Category:

• Antibiotic

Description:

• Fluoroquinolone antibiotic

Indications:

• Lower respiratory tract infections (H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae)

• Sexually transmitted diseases (N. gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis)

• Skin infections (P. mirabilis, S. pyogenes, S. aureus)

• Urinary tract infections (Citrobacter diversus, Enterbacter aerogenes, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, P. aeruginosa)

• Prostatitis (E. coli)  

Contraindications:

• None

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• May cause photosensitivity reactions

• May cause pseudomembranous colitis

• Do not use in young children due to possible cartilage abnormalities

• May cause ophthalmologic abnormalities

• Administer on an empty stomach, DO NOT take with food

• Do not take with antacids, iron, aluminum, magnesium or zinc preparations, milk or dairy products

• May cause dizziness or lightheadedness, use caution when performing tasks

• Take each dose with a full glass of water

• Complete full course of therapy

• Not effective against syphilis

• Administer by IV infusion only over a period of not less than 60 minutes, DO NOT administer by IM, intrathecal, intraperitoneal or SQ

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Chest pain (1-3%), cough

• Bad taste in mouth

• Nausea (3-10%), anorexia

• Headache, dizziness, insomnia, restlessness

• Vaginal discharge, genital pruritis and itching

Dosage:

• Administered orally (tablets) and by IV injection

• UTIs: 

  • 200mg po q12h for 3-10 days depending on severity

• Lower resp joint infection: 

  • 400mg po q12h for 10 days

• Skin infection: 

  • 400mg po q12h for 10 days

• Prostatitis: 

  • 300mg po q12h for 6 weeks

• Epididymitis: 

  • 300mg po q12h for 10 days

• PID: 

  • 400mg po q12h for 14 days (with clindamycin or metronidazole)

• STDs:

  • acute, uncomplicated gonorrhea: 400mg single dose

  • cervicitis (C. trachomatis): 300mg q12h for 7 days

  • cervicits/urethritis (C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae): 300mg q12h for 7 days