Uses of Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin is used to treat and prevent various bacterial infections.

Therapeutic Category

Ofloxacin: Antibiotics

How Ofloxacin works

Ofloxacin works by binding to and inhibiting bacterial enzymes required in DNA synthesis, thus interrupting DNA replication and preventing bacterial cell multiplication.

Common side effects of Ofloxacin

• Sleep problems
• Headache, dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
• Itching
• External genital itching (women)
• Vaginal inflammation
• Taste changes
• Upset stomach
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Light headedness or trouble sleeping
• Pain, redness or swelling at the area of administration

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor, if you experience:

• Treatment resistance (no response to treatment)
• Severe Allergic reaction
• Watery diarrhoea, probably with blood in it, with stomach cramps and fever
• Swollen tendons with pain, tenderness and sometimes restricted movement like in the Achilles tendon
• Nerve damage (pain, burning, numbness, tingling or weakness in the hands and feet, touch sensitivity)
• Blurred, double or changed colour vision
• Anaemia (tiredness, dizziness, breathless when exercising, pale skin)
• Drop in numbers of different types of blood cells (fever, chills, sore throat, ulcers in the mouth and throat)
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (a widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling on most of the body surface)
• Narrowing, blockage or leakage of blood vessels, sometimes leading to severe skin reactions and death of skin areas
• Severe kidney problems (rash, fever, general aches and pains, bloody urine)
• Hearing problems or loss
• Liver problems like hepatitis or blockage in the bile duct (yellow eyes or skin, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching, pale faeces, dark urine, tender stomach)
• Prolongation of QT interval (abnormal, fast, irregular or abnormal heart rhythm)
• Depression with thoughts of harming or killing self
• Swelling of the lungs (coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing)
• Rhabdomyolysis (temporary paralysis or weakness of the muscles, with pain and tenderness
• Porphyria attack in patients with porphyria (a rare blood pigment disorder)
• Muscle or ligament breakdown
• Inflamed pancreas (severe pain in the stomach and back)
• Loss of consciousness due to a severe drop in blood sugar levels
• Uveitis (inflammation of the eye)
• Exfoliative dermatitis (skin redness with too much scaling)
• Aortic aneurysm and dissection (sudden, severe pain in your stomach, chest or back)
• Fits

Health Tips for Ofloxacin

• Take Ofloxacin at the same time each day exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or stop taking the medication early, even if you start feeling better, unless instructed by your doctor
• Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent potential side effects, such as dry mouth and increased thirst
• Avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking Ofloxacin, as it may increase the risk of certain side effects
• Ofloxacin may cause dizziness or lightheadedness, Be cautious with driving and operating machinery
• Inform your healthcare provider about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking, as Ofloxacin can interact with certain drugs
• Ofloxacin is not recommended for use in pregnant or breast feeding women