Before taking ofloxacin

Before taking ofloxacin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have ever experienced tendon problems after taking any other quinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid or norfloxacin.
• If you have kidney or liver problems.
• If you have epilepsy or any other condition that causes fitting.
• If you have ever had mental health problems.
• If you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease).
• If you know you have glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take ofloxacin

• Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take ofloxacin exactly as your doctor has told you. It is usually taken once or twice a day depending on the infection being treated. Read the label carefully to make sure you know which dose is right for you.
• If you have been told to take ofloxacin twice a day, space your doses out evenly throughout the day.
• It is not important whether you take ofloxacin before or after food.
• Keep taking this antibiotic until the course is finished unless you are told to stop. This is important in order to prevent the infection from coming back.
• Do not take indigestion remedies, or medicines containing iron or zinc, in the 2 hours before or after you take ofloxacin. This is because they interfere with the way ofloxacin is absorbed by your body and stop it from working fully.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as before. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with this antibiotic. Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen while you are being treated with ofloxacin.
• Ofloxacin may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. Protect your skin particularly if you are exposed to strong sunlight for long periods during the day. Do not use sunbeds.
• Ofloxacin may impair your ability to concentrate. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not sufficiently alert.
• If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood glucose levels more regularly as ofloxacin may affect the levels of sugar in your blood.
• If you still feel unwell after completing your course of this antibiotic, make another appointment to see your doctor.
• Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can ofloxacin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or face, or any problems with your breathing.
• A severe rash.
• Pain or inflammation in your joints (particularly in your hips, knees or ankles).

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How to store ofloxacin

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Tarivid® 200mg & 400mg Tablets, sanofi-aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2011
• British National Formulary; 61st Edition (March 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)