What is Floxin?
Floxin, also known as fluoroquinolone or flor-oKWIN-olone (pronounced flor-oKWIN-olone), is an antibiotic that combats bacteria within the body. Floxin can be used to treat bacterial infections of the bladder, kidneys, prostate, or skin. Floxin can also be used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia, and/or gonorrhea. Fluoroquinolone antibacterials may cause severe or permanent side effects. Floxin is only to be used for infections that cannot be treated by a safer alternative.
Warnings
Floxin may cause severe side effects, including nerve damage, mood or behavior changes, or low sugar. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using this medication and contact your doctor immediately: headaches, nausea, irritability, or numbness; tingling or burning pains; confusion, agitation, or paranoia; Problems with concentration or memory; thoughts of suicidal behavior; sudden pain; or issues related to movement are among the many health concerns you should take seriously. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience severe pain in your back, chest, or stomach. Floxin can cause swelling or tears in a tendon. If you experience sudden joint pain, swelling, bruising, or stiffness in any of the joints, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately.
Before you take this drug
Floxin should not be used if you have an allergy to ofloxacin (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and other fluoroquinolones). Ofloxacin can cause swelling or tears in a tendon (the fiber that connects muscles to bones in the body). This is most common in the Achilles tendon in the heel. It can occur during treatment or even several months after stopping Floxin. Tendon problems are more common in children, older adults, or those who have used steroid medication or undergone a transplant.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Tendon problems, bone problems, or arthritis
- Aneurysms, narrowing and hardening of arteries, blood circulation problems;
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- A genetic disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos or Marfan syndrome;
- Diabetes;
- A muscle or nerve disorder such as myasthenia gravis
- Liver or kidney disease
- A seizure;
- Long-QT syndrome
- Low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)
Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use Floxin. This medicine is not known to harm a baby in utero. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant. This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.
How to take Floxin?
Floxin should be taken every 12 to 24 hours. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or take it for longer than directed.Drink extra fluids and take this medication with water to help your kidneys work properly. Take this medication at the same time every day, with or without food. Even if you feel better quickly, continue to take this medication for the entire prescribed time.Skipping doses could result in an infection resistant to your medication. Floxin does not treat a virus, such as the flu, or a cold. Do not share Floxin with anyone else. You may get false results if you use this medicine. Tell the lab staff that you are using ofloxacin.Keep away from heat and moisture at room temperature.When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly. Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhea before taking anti-diarrhea medication. Ofloxacin can cause sunburn. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more. If you experience severe sunburn, redness, itchiness, rash, or swelling, tell your doctor.
Side effects of Floxin
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives or difficulty breathing) or a severe reaction on your skin (fever, sore mouth, burning eyes, pain in the skin, or a Should the red or purple rash spread and blister or peel, seek urgent medical assistance immediately.Floxin may cause serious side effects, such as tendon problems, nerve side effects (which could cause permanent nerve damage), mood or behavior changes that are severe (even after just one dose), and low blood sugar levels (which can lead to a coma).
Do not take this medication if you are experiencing:
- Low sugar—headaches, nausea, irritability, and a fast heartbeat.
- Nerve symptoms in the hands, arms, or legs include numbness and weakness, tingling, or burning pain.
- Mood or behavior changes that are serious: nervousness, confusion, or agitation; hallucinations; memory problems; or trouble concentrating.
- Signs of tendon rupture: sudden pain, swelling, or bruising; stiffness or tenderness in the joints.
Ofloxacin can cause damage to the aorta (the main blood vessel of the body) in rare cases.those suffering severe back, chest, or abdominal pain should seek immediate medical assistance.
Stop using floxin immediately and consult your doctor if:
- Diarrhea which is bloody or watery; severe abdominal pain.
- Heartbeats that are fluttering, shortness of breath, and dizziness (like passing out);
- Warning signs for skin issues should never be ignored, no matter how minor.
- Muscle weakness and breathing problems
- Little or no urination
- A seizure (convulsions);
- Increased pressure inside the skull; severe headaches or ringing in the ears; vision problems; and pain behind your eyelids;
- Liver disorders: upper stomach discomfort, lack of appetite, dark urine, and clay colored stools, jaundice, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Floxin may cause side effects such as:
- Nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
- Dizziness;
There may be other side effects. For medical advice regarding side effects, call your physician. If experiencing side effects that require reporting, contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report them.
Interaction with other drug
Ofloxacin can be rendered less effective if taken with certain medicines. Take your Floxin 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking any of the medicines listed below.
- Antiacids containing calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, such as Amphojel (Di-Gel Maalox), Mylanta (Milk of Magnesia), Pepcid Complete (Rolaids), Rulox (Tums), and others, or ulcer medicine sucralfate
- Didanosine, Videx powder, or chewable tablet;
- Vitamin or mineral supplements containing calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Theophylline;
- A blood thinner (Warfarin Coumadin Jantoven);
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Insulin (or oral diabetes medication) (check your blood glucose regularly);
- Heart rhythm medication
- Medicine to treat mental illness or depression
- Steroid medicine (such as prednisone);
- Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin (Indomethacin), celecoxib (Aleve), diclofenac (Advil), and many others.
This list is incomplete. Ofloxacin may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass all possible interactions.
