Ofloxacin: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Ofloxacin

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ofloxacin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take ofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
• myasthenia gravis;
• joint problems;
• kidney or liver disease;
• epilepsy or a history of seizures;
• diabetes;
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
• a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether ofloxacin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ofloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Ofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Ofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking ofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Last updated:	September 15, 2008