Oflox 200: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects

What is Oflox 200 used for?

Oflox 200 is used to treat bacterial infections caused by germs that ofloxacin acts on, usually when other commonly used antibiotics are not suitable. A doctor decides whether an infection is bacterial and whether ofloxacin is the right choice.

• Urinary tract infections, including more complicated infections; for a simple bladder infection (cystitis) it is meant only for when other antibiotics cannot be used
• Infection of the prostate gland caused by E. coli bacteria
• Chest infections caused by bacteria, such as community-acquired pneumonia, and bacterial flare-ups of chronic bronchitis when other antibiotics cannot be used
• Uncomplicated skin infections
• Some sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia infection of the urethra or cervix
• Pelvic inflammatory disease, together with other medicines chosen by the doctor

How does Oflox 200 work?

Ofloxacin blocks two bacterial enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which bacteria need to copy and untangle their DNA when they divide. With these enzymes blocked, the bacterial DNA breaks and the bacteria die. It has no effect on viruses, which is why it does not help colds or flu.

What happens in your body after you take it

1. You swallow the tablet

   The tablet dissolves in the stomach and nearly all of the ofloxacin, about 98%, is absorbed into the blood. Food slows this down a little but does not reduce the amount absorbed.

2. Minerals can block it

   In the gut, ofloxacin can bind to aluminium, magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc. If antacids or these supplements are taken at the same time, much less of the medicine is absorbed. This is why they are kept at least 2 hours apart.

3. It reaches the blood

   Blood levels peak about 1 to 2 hours after a dose. Only about a third of the ofloxacin is bound to blood proteins, so most of it is free to move into the tissues.

4. It spreads into the tissues

   Ofloxacin spreads widely through the body into tissues and fluids, including the lungs, skin and urinary tract, where it can reach the bacteria causing the infection.

5. It kills the bacteria

   Inside the bacteria, ofloxacin blocks the enzymes that copy and untangle DNA. The DNA breaks and the bacteria die. Because it kills bacteria rather than only stopping their growth, it is called bactericidal.

6. The kidneys clear it

   The body changes very little ofloxacin. The kidneys remove it, and 65 to 80% of a dose leaves unchanged in the urine within 48 hours. The high levels in urine are one reason it is used for urinary infections.

7. Why it is taken twice a day

   Blood levels halve every 4 to 5 hours, so a dose is usually taken about every 12 hours. If the kidneys work less well, ofloxacin stays in the body longer, and the doctor may lower the dose or space the doses further apart.

How to take Oflox 200

Take Oflox 200 exactly as your doctor prescribes or as printed on the pack. The dose and the number of days depend on the infection and on how well your kidneys work.

• It is usually taken twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Your doctor decides the dose and how many days.
• It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
• Take it at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after antacids, sucralfate, or iron, zinc or multivitamin supplements, because they can stop it being absorbed.
• Drink plenty of fluids while taking it.
• Take the full course your doctor prescribes, even if you feel better sooner. Stopping early can let the infection come back and helps bacteria become resistant.
• The exception: stop taking it and contact your doctor straight away if you get tendon pain or swelling, numbness or tingling, changes in mood or thinking, or any serious side effect listed below.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Do not take two doses together.
• Avoid strong sunlight and sunlamps during the course, because ofloxacin can make the skin burn more easily.
• People with kidney or liver disease may need a lower dose. Tell your doctor about any kidney or liver problems.
• It is not usually used for children and teenagers under 18. Any use in them is decided by a doctor.

Oflox 200 dosage: how to take it

Side effects of Oflox 200

Most people take ofloxacin without serious problems; nausea, headache, trouble sleeping and dizziness are the most common side effects. Rarely, fluoroquinolones cause serious side effects that can be disabling and may last a long time.

Uncommon or mild

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Headache
• Trouble sleeping
• Dizziness
• Diarrhoea or being sick (vomiting)
• Itching or discharge in the genital area in women, which can be a sign of thrush

Oflox 200 side effects: common and serious

Who should be careful

Ofloxacin is not suitable for everyone, and regulators advise using fluoroquinolones only when other commonly recommended antibiotics are not suitable. Tell your doctor about your health and your other medicines before taking it.

• It treats bacterial infections only. It does not work for colds, flu or other viral infections, and taking it when it is not needed adds to antibiotic resistance
• A past allergy or serious side effect from ofloxacin or any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin or norfloxacin: it should not be used
• Age over 60, kidney disease, a kidney, heart or lung transplant, or taking steroid medicines such as prednisolone: a higher risk of tendon damage
• Past tendon problems, for example with rheumatoid arthritis, or very strenuous physical activity
• Myasthenia gravis: ofloxacin can make muscle weakness worse and should be avoided
• Epilepsy, past fits, or other brain or nerve conditions
• A history of mental health problems
• Diabetes, especially if you use insulin or tablets that lower blood sugar: your doctor may ask you to check your sugar more often
• An aortic aneurysm (a bulge in the main blood vessel), or a higher risk of one, such as older age, high blood pressure, hardened arteries, or conditions such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Heart rhythm problems, a known long QT interval, low potassium, or taking medicines for heart rhythm
• Kidney or liver disease
• Pregnancy: safety has not been established, so it is usually avoided; tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
• Breastfeeding: ofloxacin passes into breast milk; ask your doctor
• Children and teenagers under 18: not usually used, because of possible effects on growing joints
• Sunlight: ofloxacin can make skin more sensitive to the sun
• Dizziness or drowsiness: do not drive or use machines until you know how the medicine affects you

Medicines and things that interact with Oflox 200

Some medicines and supplements change how ofloxacin is absorbed or add to its side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take.

• Antacids with aluminium, magnesium or calcium, sucralfate, iron, zinc or multivitamins with minerals: take ofloxacin at least 2 hours before or after them
• Theophylline (an asthma medicine): its levels may rise, increasing side effects such as fits
• Warfarin: its blood-thinning effect may increase, so your doctor may check your clotting more often
• NSAID painkillers such as ibuprofen: may increase the risk of fits
• Insulin and diabetes tablets such as glibenclamide: blood sugar may go too low or too high
• Steroid medicines such as prednisolone: higher risk of tendon damage
• Medicines that affect heart rhythm, such as amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine and procainamide, and some antidepressants and antipsychotics: higher risk of an irregular heartbeat
• Ciclosporin and probenecid: possible interactions that have not been well studied, so tell your doctor

If someone takes too much

Storage

Store below 30°C in a dry place, protected from light, in the original strip, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.

Regulatory status in India

Approved for sale in India. Single-ingredient ofloxacin is not on the CDSCO list of banned medicines. Several fixed-dose combinations that pair ofloxacin with other ingredients are prohibited, for example ofloxacin with ornidazole as a suspension or injection, ofloxacin with nitazoxanide, and azithromycin with ofloxacin (September 2018), and flavoxate with ofloxacin (August 2024). Oflox 200 contains ofloxacin only.

Other brands with the same medicine

Other brands with the same active ingredient include Zanocin 200 and Zenflox 200. Generic ofloxacin 200 mg tablets are also available, including at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras. They all contain ofloxacin and work the same way. Check the label for the strength. Oflox OZ is a different medicine: it also contains ornidazole.

Other strengths and forms

Oflox is a Cipla brand sold as more than one product. Besides the 200 mg tablet, Cipla lists Oflox OZ tablets (ofloxacin with ornidazole) and ofloxacin eye and ear drops. These have different contents and uses, so check the label of the one you have. Eye and ear drops are not to be swallowed.

Common questions