Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Noroxin

Generic Name: norfloxacin (Pronunciation: nor FLOX a sin)

• What is norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• What are the possible side effects of norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• How should I take norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Noroxin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Noroxin)?
• What should I avoid while taking norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• What other drugs will affect norfloxacin (Noroxin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is norfloxacin (Noroxin)?

Norfloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Norfloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Norfloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the prostate and urinary tract. Norfloxacin also treats gonorrhea.

Norfloxacin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Noroxin 400 mg

elliptical, pink, imprinted with NOROXIN, MSD 705

What are the possible side effects of norfloxacin (Noroxin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using norfloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• seizure (convulsions);
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• sudden pain, snapping or popping sound, bruising, loss of movement, or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• pain in your upper stomach, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness;
• fever, swollen glands, general ill feeling;
• sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, mild stomach pain, constipation;
• feeling restless or anxious;
• headache, dizziness;
• muscle pain;
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares);
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• mild skin itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to norfloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking norfloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take norfloxacin. These other medicines can make norfloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.

Taking norfloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.

Norfloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking norfloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you do.