Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin is a synthetic antibacterial belonging to the class of quinolones.

More to the point, ololoxacin is a fluoroquinolone and has bactericidal activity, ie it is able to kill bacterial cells.

Ofloxacin - Chemical Structure

Ofloxacin is mainly used in the treatment of ocular infections, it is available in the form of pharmaceutical formulations suitable for ocular administration.

Indications

For what it uses

The use of onloxacin is indicated for the treatment of:

External eye infections, such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, dacryocystitis, meibomites and keratitis;
Pre and post-operative prophylaxis of eye surgery;
Infectious corneal ulcers of bacterial origin.

Warnings

The use of onloxacin in children under one year of age is not recommended, since, in this category of patients, the efficacy and safety of use of the anloxacin itself has not been established.

If any kind of allergic reaction occurs during treatment with ofloxacin, antibacterial therapy should be stopped and a doctor should be contacted immediately.

A great deal of caution should be used when administering oploxacin in patients at risk of developing prolongation of the QT interval (the interval of time required for ventricular myocardium to depolarize and repolarize).

Ofloxacin may cause photosensitization, therefore, during treatment with the drug, exposure to UV rays and sunlight should be avoided.

Prolonged use of ofloxacin may promote the development of superinfection with bacteria resistant to the same and fungal fungi.

Interactions

The concomitant administration of ofloxacin and other drugs that may prolong the QT interval (such as antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides and antipsychotics ) should be done with extreme caution.

In any case, it is always a good idea to inform your doctor if you are taking - or have recently been taken - drugs of any kind, including non-prescription medicines and herbal and / or homeopathic products.

Side effects

Ofloxacin can cause various types of side effects, although not all patients experience them. This is due to the different sensitivity that each individual has towards the drug. Therefore, it is not said that the undesirable effects occur all with the same intensity in each patient.

Listed below are the major side effects that may occur during ofloxacin therapy.

Cardiac disorders

Treatment with ofloxacin may cause cardiac arrhythmias and prolongation of the QT interval.

Allergic reactions

Ofloxacin therapy can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These reactions may occur with symptoms such as:

Angioedema;
Dyspnoea;
Oropharyngeal edema;
Edema of the tongue;
Anaphylactic shock.

Eye disorders

Treatment with ofloxacin may promote the onset of:

Eye irritations;
Ocular discomfort;
keratitis;
conjunctivitis;
Blurry vision;
Ocular edema;
Feeling of having a foreign body in the eye;
Increased tearing;
photophobia;
Eye dryness;
Eye pain;
Ocular and palpebral itching;
Ocular hyperemia.

Other side effects

Other side effects that may occur during treatment with ofloxacin are:

dizziness;
Nausea;
Facial edema.

Overdose

If you suspect that you have administered an overdose of ofloxacin, you need to rinse the eye with plenty of water.

In case of accidental ingestion of ofloxacin, however, it is necessary to contact the doctor immediately and go to the nearest hospital.

Action mechanism

Ofloxacin is a quinolone and, as such, exerts its antimicrobial action by inhibiting two enzymes fundamental for the bacterial cell: DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.

These enzymes are involved in the supercoiling, rewinding, cutting and welding processes of the two strands that make up the bacterial DNA.

By inhibiting the DNA gyrase and the topoisomerase IV, the oloxacin prevents the bacterial cell from accessing its genetic material and the information it contains. Therefore, all cellular activities are blocked (replication included) thus condemning the beating to certain death.

Mode of Use - Posology

Ofloxacin is available for ocular administration, in the form of eye drops and ophthalmic ointment.

During therapy with the drug, one must strictly follow the instructions given by the doctor, both as regards the amount of ofloxacin to be taken, and as regards the duration of the treatment itself.

When using eye drops, it is generally recommended to instill 1-2 drops of the drug in the eye from four to six times a day, or according to the doctor's prescription.

When using the ophthalmic ointment, instead, it is recommended to carry out an application three or four times a day, or according to medical prescription.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of onloxacin by pregnant women is not recommended due to the possible damage that the drug can cause to the fetus.

Furthermore, oloxacin can be excreted in breast milk, therefore, it is necessary to evaluate whether it is appropriate to stop breast-feeding or, instead, to stop the antibacterial therapy in the mother.

In any case, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, before taking any medicine, should always seek medical advice.