This page contains drug information on Floxin.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Floxin
the possible side effects of Floxin
what happens if you miss a dose of Floxin
what happens if you overdose with Floxin
the most important information about Floxin
how to use Floxin
other drugs that may affect Floxin
what to avoid while using Floxin
 
Generic Name: ofloxacin (oh FLOX a sin)
Brand Names: Floxin
 
What is the most important information I should know about floxin?
 •  Take all of the floxin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
 •  Take floxin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent floxin crystals from forming in the urine.
 •  Take floxin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
 •  Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of floxin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of floxin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.

What is floxin?
 •  floxin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. floxin fights bacteria in the body.
 •  floxin is used to treat various bacterial infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.
 •  floxin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking floxin?
 •  Before taking floxin, tell your doctor if you have
      · kidney disease or
      · seizures or epilepsy.
 •  You may not be able to take floxin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
 •  floxin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether floxin will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
 •  It is not known whether floxin passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
 •  floxin is not approved for use by children younger than 12 years of age. floxin may interfere with bone development.

How should I take floxin?
 •  Take floxin exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take floxin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent floxin crystals from forming in the urine.
 •  Take floxin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
 •  Take floxin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctors instructions.
 •  Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of floxin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of floxin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
 •  Take all of the floxin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
 •  Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Take the missed dose up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  Seek emergency medical attention.
 •  The most common symptom of an floxin overdose is seizures.

What should I avoid while taking floxin?
 •  Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight. floxin increases the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, and severe sunburning may result. If exposure to the sun is unavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Call your doctor if you experience severe burning, blistering, swelling, redness, or a rash after exposure to sunlight.
 •  Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. floxin may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of floxin?
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking floxin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives)
      · seizures
      · confusion or hallucinations
      · liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue) or
      · muscle or joint pain.
 •  If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking floxin and talk to your doctor:
      · nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
      · headache, lightheadedness, drowsiness
      · ringing in the ears or
      · increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect floxin?
 •  Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of floxin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of floxin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
 •  Before taking floxin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
      · theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin)
      · probenecid (Benemid)
      · warfarin (Coumadin)
      · cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)
      · cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
      · insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others or
      · a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others.
 •  You may not be able to take floxin, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with floxin. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.