What is ofloxacin?

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.

Ofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, lungs, prostate, or urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). Ofloxacin is also used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia and/or gonorrhea.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects that may not be reversible. Ofloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Ofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ofloxacin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Ofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, side effects on your nerves (which may cause permanent nerve damage), serious mood or behavior changes (after just one dose), or low blood sugar (which can lead to coma).

Stop taking ofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• low blood sugar–headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, or feeling anxious or shaky;
• nerve symptoms in your hands, arms, legs, or feet–numbness, weakness, tingling, burning pain;
• serious mood or behavior changes–nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
• signs of tendon rupture–sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions).

In rare cases, ofloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, the main blood artery of the body. This could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

Also, stop using ofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• muscle weakness, breathing problems;
• little or no urination;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• increased pressure inside the skull–severe headaches, ringing in your ears, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• liver problems–upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects of ofloxacin may include:

• nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
• dizziness; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Ofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.

Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as: headache, hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration, thoughts of suicide, or sudden pain or movement problems in any of your joints.

In rare cases, ofloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, which could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use ofloxacin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and others).

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. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking ofloxacin. Tendon problems may be more likely in certain people (children and older adults, or people who use steroid medicine or have had an organ transplant).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis, or other joint problems;
• blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries;
• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler’s-Danlos syndrome;
• diabetes;
• a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a seizure;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Ofloxacin is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

How should I take ofloxacin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take ofloxacin with water, and drink extra fluids to keep your kidneys working properly.

You may take ofloxacin with or without food, at the same time each day.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Ofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share ofloxacin with another person.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use ofloxacin.

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how ofloxacin will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Ofloxacin could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Tell your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

What other drugs will affect ofloxacin?

Some medicines can make ofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your ofloxacin dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take the other medicine.

• antacids that contain calcium, magnesium, or aluminum (such as Amphojel, Di-Gel Maalox, Milk of Magnesia, Mylanta, Pepcid Complete, Rolaids, Rulox, Tums, and others), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
• didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain calcium, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• theophylline;
• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven);
• a diuretic or “water pill”;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine (check your blood sugar regularly);
• heart rhythm medication;
• medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
• steroid medicine (such as prednisone); or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)–aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

What is ofloxacin otic?

Ofloxacin is an antibiotic that treats infections caused by bacteria.

Ofloxacin otic (for the ear) is used to treat infections of the ear canal in adults and children who are at least 6 months old. Ofloxacin otic is used in adults and children at least 1 year old to treat an inner ear infection (also called otitis media).

Ofloxacin otic may be used on a long-term basis to treat an infection that causes a hole in the ear drum (ruptured ear drum) in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

Ofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Ofloxacin otic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching; slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting; difficult breathing, slow breathing (breathing may stop); swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

ofloxacin otic may cause serious side effects. Stop using ofloxacin otic and call your doctor at once if you have:

• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild; or
• ear drainage, discharge, or worsening pain.

Common side effects of ofloxacin otic may include:

• headache;
• dizziness; or
• mild ear pain or itching after using the ear drops.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use ofloxacin otic if you are allergic to ofloxacin or similar antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or norfloxacin (Noroxin).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ofloxacin otic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I use ofloxacin otic?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Shake the medicine well just before each use.

You may warm the medicine before use by holding the bottle in your hand for 1 or 2 minutes. Using cold ear drops can cause dizziness.

To use the ear drops:

• Lie down or tilt your head with your ear facing upward. Open the ear canal by gently pulling your ear back, or pulling downward on the earlobe when giving this medicine to a child.
• Hold the dropper upside down over your ear and drop the correct number of drops into the ear.
• Stay lying down or with your head tilted for at least 5 minutes. You may use a small piece of cotton to plug the ear and keep the medicine from draining out.
• If the patient being treated has ear tubes, the doctor may recommend gently pressing the tragus (part of the ear in front of the opening of the ear canal) four to five times in a pumping motion after administration of the drops. This may allow the drops to pass through the tubes into the middle ear. Follow the doctor’s instructions.

Do not touch the dropper tip or place it directly in your ear. It may become contaminated. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue but do not wash with water or soap.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have new symptoms.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused medicine after your treatment is finished.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of ofloxacin otic is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What should I avoid while taking ofloxacin otic?

This medicine is for use only in the ears. Avoid getting the medicine in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. Rinse with water if this medicine gets in or on these areas.

Do not use other ear medications unless your doctor tells you to.

What other drugs will affect ofloxacin otic?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on ofloxacin used in the ears. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.