Norfloxacin Oral tablet

What is this medicine?

NORFLOXACIN (nor FLOX a sin) is a quinolone antibiotic. It is used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, milk, or other dairy products. Avoid taking multivitamins, antacids, sucralfate, or didanosine within 2 hours of taking this medicine. It is best to separate these medicines by 2 hours. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early even if you feel better. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

-allergic reactions like skin rash or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

-anxious

-confusion

-depressed mood

-diarrhea

-fast, irregular heartbeat

-hallucination, loss of contact with reality

-joint, muscle, or tendon pain or swelling

-pain, tingling, numbness in the hands or feet

-suicidal thoughts or other mood changes

-sunburn

-unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

-dry mouth

-headache

-nausea

-trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-cisapride

-medicines for irregular heart rhythm like dofetilide, dronedarone

-some medicines for depression or mental problems like phenothiazines, pimozide, and ziprasidone

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-antacids

-caffeine

-certain medicines for diabetes, like glyburide

-clozapine

-cyclosporine

-didanosine (ddI) buffered tablets or powder

-multivitamins

-nitrofurantoin

-NSAIDS, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

-probenecid

-ropinirole

-sucralfate

-tizanidine

-theophylline

-warfarin

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-bone problems

-cerebral disease

-history of low levels of potassium in the blood

-irregular heartbeat

-joint problems

-kidney disease

-myasthenia gravis

-seizures

-tendon problems

-tingling of the fingers or toes, or other nerve disorder

-an unusual or allergic reaction to norfloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics, foods, dyes, or preservatives

-pregnant or trying to get pregnant

-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse. Drink several glasses of water a day and cut down on drinks that contain caffeine. You must not get dehydrated while taking this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths. Contact your doctor if you get a sunburn.

If you are a diabetic monitor your blood glucose carefully. If you get an unusual reading stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away.

Do not treat diarrhea with over-the-counter products. Contact your doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if the diarrhea is severe and watery.