Norfloxacin (Noroxin)

Norfloxacin is an antibiotic from the group of drugs called fluoroquinolones (flor-oh-KWIN-oh-lones). It fights bacteria in the body. Norfloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, and prostate infections.

Therapeutic actions:
The bactericidal action of Norfloxacin results from inhibition of the enzymes topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase) and topoisomerase IV, which are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination. Norfloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterias. The fluorine atom at the 6 position increases potency against gram-negative organisms, and the piperazine moiety at the 7 position is responsible for anti-pseudomonal activity.

What is it used for?:
NOROXIN is indicated for the treatment of adults with the following infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated microorganisms:
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (including cystitis);
Complicated urinary tract infections;
Uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonorrhea;
Prostatitis.

Contraindications and cautions:
• allergy to any ingredient in Noroxin or to other fluoroquinolones (eg. levofloxacin);
• inflammation of a tendon (tendonitis) or a history of ruptured tendon caused by Noroxin or other fluoroquinolones (eg. levofloxacin);
• taking antiarrhythmic medicines (eg. amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, quinidine) or nitrofurantoin.

Side effects:
dizziness; nausea;headache; loss of appetite; diarrhea; stomach upset or cramps; vomiting.

Interactions:
• the risk of serious side effects, including irregular heartbeat and other heart problems, may be increased by antiarrhythmics (eg. amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, quinidine), cisapride, macrolide or ketolide antibiotics (eg. erythromycin, telithromycin), phenothiazines (eg. chlorpromazine), tricyclic antidepressants (eg. amitriptyline), medicines for mental or mood disorders, or medicines that may affect your heartbeat;
• the risk of side effects, such as seizures, may be increased by Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg. ibuprofen);
• the risk of tendon damage may be increased by corticosteroids (eg. prednisone);
• the risk of Noroxin 's side effects may be increased by Probenecid;
• Noroxin 's effectiveness may be decreased by nitrofurantoin;
• Noroxin may increase the risk of side effects of anticoagulants (eg. warfarin), clozapine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, ropinirole, sulfonylureas (eg. glyburide), tacrine, theophyllines, or tizanidine.