Zoxan 500mg (Ciprofloxacin)

Zoxan general information

What is Zoxan used for?

Zoxan tablets 500mg are an antibiotic medication used to treat severe and potentially life threatening bacterial infections, caused by a wide range of susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body. Conditions that Zoxan tablets 500mg are used for include: respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and Legionnaire's disease; urinary tract infections; sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea; infections of the genital organs, such as prostatitis; gastro-intestinal tract infections and intra-abdominal infections, like peritonitis; infections of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joints; and long lasting or recurring ear or sinus infections. Zoxan 500 is also used to prevent infection or slow bacterial growth after anthrax inhalation exposure, to treat sepsis, (septic shock caused by bacterial infection), bacteremia (bacteria in the blood circulation) and to treat infections in immunocompromised patients.

How does Zoxan work?

Zoxan tablets 500mg contain ciprofloxacin which belongs to the fluoroquinolones group of antibiotics and is a synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic with antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria including, Legionella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus Listeria and Chlamydia. Ciprofloxacin in Zoxan 500 inhibits several bacterial enzymes needed for the bacteria to replicate its DNA which kills the bacteria by blocking its growth. Zoxan tablets 500mg do not work against viruses which use a different mechanism to grow and replicate.

What does Zoxan contain?

Zoxan tablets 500mg contain the active ingredient ciprofloxacin, which is a synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic used to treat infections caused by a wide range of bacteria.

Treating bacterial infection with Zoxan

Zoxan tablets 500mg contain ciprofloxacin, a synthetic broad spectrum antibiotic that is used to treat severe and potentially life threatening bacterial infections, caused by a wide range of susceptible bacteria in various parts of the body. Conditions that Zoxan tablets 500mg are used for include: respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and Legionnaire's disease; urinary tract infections; sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea; infections of the genital organs, such as prostatitis; gastro-intestinal tract infections and intra-abdominal infections, like peritonitis; infections of the skin, soft tissue, bone and joints; and long lasting or recurring ear or sinus infections. Zoxan 500 is also used to prevent infection or slow bacterial growth after anthrax inhalation exposure, to treat sepsis, (septic shock caused by bacterial infection), bacteremia (bacteria in the blood circulation) and to treat infections in immunocompromised patients. Ciprofloxacin in Zoxan tablets 500mg inhibits several bacterial enzymes needed for the bacteria to replicate its DNA which kills the bacteria by blocking its growth and relieves symptoms of the bacterial infection, which include inflammation and pain.

What are the side effects of Zoxan?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Zoxan tablets 500mg include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, restlessness, rash, altered taste, arthralgia (joint pain). Very rarely taking Zoxan tablets 500mg is associated with an increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture with increased risk if you are over the age of 60 years, taking systemic steroids or have received a kidney, heart or lung transplant.

When should Zoxan not be used?

You should not use Zoxan if you:

• are allergic to ciprofloxacin or other quinolone or any other ingredients in Zoxan 500
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• are taking other medication that interacts with Zoxan tablets 500mg, including the muscle relaxant tizanidine, theophylline for asthma, anticoagulants like warfarin, probenecid for gout, glibenclamide for diabetes, didanosine for treat viral infections, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin, some NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for inflammation in arthritis, methotrexate used to treat certain types of cancers, severe psoriasis and severe rheumatoid arthritis, the antidepressant duloxetine, the antiemetic metoclopramide, sucralfate for duodenal or stomach ulcers, caffeine and methylxanthines found in some medicines and in drinks such as coffee, tea, cola.
• are taking antacids containing calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron, then you should take your Zoxan tablets 500mg either 1 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after these preparations

What medications interact with Zoxan?

Several medications interact with Zoxan 500 and should either not be taken while you are taking Zoxan or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that interact with Zoxan to increase side effects: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for inflammation in arthritis, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin
• Drugs that affect Zoxan: probenecid for gout, sucralfate for duodenal or stomach ulcers, the antiemetic metoclopramide
• Drugs that are affected by Zoxan: theophylline for asthma, anticoagulants like warfarin, glibenclamide for diabetes, methotrexate used to treat certain types of cancers, severe psoriasis and severe rheumatoid arthritis

How should Zoxan be taken?

You should take your Zoxan tablets 500mg with a glass of water with or without food. The dose you take and how often, depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendations, which for most infections is usually 1 tablet twice daily for 7 to 14 days, but the dose or length of time you need to take your tablets for may be increased depending on the severity of your infection and your response to treatment. You should not consume dairy products that are high in calcium (milk and yoghurt) or calcium-fortified orange juice, unless they are part of a meal as this may affect the absorption of ciprofloxacin.

How long should you take Zoxan?

You should continue to take your Zoxan tablets 500mg for as long as recommended by your doctor which is usually for up to 14 days but this depends on what you are being treated for.

Missed dose of Zoxan

If you miss a dose of Zoxan take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Zoxan be stored?

You should store your Zoxan tablets 500mg below 25°C in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight.