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Noroxin Uses
If you have certain types of bacterial infections, your healthcare provider may prescribe Noroxin. This medicine is specifically approved to treat gonorrhea, prostatitis, and urinary tract infections in adults. It works by interfering with bacteria's ability to multiply. A healthcare provider may also recommend using Noroxin off-label, such as for treating other types of bacterial infections or preventing infections from occurring.
What Is Noroxin Used For?
Noroxin® (norfloxacin) is a prescription antibiotic medication that belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones, or just "quinolones" for short. Noroxin is approved to treat the following types of infections:- Urinary tract infections (UTIs), including bladder and kidney infections
- Uncomplicated gonorrhea infections of the urethra (the tube that carriers urine out of the body in both men and women) or the cervix
- Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) in situations when it is caused by bacteria.
Noroxin is approved for treating the infections listed here only when they are caused by certain types of bacteria. Although Noroxin is considered a "broad-spectrum" antibiotic, which means it is effective against many different types of bacteria, not all bacteria will respond to it. In addition, certain parts of the country may be more likely to have bacteria that are resistant to the effects of Noroxin.
Noroxin will not treat infections caused by viruses, such as the common cold or flu. This antibiotic is particularly useful for people who are allergic to other antibiotics, including penicillin or sulfonamide.
How Does Noroxin Work?
Noroxin works by killing the bacteria that cause the infections. Specifically, Noroxin interferes with two bacterial enzymes called topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase. These enzymes are necessary for the bacteria to copy and repair DNA, which are critical steps needed for the bacteria to multiply.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD