Ofloxacin

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used as a treatment for a variety of bacterial infections. Solutions are available for ear infections and eye infections.

How does it work?

• Ofloxacin inhibits metabolic activities in the bacteria causing its death.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Use entire prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

Oral:

• Take with or without food. Take with food (no milk or yogurt) if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Do not take dairy products, antacids, didanosine, multivitamins, minerals (calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium), nutritional supplements, or sucralfate within 4 hours of this medicine.
• Make sure that you are drinking enough fluids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.

Eye:

• For the eye only.
• Take out soft contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given.
• Do not touch the bottle or tube tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.
• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.
• After using medicine keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps medicine in the eye.
• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes. Give one and wait 5 minutes before using the next.

Ear:

• For the ear only. Shake suspension well first.
• Wash your hands before and after applying.
• Lie on side with affected ear up.
• For adults, hold the ear lobe up and back.
• For children, hold ear down and back.
• Instill drops in ear without touching dropper to ear. Stay on side for 2 minutes or insert cotton plug into ear.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with warfarin.
• Not recommended in children younger than 18 years of age.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Alcohol may make infection more difficult to treat.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses if you have an infection. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

Oral:

• Belly pain and cramps.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.

Eye:

• Short-term burning, discomfort.

Ear:

• Itching, application site reaction (irritation), dizziness, earache.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Watch for change in temperature or worsening of infection.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Pain in back of the ankle. The part called the Achilles tendon.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets/eye solution in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
• Store ear solution at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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