Ofloxacin is the name for a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It belongs to the group of active substances known as fluoroquinolones.
What is ofloxacin?
Ofloxacin is an antibiotic with a bactericidal effect. It is used to treat bacterial infections such as respiratory or urinary tract infections. Ofloxacin belongs to the group of fluoroquinolones. The quinolones are also known as gyrase inhibitors and are divided into four generations in medicine. Ofloxacin belongs to the 2nd generation and is suitable for the treatment of complicated infections of the urinary tract and certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The antibiotic can also be used against bacterial eye infections. Ofloxacin was approved for use in Europe in the 1980s. In the early 1990s, it was also approved as an ophthalmic agent. In Germany, it is commercially available under the preparation names Floxal eye drops, Tarivid, Uro-Tarivid, and Gyroflox. In addition, several generics are available. Because the antibiotic is subject to prescription, it can be purchased only upon presentation of a physician’s prescription.
Pharmacologic action
Ofloxacin has the property of inhibiting two enzymes that are vital to bacteria. These are the enzymes topoisomerase II (gyrase) and topoisomerase IV. The DNA of bacteria is a molecule in the form of a rope ladder. It is twisted in the cell nucleus. This twisting is partially unraveled so that the genetic information can be read. Following this process, the DNA strand twists again, which requires the two enzymes topoisomerase II and IV. However, the antibiotic ofloxacin prevents the enzymes from doing this. As a result, the genetic information cannot be read, which ultimately leads to the death of the bacterial cell. In its bactericidal property, ofloxacin acts faster than other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin. Ofloxacin is absorbed into human blood without any problems. Afterwards, about 25 percent of the active ingredient binds to plasma proteins. If taken by mouth, the antibiotic reaches its highest level in the blood after 30 to 60 minutes. The half-life is around 5 to 7 hours. There is hardly any metabolism of the drug. It is excreted from the body primarily through the kidneys. About six hours after its intake, ofloxacin leaves the organism again.
Medical use and application
The applications of ofloxacin are varied. Among other things, it is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections, inflammation of the urinary bladder and kidneys. It is also suitable for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea. Other indications include bacterial middle ear infections, infections of the mouth and throat, inflammatory rhinitis, sinusitis, acute or chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia. In addition, the antibiotic is suitable for inflammation of soft tissues, skin infections, bone inflammation, pelvic and abdominal infections, diarrhea caused by bacteria and blood poisoning (sepsis). When the body’s defenses are reduced, ofloxacin is given to protect against infection. However, the antibiotic agent can also be applied topically in the form of eye drops or eye ointment. It is primarily used to treat superficial inflammations of the eye and its appendages. These conditions include in particular styes, chronic inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), inflammation of the eyelid margins (blepharitis) and a combination of both infections (blepharoconjunctivitis). For this purpose, in 2013, the WHO (World Health Organization) placed the ofloxacin on the list of essential medicines. Ofloxacin is used either orally in the form of tablets or as an eye ointment or eye drops. In severe cases, however, it can also be administered as an infusion to ensure a more rapid effect. The dose of the antibiotic depends on the type and extent of the infection. Individual criteria such as kidney function and the patient’s age also play an important role. For uncomplicated urinary tract infections, the patient usually receives 200 milligrams of ofloxacin divided into two single doses per day. The treatment usually lasts three days.If there is a severe infection, the sick person can also receive 400 milligrams twice a day. If there is an eye infection, the patient puts one drop of the remedy into the affected eye four times a day. Alternatively, eye ointment can be applied three times a day. The duration of therapy is no more than two weeks.
Risks and side effects
Side effects are also possible due to the use of ofloxacin. In most patients, these manifest themselves in the form of gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, which is sometimes bloody. Other side effects may include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, seizures, unsteadiness when walking, tremors, drowsiness, sleep problems, a drop in blood pressure, palpitations, itching, skin rash and confusion. Rarely, jaundice, severe liver damage, and inflammation of the liver and kidneys occur. If the patient suffers from severe side effects, a doctor must be consulted. When ofloxacin is applied to the eye, mild eye pain or eye irritation sometimes appears. If hypersensitivity to ofloxacin or other gyrase inhibitors such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin is present, the antibiotic must not be used. This also applies in the case of tendon disorders that occurred with previous use of fluoroquinolones, urinary retention and epileptic seizures. It is also not possible to use it in children and adolescents during the growth phase, as otherwise there is a risk of damage to the articular cartilage. In addition, use of the antibiotic during pregnancy and lactation should be discouraged.
