What Is Norfloxacin Used For?

Norfloxacin is prescribed for treating bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, prostatitis, and gonorrhea infections of the urethra or cervix. This antibiotic works to kill bacteria by interfering with specific enzymes, which prevents the bacteria from multiplying. Some off-label uses for norfloxacin include preventing infections and treating other types of bacterial infections.

Norfloxacin Drug Information

An Overview of Uses for Norfloxacin

Norfloxacin (Noroxin^®) is a prescription antibiotic medication that belongs to a group of drugs called fluoroquinolones, or just "quinolones" for short. Norfloxacin 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.

Norfloxacin is approved for treating the infections listed only when they are caused by certain types of bacteria. Although the drug 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 norfloxacin.

Norfloxacin 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 Norfloxacin Work?

Norfloxacin works by killing the bacteria that cause the infections.

Specifically, the drug 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.

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