From the Guidelines
Norflox (norfloxacin) should be prescribed at a dose of 400 mg taken twice daily. This dosage is supported by a study that demonstrated the efficacy of norfloxacin in treating acute pyelonephritis, where 10 days of oral norfloxacin (400 mg twice daily) resulted in lower bacterial relapse rates compared to another antibiotic regimen 1. The standard treatment duration with norfloxacin can range from 3 to 14 days, depending on the specific infection being treated.
Key Considerations
- For urinary tract infections, the usual regimen is 400 mg twice daily for 3-7 days.
- Norflox should be taken with a full glass of water, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, to ensure optimal absorption.
- Patients should avoid taking antacids, iron, zinc, or multivitamins within 2 hours of taking Norflox, as these can interfere with its absorption.
- It is crucial to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve before completion, to ensure the infection is fully cleared.
Mechanism and Side Effects
- Norflox works by inhibiting bacterial DNA gyrase, which prevents bacterial DNA replication and ultimately kills the bacteria.
- Common side effects of norfloxacin include nausea, headache, and dizziness.
- Patients should avoid excessive sun exposure during treatment due to increased photosensitivity.
Clinical Judgment
The choice of antibiotic and dosage should always be guided by local resistance patterns and susceptibility testing, especially in areas with high rates of fluoroquinolone resistance 1.
From the Research
Dose of Norfloxacin
The dose of Norfloxacin (norfloxacin) is discussed in several studies:
- A single oral dose of 400 mg was administered to patients in a study on the pharmacokinetics of norfloxacin in chronic renal failure 2.
- Norfloxacin was given at a dose of 400 mg orally twice daily for 10-21 days in a study comparing its efficacy and tolerability with ciprofloxacin in complicated urinary tract infection 3.
- The recommended dosage of norfloxacin for urinary-tract infections in adults is 400 mg orally every 12 hours, given for 7 to 10 days in uncomplicated infections and for 10 to 21 days in complicated ones 4.
- Norfloxacin was used as a comparison treatment in a study on the minimum effective dose of ciprofloxacin for acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection, with a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 7 days 5.
- The pharmacokinetic properties of norfloxacin after a 400-mg oral dose were discussed in a study on its clinical pharmacology and clinical use, with a peak serum concentration of 1.3-1.58 micrograms/ml and an elimination half-life of 3-7 hours 6.