Ofloxacin – Your Weapon Against All Kinds of Bacterial Infections

There is no dearth of infections and diseases on this planet. Bacterial infections are widespread and many people become victims to these infections on a daily basis. Whether it’s an infection of the respiratory tract, reproductive organs, skin, or bladder. An antibiotic is used to prevent the infection from getting worse. A widely used antibiotic medicine is ofloxacin. This medicine has many uses. It is used for the treatment of all kinds of infections including bronchitis and urinary tract infections.

Ofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone antibiotics family. What makes it so useful and effective? This antibiotic starts working by eliminating the bacteria that are the root cause of the bacterial infection. However, it should be kept in mind that you will not get any benefit from this medicine if you are using it to treat ailments like cough, cold, and flu. Also, make sure that you are not consuming this antibiotic without any infection.many people take antibiotics to stay safe from viral infections. But doing so only increases their risk of contracting the infection. Also, if you take this antibiotic when it is not needed, the treatment may not work later if you contract an infection.

What Are the Ofloxacin Uses?

Antibiotic medicine, Credit: Canva

As mentioned before, ofloxacin is mainly used for treating a wide range of bacterial infections. These infections may cause the following conditions

1. Bronchitis or swelling of the bronchial tubes that facilitates the passage of air towards the lungs.

2. Pneumonia or swelling of the airspaces that are present in the lungs. Fever and chills are its major symptoms.

3. Chlamydia or a sexually transmitted disease that affects people who are under the age group of 25 years.

4. Gonorrhea or a bacterial infection that usually spreads from one person to another during any sexual activity.

5. Skin infections that are caused by various bacterias.

6. An infection of the urinary tract or UTIs.

7. Infection of the prostate gland.

Ofloxacin tablet usage is not limited to the bacterial infections only. It is used for the treatment of other kinds of infections like legionnaires disease, that is, a kind of lung infection and as you might have read above, various types of sexually transmitted diseases. It is also used to halt the progress of various bones, joints, stomach, and intestine infections. Another common usage of this medicine is to treat and prevent the condition of traveler’s diarrhea.

Ofloxacin and Ornidazole

Antibiotic tablets, Credit: Canva

Sometimes, a combination of two antibacterial medicines, ofloxacin and ornidazole is used to kill microorganisms causing infections in your body. Bacterial and parasitic infections are better treated by using ofloxacin ornidazole. If you are suffering from gastrointestinal disorders like chronic diarrhea and other gynecological infections then your doctor may prescribe you a combination of  ofloxacin and ornidazole tablets.

Ofloxacin prevents the growth of bacterial cells and prevents them from rapidly dividing and repairing. Ornidazole works by killing anaerobic bacteria that lead to infections by damaging the DNA of these bacterias. Their combination is very effective in the treatment of many lung, gynecological, and urinary infections.

Usually this combination can be safely used by most patients. However, if you are someone who is allergic to either of these medicines then you should stay away from them. Sometimes, patients can experience certain side effects of using ofloxacin and ornidazole. These include

1. Nausea

2. Pain in the abdomen

3. Headache

4. A dry sensation in the mouth

5. Vomiting

6. dizziness

In most cases, this combination is safe and effective. However, if you feel that your side effects are stretching for a really long time then its best to talk about it with your healthcare provider. Do not ignore the severity of symptoms as they may point towards any kind of underlying disorder in your body.

Administering Ofloxacin in the right manner

Person taking antibiotic tablet, Credit: Canva

Before you begin taking this antibiotic, carefully read the medication guide that your pharmacist provides you. If you find that you are confused over its dosage, immediately ask your doctor about it.

This medication is administered by mouth. It can be taken with or without your meals. It is usually instructed by the doctor. The medication is taken two times a day with a gap of 12 hours. Its dosage as well as the length of treatment is according to the condition you have. A thing to note while taking this medicine is to keep drinking plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day.

The medicine should be taken at least two hours before or after you have eaten something. Otherwise, it will not be as effective as it should be. You should maintain an adequate gap between this medicine and other multivitamin supplements that you take. Maintain a regular schedule and administer this medicine at approximately the same time and intervals every single day.

You will notice that your symptoms will recede after taking this medicine daily for a prescribed amount of time. Do not be irregular and do not stop taking the medicine midway. It may result in you contracting the infection again. If you find no improvement in your symptoms, then it is best to talk to your healthcare provider again.

When Should You Discontinue Using Ofloxacin?

Woman in pain, Credit: Canva

Ofloxacin is a safe antibiotic that can be used by every person experiencing some kind of bacterial infection. Usually patients do not report any adverse side effects that may cause them severe discomfort. But in very rare cases, the symptoms need immediate medical attention. These are the symptoms that are presented as warning signs in the package of this tablet. You should immediately seek a doctor’s help if you experience these symptoms. Otherwise, it can be fatal. These symptoms are

1. Acute diarrhea along with fever and cramps in the stomach. The diarrhea may be characterised by stools that are watery or bloody.

2. Rash in any part of the skin.

3. Constant itching in the skin.

4. You may also experience your skin peeling. In such cases, you should talk to your doctor.

5. Inflammation of the face, lips, tongue, or eyes. Additionally, if you feel that after taking this medicine your throat, feet, hands, and ankles are acquiring an inflamed appearance, then also you should seek help.

6. Experiencing difficulty in swallowing and breathing along with a tight sensation in the throat is also a warning sign.

7. Experiencing high levels of thirst or hunger along with high levels of anxiety, sweating, and rapid heart beats should also not be ignored.

8. If you find yourself fainting and losing consciousness then also you should stop taking this medication.

9. A sudden occurrence of pain in the chest area, back or stomach is another warning signal.

Now that you know all about ofloxacin, its usage, and dosage, as well as the warning signs, you should be able to administer it in the right manner. Always consult your doctor if you are confused at any point.