Floxin Otic

Generic Name: ofloxacin otic (oh FLOCKS a sin OH tic)Brand Names: Floxin Otic

What is ofloxacin otic?

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Ofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Ofloxacin is used to treat ear infections.

Ofloxacin otic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about ofloxacin otic?

Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Ofloxacin otic is intended for use in the ears only. Do not touch the dropper opening to any surface, including the ears or hands. The dropper opening is sterile. If it becomes contaminated, it could cause another infection in the ear.

Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using ofloxacin otic?

Do not use ofloxacin otic without first talking to your doctor if you have had a previous allergic reaction to it or to another similar oral or topical fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as:

• ciprofloxacin (Cipro, CiproDex, Cipro HC), gatifloxacin (Tequin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or trovafloxacin (Trovan).

You may not be able to use ofloxacin otic, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.

Ofloxacin otic is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ofloxacin otic without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether ofloxacin otic passes into breast milk. Do not use ofloxacin otic without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use ofloxacin otic?

Use ofloxacin otic exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Do not use this medication in the eyes or take it by mouth. Ofloxacin otic is intended for use in the ears only.

In general, ofloxacin otic should be used as follows:

• Warm the drops slightly by holding the bottle in the hands for 1 or 2 minutes. Administration of cold drops into the ear may cause dizziness.

• Have another person administer the drops whenever possible. Have the affected person lie on their side or tilt the ear up to make administering a drop easier.

• Gently shake the drops just before administration.

• For adults, gently hold the earlobe up and back. For children, gently hold the earlobe down and back. This will allow the drops to run into the ear canal. Carefully instill the prescribed number of drops in the first ear.

• Keep the ear tilted for at least 5 minutes to allow the medication to penetrate the ear.

• If the patient being treated has ear tubes, the doctor may recommend gently pressing the tragus (part of the ear in front of the opening of the ear canal) four to five times in a pumping motion after administration of the drops. This may allow the drops to pass through the tubes into the middle ear. Follow the doctor's instructions.

• Repeat the process in the other ear if prescribed.

Ofloxacin ear drops are usually used twice a day, about 12 hours apart. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Use all of the medication that has been prescribed. Symptoms may begin to improve before the condition is completely treated. If you do not use all of the medication prescribed, the condition could return or worsen.

It is important to use ofloxacin otic regularly to get the most benefit.

Notify your doctor if the condition does not improve or appears to worsen.

Avoid getting water inside of the affected ear(s) during treatment with ofloxacin. Care should be used while bathing, and swimming may not be recommended. Talk to your healthcare provider.

Store ofloxacin otic at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Keep the bottle properly capped.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and use only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use a double dose of ofloxacin otic unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected or if the medication has been ingested.

Symptoms of a ofloxacin otic overdose are not known.

What should I avoid while using ofloxacin?

Ear infections may sometimes cause dizziness or a loss of balance. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities if you experience dizziness or a loss of balance. Avoid getting water inside of the affected ear(s) during treatment with ofloxacin. Care should be used while bathing, and swimming may not be recommended. Talk to your healthcare provider.

Ofloxacin otic side effects

Stop using ofloxacin otic and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor if you experience:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• skin rash; or

• ear drainage, discharge, or worsening pain.

Other less serious side effects may also occur such as ear discomfort or itching, and headache. Continue to use the medication and talk to your doctor if these side effects seem excessive or unusual.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect my ofloxacin otic?

Do not use other ear drops during treatment with ofloxacin otic without first talking to your doctor.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with ofloxacin otic. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about ofloxacin otic written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:43:08 PM.