Health Library

Ofloxacin (Injection)

Ofloxacin (oh-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by bacteria. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Ofloxacin injection is no longer available in the United States.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.
• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

If a dose is missed:

• You must use this medicine on a fixed schedule. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you miss a dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze. Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine, containers, and other supplies. Throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, Medrol®, Decadron®). Using a steroid together with this medicine may increase your chance of having tendon problems.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using blood thinners (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), theophylline, diabetes medicine taken by mouth (such as glyburide, Amaryl®, Actos™, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, Glucophage®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, etodolac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Daypro®, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Motrin®, Oruvail®, Relafen®, Voltaren®). There are many other drugs that may interact with ofloxacin. Make sure your doctor knows about all other medicines you are using.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have a history of kidney problems, liver disease, heart disease, heart rhythm problems, hypokalemia (low blood potassium), stroke, or seizures.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Your tendons may be more easily injured while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist. You may also need to avoid exercise or certain physical activities. Children and elderly patients are more likely to have tendon problems. This risk of tendon problems may also increase if you have rheumatoid arthritis or if you have received an organ (such as heart, kidney, or lung) transplant.
• If you are also using insulin or other medicine for diabetes, you may need to monitor your blood sugar more often while using ofloxacin.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain, or a heartbeat that is fast, pounding, or uneven.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, pain, burning or loss of feeling anywhere in your body.
• Pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist.
• Redness, pain, or swelling at the site where the medicine is given.
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
• Seizures.
• Severe diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, or fever.
• Skin rash, redness, blistering, or peeling.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, nervousness, anxiety, confusion, or agitation.
• Headache or tiredness.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/4/2017