacin side effects? Ofloxacin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Ofloxacin side effects may include diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, headache, itching of genital area in women, nausea, vaginal inflammation, and vomiting. Less common or rare Ofloxacin side effects may include abdominal pain and cramps, aggressiveness or hostility, agitation, anemia, anxiety, asthma, blood in the urine, blurred vision, body pain, bruising, burning or rash of the female genitals, burning sensation in the upper chest, changeable emotions, changes in thinking and perception, chest pain, confusion, conjunctivitis, continual runny nose, constipation, cough, decreased appetite, depression, difficult or labored breathing, disorientation, disturbed dreams, disturbed sense of smell, double vision, dry mouth, exaggerated sense of well-being, excessive perspiration, fainting, fatigue, fear, fever, fluid retention, frequent urination, gas, hallucinations, hearing disturbance or loss, hepatitis, hiccups, high or low blood pressure, high or low blood sugar, hives, inability to urinate, increased urination, indigestion, inflammation of the colon, inflammation or rupture of tendons, intolerance to light, involuntary eye movement, itching, joint pain, kidney problems, lack of coordination, light-headedness, liver problems, menstrual changes, muscle pain, nervousness, nightmares, nosebleed, pain, pain in arms and legs, painful or difficult urination, purple or red areas/spots on the skin, rapid heartbeat, rash, reddened skin, restlessness, ringing in the ears, seizures, sensitivity to light, severe allergic reaction, skin inflammation and flaking or eruptions, sleepiness, sleep problems, sore mouth or throat, speech difficulty, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, stomach and intestinal upset or bleeding, taste distortion, thirst, throbbing or fluttering heartbeat, tingling or pins and needles, tremor, unexplained bleeding from the uterus, vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast infection, vague feeling of illness, vertigo, visual disturbances, weakness, weight loss, and yellowing of eyes and skin. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Ofloxacin? If Ofloxacin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Ofloxacin with Antacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, Blood thinners (such as Coumadin), Calcium supplements (such as Caltrate), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Didanosine (Videx), Insulin, Iron supplements (such as Feosol), Multivitamins containing zinc, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Motrin and Naprosyn), Oral diabetes drugs (such as Diabinese and Micronase), Probenecid (Benemid), Sucralfate (Carafate), or Theophylline-containing drugs (such as Theo-Dur). Are there any special warnings about Ofloxacin? Ofloxacin tablets, used in high doses for short periods of time, may hide or delay the symptoms of syphilis, but is not effective in treating syphilis. If you are taking Ofloxacin for gonorrhea, your doctor will test you for syphilis and then perform a follow-up test after 3 months of treatment. Convulsions, increased pressure in the head, psychosis, tremors, restlessness, light-headedness, nervousness, confusion, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and hallucinations have occasionally been reported with this type of antibiotic. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking Ofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately. Like all antibiotics, Ofloxacin has been known to cause serious inflammation of the bowels. Notify your doctor if you develop diarrhea during or after a course of therapy with Ofloxacin. Ofloxacin can cause a rupture in the muscle tendons in your hand, shoulder, or heel. If you notice any pain and inflammation in a tendon, rest and avoid exercise until you have seen your doctor. If you are prone to seizures due to kidney disease, a brain disorder, or epilepsy, make sure your doctor knows about it. Ofloxacin tablets should be used with caution under these conditions. If you have liver or kidney disease, your doctor will watch you closely while you are taking Ofloxacin tablets. Avoid being in the sun too much. You can develop sun poisoning while you are taking Ofloxacin tablets. Ofloxacin tablets may make you feel dizzy or light-headed. Ofloxacin tablets have not been tested in children under 18. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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