Ofloxacin

About Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin kills bacteria by blocking DNA gyrase, an enzyme they need to copy their DNA. The eye drops treat bacterial conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. The ear drops treat outer ear infections from 6 months of age, chronic middle ear infections with a perforated eardrum from age 12, and middle ear infections in children 1 year and older who have ear tubes. The tablets treat adults with infections such as community-acquired pneumonia, chronic bronchitis flare-ups, skin infections, chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory disease, urinary tract infections and prostatitis.

The tablets carry a boxed warning: fluoroquinolones can cause disabling and possibly permanent tendon damage, nerve damage and brain effects such as seizures and psychiatric reactions, and can worsen myasthenia gravis. The label reserves them for uncomplicated bladder infections and bronchitis flare-ups only when there is no other option. Tendon risk is higher over 60, with steroid medicines and after a kidney, heart or lung transplant. Other warnings cover aortic aneurysm, blood sugar swings, heart rhythm changes, sun sensitivity and C. difficile diarrhea; safety under 18 is not established.

Nausea, diarrhea and taste changes are common with the tablets. The drops carry no boxed warning but can sting the eye, or cause ear itching and dizziness. The ear drop label says it is not for the eyes.

Taking Ofloxacin

How to take it

Tablets: usually every 12 hours, with or without food, with plenty of fluids. Eye drops for conjunctivitis: every 2 to 4 hours for 2 days, then four times a day; do not wear contact lenses while the eye shows signs of infection. Ear drops: warm the bottle in your hand for 1 or 2 minutes, lie ear up, add the drops and stay put for 5 minutes; for a middle ear infection, press the flap in front of the ear inward 4 times.

If you miss a dose

Take or use it when you remember, unless the next dose is almost due; then skip it and carry on as usual. Never take a double dose to make up.

Storage

At room temperature, tightly closed, protected from light and out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

Take antacids, sucralfate, multivitamins and supplements with iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium or aluminum at least 2 hours before or after a tablet. Ofloxacin can strengthen warfarin and raise theophylline levels, anti-inflammatory painkillers add to seizure risk, and diabetes medicines can lead to blood sugar swings. It is avoided with quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Ofloxacin differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

The eye and ear drops have many generic makers, so quotes differ mainly by mark-up and bottle size, though a prescription for brand Ocuflox marked dispense as written commits the pharmacy to it. The two kinds of drops cannot be swapped. Only one maker currently lists the tablets with the FDA, so there is little price competition, and a pharmacy may need to order them.

Ways to pay less for Ofloxacin without insurance

• For the drops, ask for the generic rather than Ocuflox unless your prescriber wants the brand.
• If tablets are hard to find or quoted high, ask the prescriber whether another antibiotic would suit your infection.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Ofloxacin

1. 1.Are these the eye drops or the ear drops, and how many drops per dose?
2. 2.Which supplements and antacids must be spaced from the tablets?
3. 3.What tendon or nerve symptoms mean I should stop taking it?
4. 4.Is it safe with my diabetes medicine, blood thinner or heart rhythm medicine?

Related medications