Noroxin

Generic name: Norfloxacin

What is Noroxin?

Noroxin is a type of antibiotic known as a quinolone and is used to treat bacterial infections, such as urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and prostate infections.

What is the most important information I should know about Noroxin?

The safety and efficacy of norfloxacin in children, adolescents (under the age of 18), pregnant women, and nursing mothers have not been established.

Seizures, severe and in some cases, fatal allergic reactions have been reported. If you develop rash while taking norfloxacin, stop taking it and call your doctor right away.

Quinolones, including norfloxacin, may worsen the signs of myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness), leading to difficulty breathing which may be life threatening.

Fluoroquinolones, like Noroxin, are associated with an increased risk of tendonitis (inflammation or irritation of a tendon) and tendon rupture in all ages. The risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart and lung transplant patients.

Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely treated, however, you should take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to drink several glasses of water each day while you are taking Noroxin to protect your kidneys. Do not give this medication to anyone younger than 18 years old as it may interfere with bone development in growing children.

Who should not take Noroxin?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Noroxin, or if you have problems with your tendons or a history of tendon rupture while taking a medicine similar to norfloxacin, such as Avelox, Cipro, Floxin, Levaquin, Maxaquin, Tequin, Trovan, or Zagam. Also, do not use this medication if you have abnormal heart rhythms and are being treated with medications such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone or sotalol.

If you low potassium levels in your blood or taking medications known as diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding; do not take Noroxin.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Noroxin?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Noroxin. Give your doctor your complete medical history, especially if you have myasthenia gravis, a personal or family history of long QT syndrome, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), heart disease or heart rhythm disorder, liver disease, kidney disease, seizures or epilepsy.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) (cystitis) due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, or P. mirabilis

Adults 18 years and older: The usual starting dose is 400 milligrams (mg) every 12 hours for 3 days.

Uncomplicated UTIs Due to Other Indicated Organisms

Adults 18 years and older: The usual staring dose is 400 mg every 12 hours for 7-10 days.

Complicated UTIs

Adults 18 years and older: The usual starting dose is 400 mg every 12 hours for 10-21 days.

Uncomplicated Gonorrhea

Adults 18 years and older: The usual starting dose is a single dose of 800 mg for one day.

Prostatitis, Acute or Chronic

Adults 18 years and older: The usual starting dose is 400 mg every 12 hours for 28 days.

For elderly patients or patients with kidney problems the dosage may be different. Contact your doctor for more information.

How should I take Noroxin?

Take Noroxin at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after a meal or drinking milk and/or other dairy products. Take Noroxin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). It is important to drink several glasses of water each day while you are taking Noroxin to protect your kidneys.

Multivitamins, other products containing iron or zinc, antacids containing magnesium and aluminum, sucralfate, or Videx (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or the pediatric powder for oral solution, should not be taken within 2 hours before or after taking Noroxin.

Take Noroxin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Take Noroxin for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Noroxin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

What should I avoid while taking Noroxin?

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (eg, sunlamps or tanning beds). Noroxin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and more susceptible to sunburn. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor instructs you to.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Noroxin?

If Noroxin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Noroxin with any of the following: antibiotics known as quinolones; antidepressants; aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); blood thinners such as warfarin; caffeine; cisapride; cyclosporine; heart rhythm medications such as quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone or sotalol; insulin or oral diabetes medications such as glyburide; multivitamins or other products containing iron or zinc; antacids or sucrafalte; nitrofurantoin; probenecid; psychiatric disorder medications such as clozapine; ropinirole; tacrine; tizanidine; theophylline; and videx (Didanosine).

What are the possible side effects of Noroxin?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach cramps, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gas; changes in hearing and pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness in arms or legs, rash

If rash occurs, stop taking Noroxin and call your doctor right away.

Can I receive Noroxin if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

The effects of Noroxin during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unknown. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Noroxin?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your medicine, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

How should I store Noroxin?

Store Noroxin at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed.