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Uses

What is ofloxacin used for?

Ofloxacin is an antibiotic that is commonly used for the following infections caused by certain bacteria.

Ofloxacin may not be appropriate for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to ofloxacin, which will make it not work as well.

Ofloxacin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

Other forms of ofloxacin are available for use in the eyes. See Ofloxacin ophthalmic for more information.

Other forms of ofloxacin are available for use in the ears. See Ofloxacin otic for more information.

How does ofloxacin work (mechanism of action)?

Ofloxacin kills certain types of bacteria by disrupting their ability to create and repair their DNA.

How is ofloxacin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Floxin

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 200 mg oral tablets
  • 300 mg oral tablets
  • 400 mg oral tablets

How should I store ofloxacin?

Ofloxacin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Protect the medicine from light. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of ofloxacin?

The most common side effects of ofloxacin are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Sleep problems
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Itching or rash
  • Vaginal inflammation (vaginitis)
  • Change in how things taste

There may be other side effects of ofloxacin that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of ofloxacin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of ofloxacin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Tendon Problems. Tendons are the connectors between your bones and muscles. Problems with tendons can happen in people who are taking ofloxacin or who have taken it in the past several months. This can possibly lead to tendon swelling, also called tendonitis, or tearing of the tendon. It is most common with the tendon on the back of your ankle, called the Achilles tendon, but can also happen with other tendons. Stop taking ofloxacin and get medical help right away if you develop any tendon pain or swelling.

Nerve Problems. Nerves are the fibers that carry sensations from your body to the brain. Damage to these nerves, called peripheral neuropathy, can happen in people who are taking ofloxacin. Stop taking ofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.

Mental Effects. Stop taking ofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you develop any signs of mental effects while taking ofloxacin, such as the following.

  • Hearing, seeing, or sensing things that are not there (hallucinations)
  • Feeling unusually suspicious (paranoia)
  • Having false or strange thoughts or beliefs (delusions)
  • Feeling restless, agitated, anxious, or nervous
  • Having memory trouble, feeling confused, or feeling less aware of your surroundings
  • Feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts or actions
  • Having trouble sleeping or nightmares

Seizures. Some people who have taken ofloxacin have reported having seizures. There are many different types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking ofloxacin and call your healthcare provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Joint Problems. Children under 18 years old can develop problems with their joints during and after treatment with ofloxacin. Tell your child’s healthcare provider if your child develops any joint problems.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Ofloxacin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking ofloxacin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking ofloxacin. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including ofloxacin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had swelling or a tear in the large artery that carries blood from the heart, called the aorta. Get emergency help if you have sudden symptoms related to this condition, such as chest pain, stomach pain, or back pain.

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia). Ofloxacin may increase your blood sugar levels. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to maintain healthy blood sugar levels while you are taking this medicine.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Ofloxacin can cause low blood sugar, which can be serious and may lead to death. If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood sugar more often if you have changes to your diet, exercise regimen, or medicines for diabetes. Do not take ofloxacin and call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of hypoglycemia.

  • Headache
  • Crankiness or anxiety
  • Hunger
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Sweating
  • Feeling jittery or shakiness
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Seizures

Sensitivity to Sunlight. Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking certain drugs, including ofloxacin. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. Exposing your skin to this kind of light, even for a short time, can cause your skin to be severely sunburned, blistered, or swollen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if any of these happen.

Heart Rhythm Changes. Ofloxacin may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium levels, or who take medicines that can prolong the QT interval. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use ofloxacin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take ofloxacin.

  • Ofloxacin
  • Floxin
  • Any other medicine known as a fluoroquinolone antibiotic or quinolone antibiotic
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific ofloxacin products they stock.

Myasthenia Gravis. Myasthenia gravis is a condition that can cause muscle weakness. Ofloxacin can make this condition worse. It should not be used in people who have a history of this condition.

What should I know about ofloxacin before using it?

Do not take ofloxacin unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share ofloxacin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep ofloxacin out of the reach of children.

Ofloxacin can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how ofloxacin affects you.

Ofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to light from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. This is called photosensitivity. Exposure to this light can cause severe sunburns, blisters, and swelling. If you need to be in sunlight, wear sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that covers your skin.

You should stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids while taking ofloxacin. 

Ofloxacin may affect the results of a urine test for opioids. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking ofloxacin before you get a urine screening. 

People who are under 18 or over 60 years old can be at greater risk for some side effects from ofloxacin. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in one of these age groups.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ofloxacin?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if ofloxacin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Heart Problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has a history of a heart attack or an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), especially a condition called QT prolongation or long QT syndrome.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Ofloxacin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking ofloxacin, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how ofloxacin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Ofloxacin passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop ofloxacin.

Interactions

Does ofloxacin interact with foods or drinks?

Ofloxacin can be taken with or without food. However, you should avoid taking ofloxacin within two hours before or after taking antacids, multivitamins, or supplements that contain calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, or iron. Foods and drinks that are high in calcium may decrease the amount of ofloxacin that your body absorbs.

There are no known interactions between ofloxacin and alcohol, but heavy drinking can slow your immune response and make it harder for your body to fight infection.

Does ofloxacin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking ofloxacin.

  • Products that contain calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, or iron, which are often found in multivitamins, supplements, or antacids used for heartburn
  • Sucralfate (Carafate), which is a medicine used to treat certain ulcers
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet HB), which is a medicine used to treat heartburn
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), which is a medicine that suppresses your immune system
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • Theophylline (Elixophyllin and Theo-24), which is a medicine for certain breathing conditions
  • A blood thinner, such as warfarin
  • A medicine for diabetes
  • A corticosteroid, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • An antiarrhythmic, which is a medicine to control your heart rate or rhythm
  • An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with ofloxacin. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much ofloxacin?

If you or someone else has used too much ofloxacin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of ofloxacin?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of ofloxacin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to ofloxacin or other similar medicines.