Description
Norfloxacin is used to treat certain bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. Norfloxacin may mask or delay the symptoms of syphilis. It is not effective against syphilis infections.
Norfloxacin belongs to the class of medicines known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of norfloxacin in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of norfloxacin in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart or kidney problems, or develop severe tendon problems (including tendon rupture), which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving norfloxacin.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Bepridil
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Levoketoconazole
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acarbose
- Acecainide
- Adagrasib
- Albiglutide
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Alosetron
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Azimilide
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Betamethasone
- Bretylium
- Budesonide
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Canagliflozin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Chlorpropamide
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clothiapine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aluminum Carbonate, Basic
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Aluminum Phosphate
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Calcium
- Cyclosporine
- Didanosine
- Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate
- Dihydroxyaluminum Sodium Carbonate
- Iron
- Lanthanum Carbonate
- Magaldrate
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Magnesium Hydroxide
- Magnesium Oxide
- Magnesium Trisilicate
- Probenecid
- Sucralfate
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Dairy Food
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or
- Diabetes or
- Diarrhea or
- Heart disease or
- Heart rhythm problems (eg, prolonged QT interval), or family history of or
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood), uncorrected or
- Liver disease (including hepatitis) or
- Myocardial ischemia (reduced blood supply in the heart) or
- Seizures (epilepsy), or history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
- Brain disease (eg, hardening of the arteries) or
- Kidney disease or
- Organ transplant (eg, heart, kidney, or lung), history of or
- Tendon disorder (eg, rheumatoid arthritis), history of—Use with caution. May cause side effects to become worse.
- G6PD deficiency (an enzyme problem)—Anemia may occur while using this medicine.
- Myasthenia gravis (severe muscle weakness), or history of or
- Tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon), history of or
- Tendon rupture, history of—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Proper Use
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.
Swallow the tablet with a glass (8 ounces) of water. Drink plenty of fluids while you are being treated with this medicine. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of norfloxacin.
Norfloxacin should be taken at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, milk, or other dairy products.
If you are taking aluminum or magnesium-containing antacids, iron supplements, multivitamins, Didanosine (Videx®), sucralfate (Carafate®), or zinc, do not take them at the same time that you take this medicine. It is best to take these medicines at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking norfloxacin. These medicines may keep norfloxacin from working properly.
Avoid caffeine-containing products (eg, coffee, soda, or chocolate) while you are using this medicine. Norfloxacin may cause caffeine to stay in your body longer than usual.
Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For infections:
- Adults—400 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 3 to 21 days, depending on the medical problem being treated. Prostatitis is usually treated for 28 days. Gonorrhea is usually treated with a single oral dose of 800 mg.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For infections:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble with breathing, trouble with swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after you receive this medicine.
Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have dark urine, clay-colored stools, abdominal or stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin. These maybe symptoms of a serious liver problem.
Norfloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. If these reactions are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Norfloxacin may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
Tell your doctor right away if you start having numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. These may be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
Norfloxacin may rarely cause inflammation or even tearing of a tendon (the cord that attaches muscles to bones). The risk of having tendon problems may be increased if you are over 60 years of age, using steroid medicines (eg, dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), if you have severe kidney problems, a history of tendon problems (eg, rheumatoid arthritis), or if you have received an organ (eg, heart, kidney, or lung) transplant. If you get sudden pain or swelling in a tendon after exercise (eg, in the ankle, back of the knee or leg, shoulder, elbow, or wrist), check with your doctor right away. Refrain from exercise until your doctor says otherwise.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using this medicine: convulsions, feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there, severe headache, trouble sleeping, or unusual thoughts or behaviors.
Some people who take norfloxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause severe sunburn, or skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration. When you begin using this medicine:
- Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM, if possible.
- Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
- Apply a sun block product that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some people may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.
- Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.
If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
- Chest pain or discomfort
- chills
- diarrhea
- discouragement
- fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
- feeling sad or empty
- fever
- flushing or redness of the skin
- hives or welts, itching, or skin rash
- increased sweating
- irritability
- irritation or soreness of the mouth
- itching of the rectal area
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- nausea
- pain and inflammation at the joints
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- redness of the skin
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- swelling of the foot or hand
- swelling of the stomach
- tingling of the fingers
- tiredness
- trouble with concentrating
- trouble with sleeping
- unusually warm skin
- vomiting
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach cramps or tenderness
- anxiety
- back, leg, or stomach pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the urine or stools
- blurred vision
- bone pain
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- clay-colored stools
- cold sweats
- constipation
- cool, pale skin
- cough or hoarseness
- cracks in the skin
- dark-colored urine
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- diarrhea, watery and severe, which may also be bloody
- difficulty with breathing, chewing, swallowing, or talking
- difficulty with moving
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- double vision
- drooping eyelids
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- false sense of well-being
- fever with or without chills
- fruit-like breath odor
- general body swelling
- general feeling of tiredness or weakness
- greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
- headache
- inability to move the arms and legs
- increased blood pressure
- increased hunger
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- indigestion
- irregular or slow heart rate
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- light-colored stools
- loss of heat from the body
- lower back or side pain
- mood or mental changes
- mood swings
- muscle aching or cramping
- muscle pain or stiffness
- muscle weakness
- nightmares
- nosebleeds
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pain or burning while urinating
- pain, inflammation, or swelling in the calves, shoulders, or hands
- pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
- painful or difficult urination
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- personality changes
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, swollen skin
- scaly skin
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seizures
- severe sunburn
- severe tiredness
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- slurred speech
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- sores, welting, or blisters
- stomach pain, continuing
- sudden decrease in the amount of urine
- sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs
- swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
- swollen glands
- tightness in the chest
- unexplained weight loss
- unpleasant breath odor
- unsteadiness, awkwardness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual behavior, such as disorientation to time or place, failure to recognize people, hyperactivity, or restlessness
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- unusual weight loss
- vomiting of blood
- weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- weight gain
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Lack or loss of strength
Rare
- Acid or sour stomach
- belching
- bitter taste
- cramps
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- full feeling
- heartburn
- heavy bleeding
- pain
- passing gas
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- weight loss
Incidence not known
- Change in taste
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- hearing loss
- itching of the vagina or outside genitals
- loss of taste
- pain during sexual intercourse
- seeing double
- thick, white curd-like vaginal discharge without odor or with mild odor
- uncontrolled eye movements
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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