Introduction
Namicin is an antibiotic, used in the treatment of bacterial infections. It is also used in treating infections of the urinary tract, nose, throat, skin and soft tissues and lungs (pneumonia). It cures the infection by stopping the further growth of the causative microorganisms.
Namicin should be used in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at a fixed time. Avoid taking antacids containing aluminum or magnesium within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of this medicine, can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. You should not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Simply take the next dose as planned.
You may have a headache, dizziness, nausea, and constipation as side effects of this medicine. These are usually temporary and resolves on its own, but please consult your doctor if it bothers you or persists for a longer duration. Diarrhea may also occur as a side effect but should stop when your course is complete. Inform your doctor if it does not stop or if you find blood in your stools.
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Special care should be taken in people with kidney problems while taking this medicine.
Side effects of Namicin
Common
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
How to use Namicin
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Namicin may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Namicin works
Namicin is an antibiotic medicine to be taken by mouth. It works by stopping the action of a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This prevents the bacterial cells from dividing and repairing, thereby killing them.
What if you forget to take Namicin?
If you miss a dose of Namicin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Indication
Chronic bronchitis, Otitis media, Bacterial Conjunctivitis, Urinary tract infections, Surgical Prophylaxis, Otitis externa
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral
Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
Adult: 400 mg once daily for 10 days.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
Adult: 400 mg once daily.
Due to E. coli: For 3 successive days.
Due to K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis or S. saprophyticus: For 10 successive days.
Complicated urinary tract infections
Adult: Due to E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis or P. aeruginosa: 400 mg once daily for 14 successive days.
Prophylaxis of surgical infections
Adult: 400 mg as a single dose 1-6 hr before procedure.
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Haemodialysis: Initially, 400 mg daily. Maintenance: 200 mg daily.
CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation
10-40 Initially, 400 mg daily. Maintenance: 200 mg daily.
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to the drug or other quinolones; children <18 yr; pregnancy and lactation.
Mode of Action
Lomefloxacin promotes breakage of double-stranded DNA in susceptible organisms and inhibits DNA gyrase, which is essential in reproduction of bacterial DNA.
Precaution
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or artificial UV light. Known or suspected CNS disorders e.g. severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, epilepsy or other factors that predispose to seizures. Avoid in patients with known QT prolongation, uncorrected hypokalaemia. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Renal impairment.
Side Effect
Nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, diarrhoea; headache, dizziness, insomnia; rash, pruritus, photosensitivity; thrombocytopenia.
Potentially Fatal: Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions.
Interaction
Reduced bioavailability with sucralfate, antacids containing magnesium or aluminium, vitamin or mineral supplements containing iron. Increased serum levels with cimetidine. Potential increase in serum levels of ciclosporin. Renal elimination reduced with probenecid.
Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with class IA (quinidine, procainamide) or class III (amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents.