Lomefloxacin (loe-me-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by bacteria and used to prevent infection before surgery. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone (floor-oh-KWIN-oh-lone) antibiotic. This medicine is no longer available in the US.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Skin reaction from the sun may be less likely to occur if you take your medicine in the evening, at least 12 hours before you go out into daylight.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
• Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), cyclosporine (Sandimmune®), probenecid (Benemid®), or theophylline. Tell your doctor if you use blood thinners warfarin (Coumadin®), or steroid medicine such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®.
• Tell your doctor if you are using a heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone®), dofetilitde (Tikosyn®), quinidine (Cardioquin®), disopyramide (Norpace®), procainamide (Procanbid®), or sotalol (Betapace®).
• If you are also using antacids, multivitamins (with calcium, iron, or zinc), sucralfate (Carafate®), or didanosine (Videx®) powder or chewable/buffered tablets, take these medicines at least 4 hours before or 2 hours after you take lomefloxacin.
• Avoid caffeine (coffee, soda, chocolate) while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, heart rhythm problems, hypokalemia (low blood potassium), stroke, or a seizure disorder (such as epilepsy). Your doctor should know if you have kidney disease, liver disease, myasthenia gravis, or if you are on dialysis.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, which can cause a severe skin reaction. Even sunlight through a glass window could be dangerous. While you are using this medicine and for at least 5 days after you stop, wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Stop using the medicine and call your doctor if you have any burning, redness, swelling, blisters, rash, or itching of your skin.
• Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, or tearing of a tendon, such as in the back of your knee or ankle, in your shoulder or elbow, or in your hand or wrist. You may need to stop taking the medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Chest pain.
• Diarrhea that may contain blood.
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
• Feel lightheaded, confused or restless.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Seizures.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Unusual thoughts or behavior.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Feeling dizzy, nervous, restless, anxious, confused, or agitated.
• Headache.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation.
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088