Norfloxacin
Norfloxacin
Norfloxacin (pronounced: nor-flox-a-sin) is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent used to treat bacterial infections. It is a type of fluoroquinolone, a class of antibiotics that inhibit the bacterial enzymes DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, which are required for bacterial DNA replication, transcription, repair, and recombination.
Etymology
The term "Norfloxacin" is derived from the words "norflox", which is a modification of the term "naphthyridone", and "acin", which is a common suffix for antibiotics. The "nor" prefix indicates a demethylated compound, which is a common chemical modification in pharmaceuticals to alter their properties.
Usage
Norfloxacin is primarily used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostatitis, and gonorrhea. It is also used for the prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in people with cirrhosis.
Side Effects
Common side effects of Norfloxacin include nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, stomach cramps, heartburn, and rectal pain. Serious side effects may include Clostridium difficile infection, tendon rupture, nerve damage, and allergic reactions.
Related Terms
- Fluoroquinolone: A class of antibiotics that Norfloxacin belongs to.
- DNA gyrase: An enzyme that Norfloxacin inhibits to prevent bacterial DNA replication.
- Topoisomerase IV: Another enzyme that Norfloxacin inhibits to prevent bacterial DNA replication.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI): A common infection that Norfloxacin is used to treat.
- Prostatitis: An inflammation of the prostate gland that Norfloxacin is used to treat.
- Gonorrhea: A sexually transmitted infection that Norfloxacin is used to treat.
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: A condition that Norfloxacin is used to prevent in people with cirrhosis.
- Cirrhosis: A chronic liver disease that can lead to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, which Norfloxacin is used to prevent.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Norfloxacin
- Wikipedia's article - Norfloxacin
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