Floxin Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Floxin Tablet contains the fluoroquinolone antibiotic ofloxacin and is used to treat bacterial infections such as bronchitis flare-ups, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, prostate infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease. It works by blocking enzymes bacteria need to copy their DNA, which stops bacterial growth and kills the bacteria. It is generally reserved for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic and is taken as directed by a doctor, with attention to tendon, nervous system, and sun-sensitivity precautions.

What is Floxin Tablet

Floxin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It fights bacteria in the body and is used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Floxin Tablet uses

• Bronchitis (chronic bronchitis flare-ups)
• Pneumonia
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Skin infections
• Urinary tract infections (bladder and kidney infections)
• Prostate infections (prostatitis)
• Pelvic inflammatory disease

Benefits of Floxin Tablet

• Helps in the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections
• May be used for urinary tract infections
• Used for certain bacterial skin infections
• May be used for bacterial infections of the prostate
• Used for certain respiratory infections on a doctor's advice

How Floxin Tablet works

Floxin works by blocking two enzymes bacteria need to copy and repair their DNA. This stops the bacteria from multiplying and kills them.

Floxin Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, at about the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine. Do not take antacids, sucralfate, didanosine, or vitamin/mineral supplements containing calcium, iron, or zinc within two hours before or after taking this medicine. Finish the full course of treatment even if you start feeling better; do not skip doses or stop early unless your doctor tells you to. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but do not take two doses at the same time or more than two doses in one day. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid sunlamps, tanning beds, and try to limit time in the sun; wear protective clothing and sunscreen if you must be outdoors. This medicine is not approved for use in people under 18 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Floxin Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Vaginal itching or discharge
• Skin itching
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Changes in sense of taste
• Restlessness

Serious

• Tendon rupture or swelling of a tendon (tendinitis)
• Worsening of myasthenia gravis symptoms, including muscle weakness and breathing problems
• Seizures
• Increased pressure inside the skull (severe headaches, ringing in ears, vision problems, pain behind the eyes)
• Hallucinations, confusion, paranoia, suicidal thoughts or acts
• Serious allergic reactions (hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of lips/tongue/face, throat tightness, rapid heartbeat, fainting)
• Yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine (signs of liver problems)
• Skin rash, including severe skin reactions
• Watery or bloody diarrhea (intestine infection/pseudomembranous colitis)
• Peripheral neuropathy (pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet)
• Serious heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation, torsades de pointes)
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Damage to the aorta (severe and constant pain in chest, stomach, or back)

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine is linked to a higher risk of tendon swelling and tendon rupture in people of all ages. This risk is even higher in people over 60, those taking steroid medicines, and those who have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. It may make muscle weakness worse in people with myasthenia gravis and should be avoided in anyone with a known history of this condition. Serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions can happen, even after just one dose.
• This medicine can affect the nervous system, causing seizures, confusion, hallucinations, nervousness, insomnia, or rarely suicidal thoughts, sometimes after just the first dose. It can make skin much more sensitive to sunlight, which can cause severe sunburn-type reactions. It can also cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) that may become permanent if not caught early. In rare cases, this medicine may cause damage to the aorta, the body's main blood vessel, which could lead to dangerous bleeding or death.
• Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children and teens under 18, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women.
• It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Ofloxacin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the baby.
• This medicine passes into breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide whether you will take this medicine or breastfeed.
• People with kidney problems may need a lower dose since this medicine is removed from the body mainly by the kidneys. People with severe liver problems, such as cirrhosis, may not clear this medicine as well and should not take more than 400 mg per day.
• This medicine can cause dizziness and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do activities that need alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at 59° to 86°F (15°C to 30°C)
• Keep the bottle closed tightly
• Keep out of the reach of children

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon, notice bruising near a tendon after an injury, or cannot move or bear weight on the affected area.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have worsening muscle weakness or breathing problems.
• Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help right away if you have hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips/tongue/face, throat tightness or hoarseness, a rapid heartbeat, or fainting.
• Stop taking this medicine and tell your healthcare provider right away if your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow, or if your urine becomes dark.
• Stop taking this medicine at the first sign of a skin rash and call your healthcare provider.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you get watery diarrhea, diarrhea that does not go away, or bloody stools, with or without stomach cramps and fever, even up to two months after finishing treatment.
• Talk with your healthcare provider right away if you notice pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet.
• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat, or if you faint.
• Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.
• If you have diabetes and get low blood sugar while taking this medicine, stop taking it right away and call your healthcare provider.

Alternatives

• Doxycycline
• Levofloxacin
• Ciprofloxacin