Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin is a antibiotic (fluoroquinolone) found in 22 medicines sold in India, such as Oflox 200, Oflomac 200, Zanocin 200. Below: what it is for, how it works, how to take it, side effects, interactions and pregnancy advice.
What it is used for
Treats urine, gut, chest and some ear and eye infections.
How it works
A fluoroquinolone antibiotic, also used as ear and eye drops, often combined with ornidazole for gut infections.
How to take it
Tablets usually 200 to 400 mg twice a day. Take at evenly spaced times and finish the full course even when you feel better, unless your doctor says otherwise.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Trouble sleeping
Get medical help straight away if
- Tendon pain or swelling, especially the heel (stop and rest)
- Tingling, numbness or burning in the hands or feet
- Mood changes or confusion
- Severe diarrhoea
- Palpitations
Be careful
Can rarely damage tendons and nerves; avoid antacids at the same time.
Other medicines and interactions
Antacids, iron, zinc, calcium and milk taken at the same time block absorption; separate by at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after. Raises tendon risk with steroids. Can affect warfarin, diabetes medicines (blood sugar swings) and heart rhythm medicines.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Usually avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding unless no other antibiotic will work.
Brands of Ofloxacin (5)
Combination medicines that contain Ofloxacin (17)
Common questions
What is Ofloxacin used for?
Treats urine, gut, chest and some ear and eye infections.
How does Ofloxacin work?
A fluoroquinolone antibiotic, also used as ear and eye drops, often combined with ornidazole for gut infections.
How should I take Ofloxacin?
Tablets usually 200 to 400 mg twice a day. Take at evenly spaced times and finish the full course even when you feel better, unless your doctor says otherwise.
What are the side effects of Ofloxacin?
Common: Nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, trouble sleeping. Get help straight away for: Tendon pain or swelling, especially the heel (stop and rest), tingling, numbness or burning in the hands or feet, mood changes or confusion, severe diarrhoea, palpitations.
Does Ofloxacin interact with other medicines?
Antacids, iron, zinc, calcium and milk taken at the same time block absorption; separate by at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after. Raises tendon risk with steroids. Can affect warfarin, diabetes medicines (blood sugar swings) and heart rhythm medicines.
Is Ofloxacin safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Usually avoided in pregnancy and while breastfeeding unless no other antibiotic will work.
Does Ofloxacin need a prescription in India?
Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.
Which brands contain Ofloxacin?
Brakke, Nicoflox-O, Nor Metrogyl Plus, Normet, O2, Oflomac 200, Oflomac OZ, Oflotas OZ, Oflox 200, Oflox 400, Oflox-OZ, Olox OZ, Ordent, Orni-O, Ornof, Saril, Taxim-OF, Topcef-O 200, Zanocin 200, Zanocin OZ, Zenflox 200, Zenflox-OZ.
Sources and further reading
- Ofloxacin: NHS · MedlinePlus
NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.
Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu from standard prescribing information.
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