Ofloxacin and ornidazole can be used in the management of a variety of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, and parasites. They are available in a combination pill in some regions for the convenience of patients; the drugs can also be taken independently. A medical provider may recommend this option to a patient who appears to be a good candidate for therapy on the basis of diagnosis and history. It is not advised for people who react badly to quinolone antibiotics or who have known allergies to either drug.
One common use of this drug combination is in the management of gastrointestinal infections that cause diarrhea and discomfort, including infections with amoebae and protozoans. Patients can also take it for urinary tract infections, as well as fungal infections of the oral cavity and vagina. Another application for ofloxacin and ornidazole is treatment of respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia complicated by the presence of aggressive bacteria. Courses of therapy may be relatively short in all these cases, typically between three and five days.
Some sexually transmitted infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, are also treatable with ofloxacin and ornidazole. The short course of therapy can be useful in the management of such conditions as it increases the chances that the patient will adhere to the therapy, eliminating the infectious organisms. Patients who complete their courses of drugs are less likely to experience a recurrence or contribute to the development of drug resistance that could make future infections harder to treat.
A combination of ofloxacin and ornidazole can also be used to treat Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. The medications can be used as part of a larger treatment plan that may include other drugs. They can be very effective in a short period of time, reducing the amount of time the patient needs to spend in treatment to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the disease. In addition to benefiting the patient, this helps prevent the spread of the organisms to the rest of the community.
People taking ofloxacin and ornidazole can experience side effects like increased light sensitivity and gastrointestinal discomfort. It is also possible to have severe side effects like rashes and difficulty breathing, which indicate an allergic reaction to one or both medications. If these develop, the patient should discuss them with a medical provider to determine the next step, like switching to a different drug to treat the infection.