Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.  (DOWNLOAD)

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again before, during or after use of this medicine. 
• If you have any further questions, ask your health care provider. 
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm  them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. 
• If any of the side effects become serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this  leaflet, please inform your health care provider. 

In this leaflet: 

1. What Ofloxacin Tablet is and what it is used for 
2. What you need to know before you use Ofloxacin Tablet 
3. How to use Ofloxacin Tablet 
4. Possible side effects 
5. How to store Ofloxacin Tablet 
6. Contents of the pack and other information 

 

1. WHAT OFLOXACIN TABLET IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR 

Ofloxacin belongs to a group of medicines called quinolone antibiotics. Ofloxacin is an  antibiotic that can be used to treat a variety of different infections. These include  infections of:  

• The chest (respiratory system) such as pneumonia and bronchitis.  • The bladder and kidneys (urinary tract).  
• The male and female genital organs when the infections involve the cervix (neck of  the womb in women) and the lower genital organs in men. Ofloxacin can be used to  treat both gonorrhoea and some other genital infections of both the male and female  genital organs. 

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU USE OFLOXACIN TABLET  Do not take Ofloxacin:  

• If you are allergic to ofloxacin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Signs of  an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your  lips, face, throat or tongue.  
• If you have previously had an allergic reaction to another quinolone antibiotic e.g.  ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin.  
• If you suffer from epilepsy or are at risk of fits  
• If you have a history of inflammation and swelling of the tendons (tendonitis) which can  affect areas such as the wrist or the achilles tendon after treatment with a quinolone  antibiotic e.g. ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or nadifloxacin.  
• If you suffer from or there is a family history of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase  deficiency (an inherited disorder that affects the red blood cells)  
• If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby.  • If you are breastfeeding. 
• If you are under the age of 18 years, or are still growing 

Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to  your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ofloxacin. 

Warnings and precautions 

Before taking this medicine  

You should not take fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including  Ofloxacin, if you have experienced any serious adverse reaction in the past when taking  a quinolone or fluoroquinolone. In this situation, you should inform your doctor as soon  as possible. 

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ofloxacin if any of the following apply:  • If you have been diagnosed with an enlargement or “bulge” of a large blood vessel  (aortic aneurysm or large vessel peripheral aneurysm)  

• If you have experienced a previous episode of aortic dissection (a tear in the aorta wall)  • If you have been diagnosed with leaking heart valves (heart valve regurgitation)  • If you have a family history of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection or congenital heart  

valve disease, or other risk factors or predisposing conditions (e.g. Connective tissue  disorders such as marfan syndrome or ehlers- danlos syndrome, turner syndrome,  sjögren’s syndrome (an inflammatory autoimmune disease) or vascular disorders such  as takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, behcet’s disease, high blood pressure, or known  atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis (a disease of the joints) or endocarditis (an  infection of the heart)).  

• You have or have ever had a history of mental illness.  
• You have problems with your liver or kidneys.  
• You have heart disease or problems with your heartbeat.  
• You were born with or have family history of prolonged QT interval (seen on ECG,  electrical recording of the heart).  
• Have salt imbalance in the blood (especially low level of potassium or magnesium in the  blood).  
• Have a very slow heart rhythm (called ‘bradycardia’).  
• Have a weak heart (heart failure).  
• Have a history of heart attack (myocardial infarction).  
• You are female or elderly.  
• You are taking other medicines that result in abnormal ECG changes (see section other  medicines and ofloxacin). 
• You have an illness of the nervous system called ‘myasthenia gravis’ (muscle  weakness).  
• If you are diabetic or suffer from low blood sugar.

During treatment  

When taking this medicine  

If your eyesight becomes impaired or if your eyes seem to be otherwise affected,  consult an eye specialist immediately.  

If you:  

• experience a severe skin rash or allergic reaction, or  
• develop severe diarrhoea, (which may be bloody) with stomach pain and fever, or  • notice pain, tenderness, or restricted movement of the tendons, or  • notice numbness or tingling in the hands and feet  
• experience suicidal thoughts or self-endangering behaviour  
• change in blood glucose levels  

stop taking this medicine and talk to your doctor straight away. 

If you feel sudden, severe pain in your abdomen, chest or back, which can be  symptoms of aortic aneurysm and dissection, go immediately to an emergency room.  Your risk may be increased if you are being treated with systemic corticosteroids.  

If you start experiencing a rapid onset of shortness of breath, especially when you lie  down flat in your bed, or you notice swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen, or a new  onset of heart palpitations (sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat), you should inform  a doctor immediately.  

Pain and swelling in the joints and inflammation or rupture of tendons may occur rarely.  Your risk is increased if you are elderly (above 60 years of age), have received an  organ transplant, have kidney problems or if you are being treated with corticosteroids.  Inflammation and ruptures of tendons may occur within the first 48 hours of treatment  and even up to several months after stopping of Ofloxacin therapy. At the first sign of  pain or inflammation of a tendon (for example in your ankle, wrist, elbow, shoulder or  knee), stop taking Ofloxacin, contact your doctor and rest the painful area. Avoid any  unnecessary exercise as this might increase the risk of a tendon rupture.  

You may rarely experience symptoms of nerve damage (neuropathy) such as pain,  burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness especially in the feet and legs or hands  and arms. If this happens, stop taking Ofloxacin and inform your doctor immediately in  order to prevent the development of potentially irreversible condition. 

Prolonged, disabling and potentially irreversible serious side effects. 

Fluoroquinolone/quinolone antibacterial medicines, including Ofloxacin, have been  associated with very rare but serious side effects, some of them being long lasting  (continuing months or years), disabling or potentially irreversible. This includes tendon, muscle and joint pain of the upper and lower limbs, difficulty in walking, abnormal  sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, tickling, numbness or burning (paraesthesia), sensory disorders including impairment of vision, taste and smell, and  hearing, depression, memory impairment, severe fatigue, and severe sleep disorders. If  you experience any of these side effects after taking Ofloxacin, contact your doctor  immediately prior to continuing treatment. You and your doctor will decide on continuing  the treatment considering also an antibiotic from another class.  

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist  before taking Ofloxacin. 

Other medicines and Ofloxacin  

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any  other medicines.  

You must tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines that can alter your heart  rhythm:  

• medicines that belong to the group of anti-arrhythmics (e.g. quinidine,  hydroquinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide),  • Tricyclic antidepressants, (e.g. Clomipramine, amitriptyline),  
• Some antimicrobials (that belong to the group of macrolides e.g. Erythromycin,  clarithromycin, azithromycin),  
• Some antipsychotics used to treat mental health conditions such as schizophrenia  and bipolar disorder. 

Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: • Medicines or dietary supplements that contain iron (for anaemia) or zinc. • Sucralfate used for stomach ulcers. 

• Antacids used for indigestion that contain magnesium or aluminium.  • Corticosteroids, used for treatment of inflammation and swelling or over-active  immune system. These may increase the risk of you developing a tendon rupture.  • Painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) e.g. Ibuprofen or  diclofenac, or theophylline, used to treat asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary  disease as these could make you more prone to fits if taken with ofloxacin.  • Glibenclamide, a medicine to control your blood sugar, as the amount of these  medicines in the blood may increase and have a greater effect.  
• Drugs that may affect your kidney function e.g. Cimetidine (used for stomach ulcers  or indigestion), probenecid (used for gout) and methotrexate (used for rheumatism)  as they can increase the level of ofloxacin in the blood.  
• Medicines to thin your blood, e.g. Warfarin. Taking these with ofloxacin can increase  the time it takes for your blood to clot.  
• If you are taking didanosine (a medicine used to treat hiv infections), you should not  take the chewable, buffered tablets until at least two hours after taking ofloxacin.  • Water tablets (diuretics) such as furosemide.

This medicine should not be taken within two hours of taking iron or zinc tablets,  antacids, or sucralfate, as these medicines can stop Ofloxacin from working properly.  

If you are due to have urine tests for porphyrin (a pigment in the blood), or for opiates  (strong painkillers), tell your doctor or nurse you are taking this medicine.  

Pregnancy and breast-feeding  

Do not take Ofloxacin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant  or are planning to have a baby. If you become pregnant while taking Ofloxacin, stop  taking the tablets and contact your doctor immediately.  

Driving and using machines  

Taking Ofloxacin may make you feel sleepy, dizzy or could affect your eyesight. Do not  drive or use machines until you know how this medicine affects you. Drinking alcohol  may make these symptoms worse.  

Ofloxacin contains lactose  

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars,  contact your doctor before taking this medicine.  

3. HOW TO USE OFLOXACIN TABLET 

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with  your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. 

• For oral use. You should swallow these tablets whole with water. Do not chew them.  • The tablets can be taken with or without food and can be divided into equal doses. • When taking Ofloxacin, avoid strong sunlight and do not use sun lamps or solaria as  your skin may be more sensitive to light.  
• If you are taking iron tablets (for anaemia), antacids (for indigestion or heartburn) or  sucralfate (for stomach ulcers) or didanosine chewable or buffered tablets (for HIV), it is  important not to take these two hours before or after taking Ofloxacin. If you feel the  effect of your medicine is too weak or strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask  your doctor. 
• When taking Ofloxacin, if your eyesight becomes impaired or if your eyes seem to be  otherwise affected, consult an eye specialist immediately 

When to take your medicine: 

• The length of your treatment will depend on how serious your infection is. • Treatment should not be longer than 2 months. 
• Doses up to 400 mg are taken as a single dose in the morning.  
• Higher doses should be taken in two doses, one in the morning and one in the evening. 

How much to take  

Adults (including the elderly): The dose to be taken will depend on the location and  the type of infection to be treated. For most infections the recommended dose is between 200 mg and 400 mg of Ofloxacin daily, preferably in the morning. For more  severe infections your doctor may increase the dose to 400 mg of Ofloxacin twice daily  (morning and evening).  

The recommended doses for different infections are shown below. However, your  doctor may decide you need a different dose.  

To treat simple urine infections: The recommended dose is 200 mg or 400 mg of  Ofloxacin daily.  

To treat complicated upper urinary tract infections: The recommended dose is 400  mg of Ofloxacin daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase this to 400 mg twice a  day.  

To treat gonorrhoea of the lower organs only: A single dose of 400 mg of Ofloxacin  in the morning is usually enough. To treat other infections of the lower genital organs for  which Ofloxacin is a suitable antibiotic, the dose is usually 400 mg each day.  

To treat a chest or lung infection: The recommended dose is 400 mg of Ofloxacin  daily. If necessary, your doctor may increase this to 400 mg twice a day.  

If you have liver problems: Your doctor may give you a lower dose of Ofloxacin. It is  recommended that the dose should not exceed 400 mg Ofloxacin daily.  

If you have kidney problems: Your doctor may recommend that you take an initial  dose as recommended above, then the dose may be reduced. It is recommended that  the dose should not exceed 200 mg of Ofloxacin daily.  

Use in children and adolescents  

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age should not take these tablets. 

If you take more Ofloxacin than you should 

If you take more tablets than you should you may become confused and dizzy or lose  consciousness, you may have a seizure or fit, and you may feel sick. Contact your  doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take the container and any  remaining tablets with you.  

If you forget to take Ofloxacin 

If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for  your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet 

If you stop taking Ofloxacin  

Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take your tablets for. Do not suddenly  stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first. If you stop, your infection may get worse again.  

If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or strong, do not change the dose  yourself, but ask your doctor.  

4. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS 

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets  them. 

Stop taking Ofloxacin, tell your doctor or go to your nearest hospital casualty  department straight away if you have any of the following serious side effects  because you may need medical attention: 

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):  

• Resistance of infection causing organisms to this treatment, (you may fail to respond to  treatment) 

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):  

• You have an allergic reaction. Such reactions may appear in the form of anaphylaxis (a  severe form of allergic reaction) with symptoms such as:  

– Severe skin rash  

– Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat (angioedema)  

– Anaphylactic shock (sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat  or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing)  

• Inflammation of the bowel, which may cause severe watery diarrhoea, which may have  blood in it, possibly with stomach cramps and a high temperature  
• Swelling of the tendons with the following symptoms; pain, tenderness, sometimes  restricted movement (tendonitis). This can lead to tendon rupture, especially of the large  tendon at the back of the ankle (achilles tendon). The risk of this occurring is increased  if you are also taking corticosteroids e.g. Prednisolone  
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet or being very sensitive to touch, numbness  or weakness of the arms and legs  
• Blurred, double or altered colour vision. If your eyesight becomes impaired or if your  eyes seem to be otherwise affected, consult an eye specialist immediately. 

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people):  

• A condition in which the amount of oxygen-carrying pigment (haemoglobin) in the blood  is below normal or an illness resulting from the destruction of red blood cells with the  following symptoms; feeling tired, faint, dizzy, being short of breath when exercising and  having pale skin. These may be signs of anaemia or haemolytic anaemia.  
• Other blood disorders when the numbers of different types of cells in the blood may fall,  which may cause fever, chills, sore throat, ulcers in the mouth and throat (leucopenia,  agranulocytosis) 
• Fits (seizures)  
• Skin rash, which may blister, and looks like small targets (central dark spots surrounded  by a paler area, with dark ring around the edge) (erythema multiforme)  • A widespread rash with blisters and skin peeling on much of the body surface (toxic  epidermal necrolysis).  
• Narrowing, blockage or leakage of blood vessels, in exceptional cases leading to severe  skin reactions and death of areas of the skin  
• Severe kidney problems, which may result in your kidneys stopping working. Signs may  include a rash, high temperature, general aches and pains, or blood in the urine  • Hearing problems or hearing loss  
• Liver problems, such as inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or blockage in the bile duct,  that may cause your eyes or skin to go yellow (jaundice) or you may notice the following  symptoms; nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, feeling generally unwell, fever, itching,  light coloured bowel motions, dark coloured urine 

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):  • Abnormal fast heart rhythm, life-threatening irregular heart rhythm, alteration of the  heart rhythm (called ‘prolongation of QT interval’, seen on ECG, electrical activity of the  heart)  

• Severe depression or mental illness. Some people who are depressed think of harming  or killing themselves.  
• A serious reduction in all types of blood cells (pancytopenia), which may result from a  failure of the bone marrow to produce these  
• A widespread rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose,  eyes and genitals (Stevens Johnson syndrome).  
• Swelling of the lungs with the following symptoms; coughing, difficulty breathing,  wheezing  
• Temporary paralysis or weakness of the muscles (rhabdomyolysis), disease of the  muscles with the following symptoms; aching muscles, muscle tenderness or weakness,  not caused by exercise  
• An attack of porphyria (a rare blood pigment disorder) in patients with this disease  • Muscle or ligament rupture  
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) – you may have severe pain in the stomach  and back  
• Loss of consciousness (coma), due to a severe reduction in blood sugar levels  • Inflammation of the eye (uveitis)  
• Skin redness with excessive scaling (exfoliative dermatitis)  
• Loss of appetite, skin and eyes becoming yellow in colour, dark-coloured urine, itching,  or tender stomach (abdomen). These may be signs of liver problems which may include  a fatal failure of the liver.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or  lasts longer than a few days:  

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)  

• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea or stomach pains  • Irritated or burning eyes  
• Headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances including difficulty sleeping (insomnia)  • Feeling dizzy, having spinning sensations  
• Agitation, feeling restless  
• Cough and inflamed sore nose or throat (nasopharyngitis)  
• Fungal infection  
• Skin rash or itching 

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)  

• Loss of appetite 
• Fast heart beat 
• Drowsiness 
• Loss of memory 
• Feeling weak or irritable, sweating and/or trembling. This could be due to lowering of  blood sugar (glucose) levels especially in patients with diabetes or existing low blood  sugar 
• Feeling confused or anxious, nightmares, seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not  there, depression and mental illness  
• Changes in or loss of your sense of taste or smell 
• Shortness of breath or wheezing  
• Changes in levels of liver enzymes or bilirubin, which may be seen in blood tests • Excessive sweating and hot flushes 
• Changes in kidney function shown in blood tests 
• Feeling faint, lightheaded or dizzy, which may be due to low blood pressure • Hives (urticaria) 
• Rash with pimples 
• Delirium (acute confusional state) 

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)  

• Uncontrolled movements, unsteadiness and shaking 
• Unusual bleeding or bruising more easily than normal (thrombocytopenia) • Increase in some white blood cells (eosinophilia) 
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) 
• Joint and muscle pains 
• Skin rashes or eruptions, which may be caused by strong sunlight • Unusual purple discolouration under the skin, which may be due to bleeding or bruising  due to leaky or damaged blood vessels

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) 

• A red, scaly rash with bumps under the skin and blisters (exanthemous pustolosis) • Muscular weakness, muscle tear 
• An increase in blood sugar levels 
• Feeling of nervousness, tremor, unusual (involuntary) muscle movements,  • Fainting 
• Digestive problems such as stomach upset (indigestion/heartburn), constipation, or  wind 
• General pain, pains in your muscles and stiffness in the bones/joints (arthritis),  feeling unwell (asthenia), or fever 
• Persistent headache with or without blurred vision (benign intracranial  hypertension). 

Very rare cases of long lasting ( up to months or years) or permanent adverse drug  reactions, such as tendon inflammations, tendon rupture, joint pain, pain in the limbs,  difficulty in walking, abnormal sensations such as pins and needles, tingling, tickling,  burning, numbness or pain (neuropathy), depression, fatigue, sleep disorders, memory  impairment, as well as impairment of hearing, vision, and taste and smell have been  associated with administration of quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics, in some  cases irrespective of pre-existing risk factors.  

Cases of an enlargement and weakening of the aortic wall or a tear in the aortic wall  (aneurysms and dissections), which may rupture and may be fatal, and of leaking heart  valves have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones. See also section 2. 

Reporting of side effects  

If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible  side effects not listed in this leaflet. 

5. HOW TO STORE OFLOXACIN TABLET 

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. 
• Store below 30°C 
• Do not use Ofloxacin Tablet after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and label  after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 

6. FURTHER INFORMATION. 

What OFLOXACIN TABLET contains 

Each Ofloxacin Tablet contains: Ofloxacin 200mg 

What OFLOXACIN TABLET looks like and contents of the pack 

Ofloxacin 200mg: 1 x 10 tablets packed in blisters and placed in inner carton with insert.