Ofloxacin (sold under the brand name
Floxin in the
United States,
Tarivid in Europe and some other countries) is a
fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Ofloxacin is the
racemic mixture of the
chiral compound. The biologically active
enantiomer is sold separately under the name of
levofloxacin. It has been used as a treatment for
gonorrhoea and
chlamydia infection and is an alternative treatment to
ciprofloxacin for
anthrax. Like all quinolones, ofloxacin is not effective in the treatment of syphilis.
Adverse effects
The side effects of ofloxacin are similar to those of other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The most common adverse effects are headache, nausea, insomnia, dizziness, and diarrhea. Serious, rare side effects (also common to all fluoroquinolones) include: tendon damage, known as quinolone-induced tendonopathy; irreversible peripheral neuropathy; QT prolongation; central nervous system effects such as dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, and even hallucinations and seizures; and abnormal blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, even in people who do not have diabetes).
Ofloxacin crosses the placenta, and fluoroquinolones have been shown to cause fetal harm in animals; it is therefore not recommended for use by pregnant women. It also passes into breast milk, and should not be used by women who are breastfeeding.
Tendon rupture
As with all fluoroquinolones, there is a possibility of spontaneous tendon rupture. Such ruptures may occur both during therapy and long after therapy has been discontinued; there are documented cases where rupture has occurred six months after therapy. The risk of tendon damage is greater in people taking
corticosteroids and in the elderly.
Since July 2008, all systemic fluoroquinolones (those taken internally, not as eye drops or ear drops) available in the United States must carry a boxed warning warning of the risk of tendon damage.
References
External links
- Ofloxacin: an overview - A site with its chemical properties and alternate brand names.
-
-Merck Manual link covering the class of fluoroquinolones antibacterials.
