Cinoxacin (patient information)
IMPORTANT WARNING
Cinoxacin is no longer available in the U.S. If you are currently taking cinoxacin, you should call your doctor to discuss switching to another treatment.
Why this medication is prescribed
Cinoxacin is used to treat and prevent infections of the urinary tract.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How this medication should be used
Cinoxacin comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken one to four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take cinoxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Cinoxacin must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses, even if you feel that you do not need them.
Special precautions
Before taking cinoxacin:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cinoxacin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), levofloxacin (Levaquin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), nalidixic acid (NegGram), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), cimetidine (Tagamet), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), didanosine (Videx), iron supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, or seizures.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking this drug, call your doctor immediately.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking cinoxacin.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Cinoxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Special dietary instructions
Cinoxacin may be taken with or without food, although it may be best to take it the same way each day. Drink plenty of fluids.
What to do if you forget a dose
If you take several doses per day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Side effects
Minor side effects
Although side effects from cinoxacin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- headache
- dizziness
Severe side effects
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- rash or sunburn
- facial swelling
- difficulty breathing
- pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Storage conditions needed for this medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Other information
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
Brand names
- Cinobac®