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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat otitis (ear inflammation) 2. To treat conjunctivitis (inflammation or infection in the white part of the eye) 3. To treat keratitis (inflammation in eye) 4. To treat bronchitis (inflammation in air tube) 5. To treat urinary tract infection |
| Common Side Effects | 1. Sleep problems 2. Headache 3. Dizziness 4. Nausea or vomiting 5. Diarrhoea 6. Itching or rash 7. Vaginal inflammation (vaginitis) 8. Change in how things taste |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Ofloxacin Summary
Ofloxacin 200 mg is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in the ears, eyes, lungs, and urinary tract. It works by stopping bacteria from multiplying and spreading. Take it exactly as your doctor prescribes, at the same time each day, and don’t stop early, even if you feel better. Common side effects include nausea, headache, dizziness, and diarrhea. Serious side effects are rare but can include seizures, vision changes, or unusual bleeding; see a doctor if these occur. If you’re pregnant or have kidney problems, let your doctor know before taking ofloxacin. Avoid alcohol and certain other medications while on it, as they may interfere with how the drug works. If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one. In case of overdose, symptoms like drowsiness, slurred speech, or swelling may occur, get medical help immediately.
Ofloxacin Uses
Ofloxacin 200 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of fluroquinolone medicines. It is used for following indications:
- Bacterial infection in ear (Otitis)
- Bacterial infection in the white portion of the eye (Conjunctivitis)
- Ulcer or opening in the eye (corneal ulcer/ keratitis)
- Bacterial infection in lungs (Bronchitis)
- Urinary tract infection
Direction of use
- Take ofloxacin exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking ofloxacin without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember. Unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
Ofloxacin side effects
More Common
- Sleep problems
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itching or rash
- Vaginal inflammation (vaginitis)
- Change in how things taste
Less Common
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Anxiety
- Black, tarry stools
- Bleeding gums
- Blood in the urine or stools
- Blurred vision
- Body aches or pain
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cloudy urine
- Cold sweats
- Coma
- Confusion
- Congestion
- Cool, pale skin
- Cough
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Dryness or soreness of the throat
- Eye pain
- Fast heartbeat
- Fever
- Flushed, dry skin
- Fruit-like breath odor
- General feeling of illness
- Headache
- Hoarseness
- Increased hunger
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Lower back or side pain
- Nausea
- Nightmares
- Painful or difficult urination
- Pale skin
- Pinpoint red spots on the skin
- Pus in the urine
- Runny nose
- Seizures
- Shakiness
- Slurred speech
- Sore throat
- Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- Sweating
- Swollen glands
- Tender, swollen glands in the neck
- Trouble with swallowing
- Troubled breathing with exertion
- Unexplained weight loss
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Voice changes
- Vomiting
How Ofloxacin works
Ofloxacin is a bacteria-killing medicine. It works by inhibiting the function of two enzymes in bacteria: topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV. One enzyme helps twist the bacterial DNA into coils, and the other joins the two DNA strands together. By inhibiting these enzymes, bacteria cannot replicate further and will die.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 Pregnancy
This medicine should not be taken during pregnancy, as it can cross the placenta and may cause fetal abnormalities. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor about your condition.
📌 Kidney Dysfunction
If you have kidney disease, inform your doctor, as this medicine is excreted through the kidneys. In people with existing kidney problems, it may be harder for the kidneys to process the drug effectively.
Ofloxacin Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking ofloxacin 200 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Ofloxacin Interaction with Food Product
You should avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine as it may increase or decrease the effect of ofloxacin.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Ofloxacin Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(RS)-7-fluoro-2-methyl-6-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-10-oxo-4-oxa-1-azatricyclo[7.3.1.05,13]trideca-5(13),6,8,11-tetraene-11-carboxylic acid
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily Dose
Take ofloxacin exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
Although research is still ongoing to determine the exact overdose amount of ofloxacin, you should never take more than what your doctor has prescribed. Symptoms of overdose may include drowsiness, nausea, hot and cold flashes, swelling, and slurred speech. If someone taking this medicine shows these symptoms, take them to the hospital immediately.
FAQ’s
1. What is ofloxacin used for?
➡️ Ofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections causing otitis (inflammation in ear), conjunctivitis (inflammation in the white part of the eye), Keratitis (inflammation in cornea), bronchitis (inflammation in air tube) and urinary tract infection.
2. Ofloxacin belongs to which class of drug?
➡️ Ofloxacin belongs to the fluroquinolone class of antibiotics. These antibiotics kill bacteria by stopping them from copying and repairing their DNA. They work against many types of bacteria that cause infections.
3. Can I use ofloxacin for diarrhea?
➡️ Ofloxacin is used to treat certain kind of bacterial diarrhea caused by bacteria Shigella, Salmonella, E.coli and Campylobacter.
Reference
- WebMD. Ofloxacin Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing [Internet]. WebMD; [cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from.
- Kohler RB, Arkins N, Tack KJ. 1991. Accidental overdose of intravenous ofloxacin with benign outcome. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 35: Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Ofloxacin (oral route) [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Clinic; [updated last week; cited 2025 Jun 11]. Available from.
- Graham DB, Tripp J. Ofloxacin. [Updated 2023 Jun 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from.
