Enoxacin Side Effects
Applies to enoxacin: oral tablet.
Warning
Take all of the enoxacin that has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infection is completely treated.
Drink plenty of extra fluids every day while taking enoxacin.
Take enoxacin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 8 hours before or 2 hours after a dose of enoxacin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplements too close to a dose of enoxacin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking enoxacin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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seizures;
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confusion or hallucinations;
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liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal pain or discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or
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muscle or joint pain.
If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking enoxacin and talk to your doctor:
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headache, lightheadedness, or drowsiness;
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ringing in your ears; or
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increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to enoxacin: oral tablet.
General
Enoxacin therapy is generally well tolerated, and adverse effects are mild in nature. Discontinuation of therapy due to adverse effects occurs in approximately 3% of patients.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal disturbances due to enoxacin therapy may occur in up to 9% of patients. This most frequently includes nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia, dyspepsia, and diarrhea. Enoxacin therapy has resulted in pseudomembranous colitis although it has minimal effect on the anaerobic flora of the GI tract.[Ref]
Nervous system
Nervous system adverse effects occur in approximately 2% to 3% of patients. These most commonly include headache, dizziness, fatigue, nervousness, agitation, and insomnia. Seizures have also been reported in susceptible patients.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions resulting in rash and pruritus have been reported in up to 1% of patients treated with enoxacin. Photosensitivity can occur. Erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome have also been reported.[Ref]
Hepatic
Asymptomatic elevations in hepatic transaminases have been reported in less than 1% of patients treated with enoxacin. Cholestatic jaundice has been reported in one patient shortly after enoxacin administration.[Ref]
Hematologic
Hematologic abnormalities such as eosinophilia and leukopenia occur in less than 1% of enoxacin-treated patients.[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Arthralgias and myalgias occur rarely.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Tachycardia and facial flushing have been reported rarely.[Ref]
Other
Women treated with enoxacin may experience vaginal pruritus and vaginitis.[Ref]
More about enoxacin
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: quinolones and fluoroquinolones
- Breastfeeding
Related treatment guides
References
1. Jaber LA, Bailey EM, Rybak MJ. Enoxacin: a new fluoroquinolone. Clin Pharm. 1989;8:97-107.
2. Scarpazza G, Della Torre F, Scaglione F, Fraschini F. Efficacy and safety of enoxacin in the treatment of respiratory infections. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1989;9:43-7.
3. Bailey RR, Walker RJ, Lynn KL, et al. Intravenous enoxacin for the treatment of pylenephritis: pharmacokinetic and clinical study. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1988;25:223-8.
4. Bailey RR, Gorrie SI, Peddie BA, Davies PR. Double blind, randomised trial comparing single dose enoxacin and trimethoprim for treatment of bacterial cystitis. N Z Med J. 1987;100:618-9.
5. Foot M, Williams G, Want S, et al. An open study of the safety and efficacy of enoxacin in complicated urinary tract infections. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1988;21:97-103.
6. Naber KG, Sorgel F, Gutzler F, Bartosik-Wich B. In vitro activity, pharmacokinetics, clinical safety and therapeutic efficacy of enoxacin in the treatment of patients with complicated urinary tract infections. Infection. 1985;23:219-24.
7. Edlund C, Lidbeck A, Kager L, Nord CE. Comparative effects of enoxacin and norfloxacin on human colonic microflora. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1987;31:1846-8.
8. Edlund C, Lidbeck A, Kager L, Nord CE. Effect of enoxacin on colonic microflora of healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Microbiol. 1987;6:298-300.
9. Tsuei SE, Darragh AS, Brick I. Pharmacokinetics and tolerance of enoxacin in healthy volunteers administered at a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for 14 days. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1984;14:71-4.
10. Product Information. Penetrex (enoxacin). Rhone Poulenc Rorer. 2002;PROD.
11. Just PM. Overview of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Pharmacotherapy. 1993;13:s4-17.
12. Kawabe Y, Mizuno N, Sakakibara S. Photoallergic reaction caused by enoxacin. Photodermatol. 1989;6:58-60.
13. Petri H, Tronnier H. Efficacy of enoxacin in the treatment of bacterial infections of the skin with regards to photosensitization. Infection. 1986;14:s213-16.
14. Kang JS, Kim TH, Park KB, Chung BH, Youn JI. Enoxacin photosensitivity. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 1993;9:159-61.
15. Amitrano L, Gigliotti T, Guardascione MA, Ascione A. Acute cholestatic liver injury induced by enoxacin. J Hepatol. 1993;18:139-40.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.
