Floxin/Ofloxacin IS USED FOR:

Treating mild to moderate infections caused by certain bacteria.

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

BEFORE USING Floxin/Ofloxacin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Ofloxacin/Floxin . 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 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
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if your skin is sensitive to sunlight
• if you have heart problems, including irregular heartbeat; liver or kidney disease; or low potassium levels
• if you have tendonitis
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

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

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

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Ofloxacin/Floxin 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 Ofloxacin/Floxin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Ofloxacin/Floxin 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 Ofloxacin/Floxin .
• 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.
• Ofloxacin/Floxin works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• Drink a full glass of water with each dose. Drink several glasses of water daily, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.

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

DO NOT USE Floxin/Ofloxacin IF:

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

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:

• It is important to use Ofloxacin/Floxin 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 Ofloxacin/Floxin and it will not be able to be treated by this or certain other antibacterial medicines in the future.
• Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar regularly while taking Ofloxacin/Floxin with an antidiabetic medicine. Talk with your doctor at once if a reaction caused by low blood sugar occurs.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Ofloxacin/Floxin during pregnancy. Ofloxacin/Floxin is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Ofloxacin/Floxin .
• Ofloxacin/Floxin 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.
• 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.
• Notify your dentist or doctor that you are taking Ofloxacin/Floxin before you have any dental work or surgery.
• If you experience pain or inflammation, or rupture a tendon during or shortly after taking ofloxacin/Floxin , contact your health care provider immediately.
• Long-term or repeated use of Ofloxacin/Floxin 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.
• Ofloxacin/Floxin is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years of age; safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.
• Ofloxacin/Floxin may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness. Use caution when driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity.

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.