| Brand Name: Floxin | |
| Generic Name: Ofloxacin | |
| Therapeutic class: Antibiotic | |
| Pharmacologic class: Fluoroquinolone | |
| Pregnancy risk category C |
Ofloxacin is the active ingredient in this medication. Ofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs known as fluoroquinolones, which are used to treat bacterial infections. Ofloxacin is used to treat a variety of infections in adults, including the elderly, such as:
-Urinary tract infections (bladder and kidneys infection).
-Infections of the genital tract in both men and women (e.g., gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease).
-Infection of the chest or the lungs, skin and soft tissue.
Action:
Ofloxacin interferes with DNA gyrase, which is required for bacterial DNA synthesis. Many gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic bacteria, including Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are included in the spectrum of action.
Ophthalmic solution: 0.3%
Tablets: 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg
Ophthalmic
- After drug instillation, apply light finger pressure to the lacrimal sac for 1 minute.
P.O.
- Give the medication without regard for meals, but not with antacids or vitamins.
- Administer the medication with plenty of fluids.
| Urinary-tract infections | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| Adults: 200–400 mg daily, preferably in the morning; 400 mg twice daily, if necessary, in upper urinary tract infections. |
| Complicated urinary-tract infection | |
| BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION | |
| Adults: 200 mg daily, increased to 400 mg twice daily if necessary; dose increased for severe or complicated infections; administered over at least 30 minutes for each 200 mg. |
| Acute or chronic prostatitis | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| Adults should take 200 mg twice daily for 28 days. |
| Lower respiratory-tract infections | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| Adults: 400 mg daily, preferably first thing in the morning, then 400 mg twice daily if necessary. | |
| BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION | |
| Adults: 200 mg twice daily, increased to 400 mg twice daily for severe or complicated infections, to be administered over at least 30 minutes for each 200mg dose. |
| Skin and soft-tissue infections | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| 400 mg twice daily for adults | |
| BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION | |
| Adults: 400 mg twice daily, separated by at least 30 minutes for each 200 mg dose. |
| Uncomplicated gonorrhea | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| 400 mg in a single dose for adults |
| Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection/ non-gonococcal urethritis | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| Adults: 400 mg daily for 7 days; the dose can be taken as a single daily dose or divided into smaller doses. |
| Pelvic inflammatory disease | |
| BY MOUTH | |
| Adults should take 400 mg twice daily for 14 days. |
| Acute myocardial infarction (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). | |
| Bradycardia (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). | |
| Congenital long QT syndrome (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). | |
| Electrolyte disturbances (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). | |
| Heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). | |
| History of psychiatric illness. | |
| History of symptomatic arrhythmias (a risk factor for QT interval prolongation). |
(Orally):
- Blackbox Warning: This medication has been linked to an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, particularly in patients over the age of 60 and those who have had a heart, kidney, or lung transplant.
- Patients who are hypersensitive to the drug or other fluoroquinolones should not take it.
- Use with caution in pregnant women and those who have seizure disorders, CNS diseases such as cerebral arteriosclerosis, hepatic disorders, or renal impairment.
- Ofloxacin levels in breast milk are comparable to those found in plasma. Breast-feeding or pregnant women have not been tested for safety.
- There is no evidence of safety or efficacy in children under the age of 18.
- Overdose S&S (sign and symptoms):
- Seizures, increased intracranial pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, fever, headache, insomnia, lethargy, malaise, nervousness, sleep disorders, visual disturbances are all symptoms of the (central nervous system).
- Chest pain and phlebitis are symptoms of (cardiovascular system).
- (GI symptoms) include nausea, pseudomembranous colitis, abdominal pain or discomfort, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dysgeusia, flatulence, and vomiting.
- External genital pruritus in women, glycosuria, hematuria, proteinuria, vaginal discharge, vaginitis are all (symptoms of Genitourinary System).
- (Hematologic disorders) include leukopenia, neutropenia, anemia, eosinophilia, and leukocytosis.
- Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are (metabolic conditions).
- (Musculoskeletal) pain in the body, tendon rupture.
- Photosensitivity, pruritus, and rash on the (skin).
- (Other reactions) include anaphylactoid reactions and hypersensitivity reactions.
- (Drug-drug interaction) Aluminum hydroxide, aluminum-magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide: These substances may reduce the effectiveness of ofloxacin. Antacid should be taken at least 6 hours before or 2 hours after ofloxacin.
Antidiabetics
Can cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia by affecting glucose levels. (Keep an eye on the patient).
Didanosine
(Chewable or buffered tablets, or pediatric powder for oral solution): May interfere with ofloxacin GI absorption. Doses should be spaced out by 2 hours.
Insulin, hypoglycemic agents (oral)
Increases hypoglycemic action. (Use with caution).
Iron salts
May reduce ofloxacin absorption, reducing anti-infective response. Allow a minimum of 2 hours between doses.
Blackbox Warning
Steroids may increase the possibility of tendinitis and tendon rupture. (Keep an eye on the patient for tendon pain or inflammation).
Sucralfate
May reduce ofloxacin absorption, lowering anti-infective response. If you can't avoid using them together, space them out by at least 6 hours.
Theophylline
Theophylline levels may rise. (Keep a close eye on the patient and adjust theophylline dosage as needed).
Warfarin
May cause PT and INR to be prolonged. (Keep an eye on your PT and INR0.
(Drug-lifestyle)
Photosensitivity reactions may occur as a result of sun exposure. Advise the patient to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
1.Joint Formulary Committee (2019). BNF 78: September 2019-March 2020. 78th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press.
2.Williams and Wolters Kluwer Health (2012). Nursing 2012 drug handbook. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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