Norfloxacin, Oral

Quinolone · Quinolone

Indications

Cystitis, pyelitis, cystopyelitis, pyelonephritis, specially infections caused by multiple resistant problem organisms. Typhoid/paratyphoid fever and acute gastroenteritis.

Dosage

Urinary Tract Infection: Adults: >18 yr: Uncomplicated, 400 mg every 12 hr for 3 days (K. pneumoniae, E. coli or P. mirabilis), or for 7-10 days (other organisms). Complicated UTI, 400 mg every 12 hr for 10-21 days. Acute/Chronic Prostatitis: Adults: >18 yr: 400 mg every 12 hr for 28 days. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Nausea, headache, dizziness, rash, heartburn, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea. Anorexia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, convulsions, hypersensitivity reactions, confusion, paraesthesia, haemolytic anaemia, pancreatitis, hepatitis. Photosensitivity.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Prepubertal children and growing adolescents. Precautions: History of, or predisposition to seizures, Myasthaenia gravis, G6PD deficiency, QT prolongation, hypokalaemia, bradycardia. Avoid excessive sunlight. Consider pseudomembranous colitis if diarrhoea occurs.

Interactions

Nitrofurantoin, theophylline, cyclosporin, oral anticoagulants, sucralfate, iron, zinc, antacids, probenecid, other quinolones, fenbufen, other NSAIDs.

Advice to Patient

Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, with a full glass of water. Do not take within 2 hours before or after eating, drinking milk, or taking antacids, didanosine, sucralfate or vitamins that contain iron or zinc. Inform prescriber and discontinue medication if tendon pain or inflammation or abnormal changes in motor or sensory function occur. Contact prescriber if diarrhoea remains for 3 or more days. Watery or bloody stools can occur 2 or more months after therapy and can be serious, requiring immediate treatment. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Complete full course of therapy even if you feel better. Avoid excessive sunlight.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: 30%-40% of an oral dose is absorbed. The presence of food delays absorption. Metabolism: Hepatic. Renal. Half-life elimination: 3-4 hrs. Prolonged in renal impairment. Time to peak, plasma: 1-2 hrs. Excretion: Urine (30%). Faeces (30%).

Brands with this active ingredient

• Baccidal
• Bactinor
• Ecoflaxin
• Eranor
• Flonor
• Floxin
• Fynklocin
• Lonar
• Nabiross
• Nefrolon
• Nefrox
• Noacin
• Nocin
• Norasia
• Norish

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.