ofloxacin
Ofloxacin is used to treat certain infections including pneumonia, and infections of the skin, bladder, reproductive organs, and prostate (a male reproductive gland). Ofloxacin may also be used to treat bronchitis and urinary tract infections but should not be used for bronchitis and some types of urinary tract infections if other treatments are available. Ofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics such as ofloxacin will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions about medication use during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking ofloxacin affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
It is not known whether ofloxacin can make it harder to become pregnant. One human study reported a higher chance of infertility in women taking ofloxacin, but a single study is not enough to draw conclusions, and that study did not look at why the women were taking ofloxacin or whether other health conditions played a role. Anyone with concerns about fertility should discuss them with their healthcare provider.
Does taking ofloxacin increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. According to the source, two studies that looked at 749 women who took ofloxacin during pregnancy did not report an increased risk of miscarriage. Individual questions about pregnancy outcomes are best discussed with a healthcare provider.
Does taking ofloxacin increase the risk of birth defects?
In every pregnancy, there is a background chance of about 3 in 100 for a birth defect. One study of 288 women who took ofloxacin in the first trimester did not report an increased risk of birth defects. There is a theoretical (unproven) concern that ofloxacin could affect fetal cartilage, based on some animal studies, but similar findings have not been reported in children exposed during pregnancy; eye or ear drops result in much lower exposure than oral use. A healthcare provider can help discuss what this means for an individual situation.
Can taking ofloxacin during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
In two studies including a total of 749 women, ofloxacin use was not associated with an increased chance of preterm birth (before 37 weeks) or low birth weight (under 2500 grams). Other potential complications should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Can taking ofloxacin during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
According to the source, no studies have been done to determine whether ofloxacin use during pregnancy could increase the chance of behavior or learning problems in the child. Anyone with questions about long-term child development after a medication exposure should talk with their healthcare provider.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking ofloxacin?
When taken by mouth, ofloxacin passes into breast milk in amounts smaller than doses that would be prescribed to children, and it is generally considered compatible with breastfeeding; eye or ear drops are expected to result in even less transfer into milk. Breastfed infants should be monitored for symptoms such as diarrhea, thrush (candidiasis), or diaper rash. There is a theoretical (unproven) concern about effects on infant cartilage, though no such harm has been reported in breastfed infants exposed to ofloxacin; decisions about breastfeeding should be made together with a healthcare provider.
Source: National Library of Medicine
ofloxacin