Section :
Oflox
📌 COMPOSITION
Each film‑coated tablet contains: Ofloxacin 200 mg, 400 mg.
📌 DESCRIPTION
Oflox (Ofloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone with a wide range of antibacterial activity against both gram‑negative and gram‑positive organisms. It acts as a specific inhibitor of bacterial DNA gyrase, which is required for bacterial reproduction, leading to cell death. Ofloxacin is almost completely absorbed after oral administration. Maximal blood levels occur 1-3 hours after dosing, and the elimination half‑life is 4-6 hours. Ofloxacin is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine.
📌 INDICATIONS & DOSAGE
- Upper and lower urinary tract infections: 200-400 mg daily (increasing, if necessary, to 400 mg twice a day in case of upper urinary tract infections).
- Uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonorrhoea: A single dose of 400 mg.
- Non‑gonococcal urethritis and cervicitis: 400 mg daily in single or divided doses.
- Complicated skin and soft tissue infections: 400 mg twice daily.
- Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis and community‑acquired pneumonia: 400 mg daily, increasing, if necessary, to 400 mg twice daily.
- Severe traveller's diarrhoea: 400 mg as a single dose or once daily for three days if necessary.
- Typhoid fever: 15 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses for 5-7 days.
📌 DOSE IN PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED RENAL FUNCTION
- Creatinine clearance 50-20 ml/min: 100-200 mg per 24 hours.
- Creatinine clearance < 20 ml/min or haemodialysis: 100 mg per 24 hours or 200 mg per 48 hours.
Dose in patients with impaired liver function: The maximum daily dose of 400 mg should not be exceeded.
📌 RESTRICTIONS ON USE
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to Ofloxacin or to other quinolones.
- Ofloxacin should not be used in patients with a history of tendinitis related to fluoroquinolone administration or a history of epilepsy or convulsive seizures.
- Ofloxacin is contraindicated in children or growing adolescents.
- Patients with glucose‑6‑phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Precautions
- Caution should be taken in patients with known risk factors for prolongation of the QT interval, such as congenital long QT syndrome, concomitant use of drugs that are known to prolong the QT interval, electrolyte imbalance (e.g., hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia), cardiac disease (e.g., heart failure, myocardial infarction, bradycardia), or elderly patients and women.
- Ofloxacin may cause muscle weakness, so it is not recommended in patients with a history of myasthenia gravis.
- Caution should be taken in patients with mental health problems, because Ofloxacin may affect the mental state.
- Ofloxacin is not recommended for the treatment of known or suspected methicillin‑resistant S. aureus infections.
Use in Pregnancy and Lactation
Oflox is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women.
Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Patients may feel sleepy or dizzy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any machines.
📌 DRUG INTERACTIONS
- Co‑administration of Ofloxacin with drugs known to prolong the QT interval (Class IA and III anti‑arrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolide antibiotics, antipsychotics) may increase the risk of prolonging the QT interval.
- Co‑administration of antacids containing magnesium or aluminium, sucralfate, zinc or iron medications can reduce the absorption of Ofloxacin. Therefore, Ofloxacin should be taken 2 hours before taking these medications.
- Concomitant administration of Ofloxacin with anticoagulants may lead to prolongation of bleeding time.
- Concomitant administration of Ofloxacin with theophylline or NSAIDs may lead to convulsive seizures.
- Concomitant administration of Ofloxacin with glibenclamide may cause a slight increase in serum concentrations; therefore, diabetic patients should be closely monitored.
- Concomitant administration of Ofloxacin with probenecid, cimetidine, furosemide and methotrexate may affect tubular renal secretion.
📌 SIDE EFFECTS
Uncommon effects include: dizziness, headache, rash, diarrhoea, abdominal pain. Rare effects include: anaphylactic reaction, anorexia, visual disturbance, tachycardia, hypotension, increased hepatic enzymes. Very rarely: tinnitus, jaundice, muscle pain.
📌 OVERDOSAGE
Symptoms: Confusion, dizziness, impairment of consciousness, seizures, increased QT interval. Treatment includes gastric lavage and administration of activated charcoal. ECG monitoring should be undertaken.
📌 STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Store below 30°C in a dry place.
📌 PHARMACEUTICAL FORMS
- Oflox 200 mg, 400 mg film‑coated tablets: Pack of 10 tablets and hospital packs of different sizes.
