Floxin

Generic Name: ofloxacin (oh FLOX a sin)
Brand Names: Floxin

What is Floxin?
Floxin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. This group of antibiotics is used to fight bacteria in the body.

Floxin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.

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

Important information about Floxin
You should not use Floxin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Floxin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, joint problems, myasthenia gravis, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take Floxin. These other medicines can make Floxin much less effective when taken at the same time. Floxin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Floxin with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Before taking Floxin
You should not use Floxin if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Floxin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take Floxin, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
myasthenia gravis;

joint problems;

kidney or liver disease;
epilepsy or a history of seizures;

diabetes;

low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or

a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether Floxin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use Floxin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Floxin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Floxin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Floxin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Floxin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.