Lomefloxacin (patient information)

IMPORTANT WARNING

Lomefloxacin is no longer available in the U.S. If you are currently taking lomefloxacin, you should call your doctor to discuss switching to another treatment.

Why this medication is prescribed

Lomefloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria, such as bronchitis and urinary tract infections. It also is used to prevent urinary tract infections before surgery. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Lomefloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day for 10-14 days. Your doctor may tell you to take it in the evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take lomefloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.

Continue to take lomefloxacin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking lomefloxacin without talking to your doctor.

Special precautions

Before taking lomefloxacin:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), cinoxacin (Cinobac), nalidixic acid (NegGram), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cancer chemotherapy agents, cimetidine (Tagamet), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), phenytoin (Dilantin), probenecid (Benemid), sucralfate (Carafate), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
• do not take with antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), didanosine (Videx) chewable/buffered tablets or oral solution, or sucralfate (Carafate). Take them at least 4 hours before or 2 hours after lomefloxacin. Take iron or zinc supplements or vitamins that contain iron or zinc at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after lomefloxacin.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, epilepsy, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or a history of stroke.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking lomefloxacin, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking lomefloxacin.
• you should know that lomefloxacin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or work on dangerous machines until you know how lomefloxacin will affect you.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Lomefloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. The risk of this sensitivity is reduced if you take lomefloxacin in the evening, 12 hours before exposure to sunlight.

Special dietary instructions

Lomefloxacin may cause an upset stomach. Take lomefloxacin with food or milk. Drink at least eight full glasses of water or other liquid every day.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects

Minor side effects

Lomefloxacin may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• headache
• restlessness

Severe side effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• itching
• hives
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of the face or throat
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• dark urine
• pale or dark stools
• blood in urine
• unusual tiredness
• sunburn
• seizures or convulsions
• vaginal infection
• vision changes
• pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
• tremors
• restlessness
• lightheadedness
• confusion
• seeing visions or hearing voices that do not exist
• difficulty falling or staying asleep
• agitation
• anxiety
• nightmares

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep away from light. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to lomefloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the lomefloxacin, call your doctor.

Brand names

• Maxaquin®