Balofloxacin

Description

Balofloxacin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections of the urinary tract and lungs. It should be avoided in patients who are allergic to other fluoroquinolones. Use with caution in the elderly population as it increases the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Balofloxacin

  • Nausea
  • Heartburn
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Indigestion
  • Increased thirst
  • Abdominal pain
  • Skin rash
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite

Uses of Balofloxacin

What is it prescribed for?

  • Urinary Tract Infection
  • Pneumonia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The onset of action of this medicine is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 7 to 8 hours
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women.

Allergy

Avoid taking Balofloxacin if you have a known allergy to this medicine or any other medicines belonging to the class fluoroquinolones.

Tendinitis or tendon rupture

Avoid taking this medicine if you have a past history of tendinitis or tendon rupture after taking this medicine.

Myasthenia gravis

Avoid taking this medicine if you have a past or family history of suffering from Myasthenia Gravis (weakness and rapid fatigue of muscles under voluntary control).
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for pregnant women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for breastfeeding women.
General warnings

Tendinitis and tendon rupture

Use of Balofloxacin will increase the risk to develop tendinitis or tendon rupture during the treatment or several months after treatment. It will affect the shoulder, hand, the back of your ankle, or other parts of your body. The risk is more if you are above 60 years of age and have a history of kidney, heart, or lung transplant and joint disease. You are also at high risk if you are on corticosteroids like dexamethasone, methylprednisolone or prednisone.

Drug-resistance

Usage of Balofloxacin without sufficient proof or suspicion of a bacterial infection should be avoided. Irrational dosing might fail in providing the benefits and even cause toxicity. It may also increase the risk of development of bacteria that is drug resistant.

Pediatric use

The safety and effectiveness of Balofloxacin have not been established in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age.

Impaired liver function

Balofloxacin should be used with caution in the patients with the history of liver injury due to the increase in the risk of liver enzymes.

Impaired kidney function

Balofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with a history of kidney injury.

Missed Dose

The missed dose should be taken as soon possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it's already time for your next scheduled dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Corticosteroids

Aspirin

Antidiabetic drugs

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
The desired effect of Balofloxacin is not observed if consumed with dairy products. There should be at least 2 hours gap between taking Balofloxacin and dairy products.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Balofloxacin with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking Balofloxacin before completion of course.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Effect on sleep is not established

How it works
Balofloxacin works by inhibiting an enzyme required for a bacterial DNA to replicate.
Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

Quinolones

Schedule

Schedule H

Naik M, Nair S, Khandeparkar P. Safety and Efficacy of Balofox (Balofloxacin) in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Adults (BUTA Study) [Internet]. Medind.nic.in. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

http://medind.nic.in/ice/t12/i4/icet12i4p156.pdf

Balofloxacin [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Balofloxacin

[Internet]. Journalijar.com. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

http://www.journalijar.com/uploads/2013-10-03_144447_775.pdf

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.