Cinoxacin (Oral)

Cinoxacin is used to prevent and treat infections in the urinary tract. It will not work for other types of infections or for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Cinoxacin is available only with your doctor's prescription.

If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, contact your doctor.

This medicine may cause some people to feel dizzy. Make sure you know how this medicine affects you before driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy. If this dizziness is particularly bothersome, contact your doctor.

Some people taking cinoxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight than usual. Being in sunlight, even for a short time, may lead to severe sunburn; skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration; or changes in vision. When you start taking this medicine:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
• Use a sunblock product with a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some individuals may need a product with a higher SPF, especially if they have fair skin. If you have questions about this, consult your health care professional.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction to the sun, contact your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to think about the risks against the benefits. Consider the following for this medicine:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, inform your health care professional about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

This medicine can cause bone development issues in young animals, so it is not recommended for children under 18 years old.

Geriatric

Many medicines have not been specifically studied in older adults. Therefore, it may not be clear whether they work the same way as they do in younger adults. There is no specific information on the use of cinoxacin in older adults compared to other age groups, but it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older adults than in younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In such cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but it may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Cholera Vaccine, Live
• Methotrexate

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be the best option for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Aminolevulinic Acid

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be taken around meal times or with certain foods due to possible interactions. Drinking alcohol or using tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical conditions may affect how this medicine works. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical issues you have, especially:

• Brain and spinal cord disorders
• Convulsions
• Tendinitis—Cinoxacin may worsen these conditions

• Kidney disease—Patients with kidney disease may have a higher risk of side effects.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine can also cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they might need medical attention.

Check with your doctor right away if any of the following side effects happen:

Less common

• Skin rash, itching, redness, or swelling

Rare

• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blood in urine or stools
• Dizziness
• headache
• increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Incidence unknown

• Bone pain
• lower back or side pain
• pain, inflammation, or swelling in calves, shoulders, or hands
• painful, swollen joints
• seizures

Some side effects may happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects might go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• stomach cramps
• vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Cinobac

Chemical Class: Non-Fluorinated Quinolone

Cinoxacin may be taken with food, unless you are otherwise directed by your doctor.

Do not give this medicine to infants or children under 18 years of age, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. It has been shown to cause bone development problems in young animals.

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take 4 doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 6 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For capsule dosage form: For the prevention of urinary tract infections: Adults—250 milligrams (mg) at bedtime for up to five months. Children up to 18 years of age—Use is generally not recommended because it may cause bone development problems. For the treatment of urinary tract infections: Adults—250 mg every six hours; or 500 mg every twelve hours for seven to fourteen days. Children up to 18 years of age—Use is generally not recommended because it may cause bone development problems.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.