What is the usages and side effects of Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin is a synthetic chemotherapeutic antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class considered to be a second-generation fluoroquinolone. The original brand, Floxin, has been discontinued by the manufacturer in the United States on 18 June 2009, though generic equivalents continue to be available.

Ofloxacin(CAS NO:82419-36-1) is sold under a wide variety of brand names as well as generic drug equivalents, for oral and intravenous administration. It is also available for topical use, as eye drops and ear drops.

Ofloxacin(CAS NO:82419-36-1) is not licensed by the FDA for use in children due to the risk of serious reversible and irreversible injury to the musculoskeletal system. Other fluoroquinolones do have a limited licensed uses in children but are generally not recommended due to safety concerns.Ofloxacin (and its derivatives) has also been associated with a few isolated reports of unexplained pediatric fatalities. Children (those under 18) are also at an increased risk of bone, joint, or tendon toxicities.

Prescribing ofloxacin in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of severe adverse drug reactions.

In the adult population ofloxacin is limited to the treatment of proven serious and life threatening bacterial infections such as:
1.Community-acquired pneumonia
2.Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
3.Nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis
4.Mixed Infections of the urethra and cervix
5.Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections
6.Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis

It has not been shown to be effective in the treatment of syphilis. It is now considered to be contraindicated for the treatment of certain sexually transmitted diseases by some experts due to bacterial resistance

Like other quinolones, ofloxacin has been associated with a significant number of serious adverse drug reactions.These include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The risk of tendon problems is greater in patients who are older than 60 years, patients who take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), and in those who have received kidney, heart, or lung transplants. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle is most often affected. However, problems may also occur in other tendons (eg, in the shoulder, arm, hand). Problems may occur while you take this medicine or up to several months after you stop taking it.

Signs of tendon problems may include pain, soreness, redness, or swelling of a tendon or joint; bruising right after an injury in a tendon area; hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a joint or tendon area; or inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms while you take ofloxacin or within several months after you stop taking it.

Ofloxacin may worsen muscle weakness and breathing problems in patients with myasthenia gravis. Do not take ofloxacin if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

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