Norfloxacin is a synthetic fluoroquinolone (fluoroquinolones) with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against most gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Norfloxacin inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase.
Norfloxacin is used for the treatment of urinary tract infection.
Associated Conditions: Cystitis, Gonococcal cervicitis, Infectious diarrhea, Pyelitis, Pyelonephritis, Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP), Travelers' Diarrhea, Urethritis gonococcal,
Norfloxacin can generate the following conditions: irritated or torn tendons; nerve problems in the arms, hands, legs, or feet; and nervous system problems.
The chance of irritated or torn tendons is greater in people over the age of 60; heart, kidney, or lung transplant patients; or people taking steroid drugs. Tendon problems can happen as long as several months after treatment.
Do not take Norfloxacin if you have myasthenia gravis. Very bad breathing problems have happened with norfloxacin in people who have myasthenia gravis.
For some health problems, norfloxacin is only for use when other drugs cannot be used or have not worked.
Norfloxacin is a quinolone/fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Norfloxacin is bactericidal and its mode of action depends on blocking of bacterial DNA replication by binding itself to an enzyme called DNA gyrase, which allows the untwisting required to replicate one DNA double helix into two.
Notably the drug has 100 times higher affinity for bacterial DNA gyrase than for mammalian.
The bactericidal action of Norfloxacin results from inhibition of the enzymes topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.
Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterias. The fluorine atom at the 6 position increases potency against gram-negative organisms, and the piperazine moiety at the 7 position is responsible for anti-pseudomonal activity
Metabolism: Via liver and kidney
Absorption: Rapid
Route of elimination: Norfloxacin is eliminated through metabolism, biliary excretion, and renal excretion. Renal excretion occurs by both glomerular filtration and tubular secretion as evidenced by the high rate of renal clearance (approximately 275 mL/min).
Half life: 3-4 hours
Affected organisms: Enteric bacteria and other eubacteria
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.Some medical conditions may interact with Norfloxacin.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Side effects include: headache, dizziness, upset stomach or throwing up, diarrhea, constipation, not hungry, feeling sleepy.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider.
