Ofloxacinis a synthetic fluoroquinolone (fluoroquinolones) antibacterial agent that inhibits the supercoiling activity of bacterial DNA gyrase, halting DNA replication, that fights bacteria in the body.
Ofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, skin, soft tissue, lungs, prostate, or urethral, urinary tract (bladder and kidneys). Ofloxacin is also used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease and Chlamydia and/or gonorrhea/cervical gonorrhoea.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects that may not be reversible. Ofloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.
Ofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Ofloxacin is a quinolone/fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Ofloxacin 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.
Ofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Ofloxacin acts on DNA gyrase and toposiomerase IV, enzymes which, like human topoisomerase, prevents the excessive supercoiling of DNA during replication or transcription. By inhibiting their function, the drug thereby inhibits normal cell division.
Metabolism: Hepatic
Absorption: Bioavailability of ofloxacin in the tablet formulation is approximately 98%
Route of elimination: Elimination is mainly by renal excretion. Between 65% and 80% of an administered oral dose of ofloxacin is excreted unchanged via the kidneys within 48 hours of dosing. Four to eight percent of an ofloxacin dose is excreted in the feces. This indicates a small degree of biliary excretion of ofloxacin.
Half life: 9 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 Ofloxacin.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions.
Common side effects may include: nausea, constipation, diarrhea. dizziness or headache.
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.
