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FLUOROQUINOLONES
MDAdvice.com Home > Health Library > Drugs >

Brand & Generic Names

Cipro Maxaquin
IPROFLOXACIN NORFLOXACIN
ENOXACIN Noroxin
Floxin OFLOXACIN
LOMEFLOXACIN Penetrex


Basic Information

  • Habit forming? No
  • Prescription needed? Yes
  • Available as generic? No
  • Drug class: Antibacterial (antibiotic), fluoroquinolone

Uses

    Treats a wide range of germs that may cause diarrhea, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, bone infections.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablets--Take with full glass of water on empty stomach (ciprofloxacin of lomefloxacin may be taken with meals).

When to take:
As directed by your doctor.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Destroys bacteria in the body, probably by promoting DNA breakage in germs.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.

Don't take with:
Antacids.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.


Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Convulsions.

WHAT TO DO:

  • Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
  • If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
  • See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

    Hives, rash, intense Seek emergency treatment immediately. itching, faintness soon after a dose (anaphylaxis).

Common:

    None expected.

Infrequent:

    Dizziness, light- headedness, headache, nervousness, drowsiness or insomnia, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

Rare:

    Agitation, confusion, hallucinations, tremors, skin rash or redness, shortness of breath, neck or face swelling, bloody or cloudy urine, swelling of feet or legs.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to fluoroquinolones or quinolone derivatives.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

  • If you have any disorder of the central nervous system such as epilepsy or stroke.
  • If you have liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses for shorter periods of time.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
No documented problems.

Skin & sunlight:
Rare adverse reaction to sunlight or sun lamp. Avoid over-exposure.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take other medicines affecting alertness and reflexes such as anti- histamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
May affect accuracy of laboratory test values for SGOT*, serum bilirubin, serum creatinine and LDH*.


Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------- -----------------------
Aminophylline Increased risk of aminophylline
toxicity.
Antacids* Decreased fluoroquinolone effect.
Caffeine Increased risk of central nervous
system side effects.
Carbonic anyhdrase May cause kidney dysfunction.
Didanosine Decreased fluoroquinolone effect.
Oxtriphylline Increased risk of oxtriphylline
toxicity.
Probenecid May cause kidney dysfunction.
Sucralfate Decreased fluoroquinolone effect.
Theophylline May increase possibility of central
nervous system poisoning, such as
nausea, vomiting, restlessness,
palpitations.
Warfarin Increased warfarin effect.


Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH COMBINED EFFECT
--------------- ---------------
Alcohol: Increased possibility of central
nervous system side effects.
Beverages: None expected.
Cocaine: Increased possibility of central
nervous system side effects.
Foods: None expected.
Marijuana: Increased possibility of central
nervous system side effects.
Tobacco: Increased possibility of central
nervous system side effects.




Send This Article to a Friend Return to Health Library Main Page
From Complete Guide to Prescription & Non-Prescription Drugs by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by The Putnam Berkley Group, Inc. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.

 

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