Norfloxacin

Information about Norfloxacin

Norfloxacin is a first generation fluoroquinolone that is typically used to treated urinary tract infections and prostatitis.

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Norfloxacin_structure

Liver safety of Norfloxacin

Norfloxacin has been linked to rare instances of acute hepatocellular injury.

Mechanism of action of Norfloxacin

Norfloxacin (nor flox' a sin) is a first generation fluoroquinolone that has been available for treatment of bacterial infections for many years, but which now has limited indications and is not commonly used. Like other fluoroquinolones, norfloxacin is active against a wide range of aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative organisms and is believed to act by inhibition of type II DNA toposiomerases (gyrases) that are required for synthesis of bacterial mRNAs (transcription) and DNA replication.

FDA approval information for Norfloxacin

Norfloxacin was first approved for use in the United States in 1986. Current indications are for urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases and prostatitis due to sensitive organisms. Norfloxacin has also been used off-label as prophylaxis against spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Norfloxacin is available as 400 mg tablets under the trade name Noroxin.

Dosage and administration for Norfloxacin

Typical doses are 400 mg every 12 hours for 3 to 10 days, but chronic therapy has been used for antibacterial prophylaxis.

Side effects of Norfloxacin

• Common side effects include gastrointestinal upset, headaches, skin rash and allergic reactions.
• Less common, but more severe side effects of norfloxacin include prolongation of the QT interval, seizures, hallucinations, tendon rupture angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions, photosensitivity and peripheral neuropathy.

List of flouroquinolones

• Ciprofloxacin
• Delafloxacin
• Gemifloxacin
• Levofloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Norfloxacin
• Ofloxacin

• Dailymed label info on Norfloxacin
• FDA Norfloxacin