DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Many common infections in
humans are
caused by single cell living organisms called bacteria.
Bacteria invade
the body, and then grow, multiply, and spread. Medicines that
control and
eradicate these bacteria are called antibiotics. Ofloxacin is an
antibiotic that stops bacteria multiplication by inhibiting the
reproduction and repair of their genetic material (DNA).
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 200mg, 300mg, 400mg.
STORAGE: Ofloxacin should be stored in a tight
container and
below 86F.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Ofloxacin is used to treat pneumonia and
bronchitis caused by
Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus
pneumoniae.
It is also used in treating skin infections caused by
staphylococcus
aureus, and streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. Ofloxacin is used
to treat
sexually transmitted diseases, such as
gonorrhea and
chlamydia,
but is not
effective against syphilis. Ofloxacin is often used to treat
urinary
infections and prostate infections caused by
E. Coli. Some
strains of
streptococcus, enterococcus, and anaerobic bacteria are
resistant to
ofloxacin.
DOSING: Ofloxacin should not be taken with food.
Ofloxacin is
partially metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidney.
Dosages
require adjustment in patients with severely abnormal liver or
kidney
function. Antacids, minerals, and vitamins with iron block the
absorption
of ofloxacin and they should not be taken together.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Ofloxacin administered together with
theophylline can lead to elevated blood levels of theophylline.
Theophylline is used to open airways in the treatment of
asthma. If concurrent use of ofloxacin and theophylline cannot
be avoided,
frequent blood tests to monitor theophylline blood levels
should be
performed. Ofloxacin should be used with caution in patients
with central
nervous system diseases such as
seizures, because rare seizures
have been
reported in patients receiving this medication. Ofloxacin
should be
avoided in children and adolescents under 18 years old, as
safe use in
these patients have not been established.
Many antibiotics, including ofloxacin, can alter the normal
bacteria in
the colon and encourage overgrowth of a bacteria responsible
for the
development of inflammation of the colon (pseudomembranous
colitis).
Pseudomembranous colitis can cause fever, abdominal pain,
diarrhea, and
sometimes even shock. Patients taking ofloxacin can develop
sensitivity of
the skin to direct sunlight. Ofloxacin can enhance the action
of the
anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin), and increase the risk of
bleeding. Both
high and low blood sugars have been reported in patients with
diabetes
taking ofloxacin together with insulin or other medications
used to lower
the blood sugar. Careful monitoring of blood sugars is,
therefore,
recommended when these drugs are concurrently used.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, and/or urethra. Not
everyone with a UTI has symptoms. Common symptoms include a frequent urge to
urinate and a painful, burning when urinating.
Pneumonia is inflammation of one or both lungs with consolidation. Pneumonia is frequently but not always due to infection. The infection may be bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough with sputum production, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Prostatitis is a painful condition of the prostate gland. There are four types of prostatitis, acute bacterial, chronic bacterial, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Diagnosis is made with a digital rectal exam, urinalysis, ultrasound, MRI, biopsy, or blood test. Treatment depends upon the type of prostatitis.
Chlamydia, a type of bacteria that causes an infection, is spread through sexual contact. Most of the time, women with chlamydia have no symptoms. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for chlamydia.
Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a disfiguring disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. The disease is spread from person to person through nasal secretions or droplets. Symptoms and signs of leprosy include numbness, loss of temperature sensation, painless ulcers, eye damage, loss of digits, and facial disfigurement. Leprosy is treated with antibiotics and the dosage and length of time of administration depends upon which form of leprosy the patient has.
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection transmitted during sexual contact. In women, symptoms include a yellow vaginal discharge, burning or frequent urination, and redness, swelling, burning and itching of the vaginal area. Gonorrhea can be treated with injectable (penicillin) or oral medications.
The urinary tract is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra
(see Figure 1). A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by
pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in any of the
structures that comprise the urinary tract. However, this is the broad
definition of urinary tract infections; many authors prefer to use more specific
terms that localize the urinary tract infection to the major structural segment
involved such as urethritis (urethral infection),
cystitis (bladder infection),
ureter infection, and pyelonephritis (kidney infection). Other structures that
eventually connect to or share close anatomic proximity to the urinary tract
(for example, prostate, epididymis, and vagina) are sometimes included in the
discussion of UTIs because they may either cause or be caused by UTIs.
Technically, they are not UTIs and will be only briefly mentioned in this ...
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