Ofloxacin (Floxin) 

Ofloxacin is a powerful chemotherapeutic drug that is antibiotic in nature (cytotoxic antibiotic or antimicrobial chemotherapy). This medication is now available under several brand names for intravenous and oral administration. Floxin is available for relevant use as eye and ear drops.  

Indications: Ofloxacin is mainly indicated in in treatment of prostate infection (Prostatis). It is used in small dosages in adults to treat serious bacterial infections like the inflammation of the prostate gland. When there is swelling of the prostate gland, it increases pressure felt by the adjoining tissues. This leads to trouble in urinating along with other problems like fainting while urinating; burning sensation in urethra, painful ejaculation, etc. This medication alleviates all these problems, making the life of the patient better.  

Ofloxacin is also used in the treatment of several other bacterial infections: 

• Bacterial exacerbations in chronic bronchitis 
• Pneumonia 
• Several skin infections 
• Infections in urethra and cervix 
• Cervical gonorrhea 
• Acute pelvic inflammatory disease 
• Urinary tract infections and associated ailments 

Dosage: The drug, Ofloxacin, should be administered as per the recommendation and prescription of medical practitioner. The usual duration for which the drug is administered is 7 – 14 days. However, the condition of renal function should be checked carefully before and after intake of this drug. 

Contraindication: Ofloxacin is not recommended in all conditions. The medication can be contraindicated in the following cases: 

• Patient having a liver ailment 
• Patient is pregnant or a lactating mother 
• Patient having a psychiatric disorder 
• Patient suffering from epilepsy 
• Patient belongs to pediatric group 
• Patient suffering from any sexually transmitted disease 
• Patient feeling uneasy after being administered by this drug 

Mechanism of Action (MOA):  Being a broad-spectrum antibiotic, Ofloxacin is effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Its main function is to first inhibit the DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, thereby restricting cell division. Some of the derivatives of this drug display high activity against bacterial topoisomerase and eukaryotic topoisomerase, thus restricting bacterial growth.  

Absorption – Having a bio-availability of 98%, it gets readily absorbed after oral intake. 

Distribution – When administered to healthy elderly people, the maximum plasma concentrations were usually reached within 1-2 hours, showing the rapid distribution of the drug.  

Metabolism – Most of the drug remains unaffected by the human metabolic processes 

Excretion – Between 65-80% of orally administered Ofloxacin remains untouched when it is excreted through urination after nearly 48 hours from its administrations. 5% of it is recovered in the urine as N-oxide metabolites. 4-8% of it is excreted in faeces. 

Interactions: Ofloxacin reacts with a number of other drugs, including some herbal and certain food supplements - st John wort for instance. It is said to react with the drugs like acenocoumarol, anisindione, dicumarol, dihydroquinidine barbiturate, quinidine, and quinidine barbiturate. 

Side Effects: Ofloxacin can cause serious side effects. It is reported to have caused peripheral neuropathy (irreversible nerve damage), tendon damage, heart problems, and pseudomembranous colitis (not to be confused with ulcerative colitis. Damage to liver and dysglycemia are also some of the other side effects of this drug. Hepatotoxicity has also been reported in some cases that may result in severe after effects. On experiencing any of these side effects doctor must be consulted immediately.