Floxin/Ofloxacin IS USED FOR:

Treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.

Floxin/Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. It kills sensitive bacteria by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive.

DO NOT USE Floxin/Ofloxacin IF:

• you are allergic to any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic (eg, Cipro/ciprofloxacin)
• you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, Motrin/ibuprofen) or typhoid oral vaccine
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Floxin/Ofloxacin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Floxin/Ofloxacin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; sensitivity to sunlight; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; anxiety; bizarre behavior; bloody stools; confusion; convulsions; dark urine; depression; diarrhea (severe or continuing); difficulty swallowing; excessive urination, thirst, or hunger; fatigue; fever; hallucinations; hoarseness; increased pressure within the head; joint or muscle pain or swelling; lightheadedness; loss of consciousness; nervousness; nightmares; pale stools; paranoia; rapid heartbeat; rash, skin burning, redness, swelling, blisters, itching, or skin inflammation; restlessness; seizures; shock (pale skin); sleeplessness; stomach pain/cramps; suicidal thoughts; tendon pain, inflammation, or swelling; tightness of the throat; tingling; tremors; urination problems; vaginal irritation or discharge; yellowing of skin or eyes.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Notify your dentist or doctor that you are taking Floxin/Ofloxacin before you have any dental work or surgery.
• Floxin/Ofloxacin may cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet (UV) light (eg, tanning beds). Use sunscreens and wear protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period of time.
• Floxin/Ofloxacin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age; safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• If you experience pain or inflammation, or rupture a tendon during or shortly after taking Floxin/ofloxacin, contact your health care provider immediately.
• Long-term or repeated use of Floxin/Ofloxacin may cause a second infection. You may need to start another medication to treat the second infection. Contact your doctor if signs of a second infection occur.
• LAB TESTS, such as kidney function tests, may be needed to monitor your condition. Be sure to keep all lab appointments.
• Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar regularly while taking Floxin/Ofloxacin with an antidiabetic medicine. Talk with your doctor at once if a reaction caused by low blood sugar occurs.
• It is important to use Floxin/Ofloxacin for the full course of treatment. Failure to do so may decrease the effectiveness of this treatment and may increase the risk that the bacteria will no longer be sensitive to Floxin/Ofloxacin and it will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibacterial medicines in the future.
• If severe diarrhea, stomach cramps/pain, or bloody stools occur, contact your doctor at once. This could be a sign of a serious side effect that needs immediate medical attention. Do not treat diarrhea without consulting your doctor.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Floxin/Ofloxacin during pregnancy. Floxin/Ofloxacin is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Floxin/Ofloxacin.
• Floxin/Ofloxacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity.

BEFORE USING Floxin/Ofloxacin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Floxin/Ofloxacin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have diabetes
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems, including irregular heartbeat; liver or kidney disease; or low potassium levels
• if your skin is sensitive to sunlight
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have tendonitis
• if you have Alzheimer disease, hardening in the arteries in the brain, seizures, increased pressure on the brain, or another central nervous system disorder
• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Floxin/Ofloxacin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, Coumadin/warfarin), procainamide, or Theolair tr/theophylline because the side effects of these medicines may be increased
• Aluminum salts (eg, aluminum hydroxide), iron salts (oral) (eg, ferrous sulfate), or magnesium salts (eg, magnesium hydroxide) because the effectiveness of Floxin/Ofloxacin is decreased. Take Floxin/ofloxacin 2 hours before or 2 hours after these medicines to offset this effect.
• Foscarnet, NSAIDs (eg, Motrin/ibuprofen), or Ultram/tramadol because the risk of seizures may be increased
• Live typhoid vaccine because the effectiveness of the vaccine may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Floxin/Ofloxacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Floxin/Ofloxacin :

Use Floxin/Ofloxacin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Floxin/Ofloxacin may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
• Do not drink milk or eat dairy products, or take antacids, sucralfate, or vitamins within 2 hours before or after taking Floxin/Ofloxacin.
• Drink a full glass of water with each dose. Drink several glasses of water daily, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
• Floxin/Ofloxacin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Floxin/Ofloxacin.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.