Antibiotic (Fluoroquinolone)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Pefloxacin is an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria that cause infections in your body. It belongs to the fluoroquinolone family of antibiotics and stops bacteria from multiplying by interfering with their DNA.
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription in susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. This leads to bacterial cell death and is bactericidal.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
The usual adult dose is one 400 mg tablet taken twice daily (morning and evening). Take it with food or a glass of milk to reduce stomach upset. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Your doctor will tell you how many days to use it — usually 7 to 14 days depending on the infection. Always complete the full course even if you feel better.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Do not take two tablets at once to make up for a missed dose.
Important for antibiotics
Always complete the full course even if you feel better. Stopping early can cause the infection to return and become drug-resistant.
Always complete the full course of pefloxacin even if you feel better after a few days — stopping early can make the bacteria resistant and the infection harder to treat. Buy only from registered pharmacies, not roadside vendors or open markets, as fake antibiotics are common in Nigeria. Do not share your pefloxacin with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms — let them see a doctor for their own prescription.
Avoid taking pefloxacin with antacids or iron supplements (like blood tonics) — take them at least 2 hours apart, as they reduce the drug's effectiveness. Avoid alcohol completely while taking pefloxacin as it increases the risk of side effects. Be cautious if you are also taking theophylline (used for asthma) or blood thinners like warfarin, as pefloxacin can increase their effects.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Pefloxacin with your other drugs?
Pefloxacin is NOT safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding — it can harm the developing baby's bones and joints, and it passes into breast milk.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be very hot, so do not leave it in your car or near a window. Keep it in its original pack and away from moisture. Always keep out of reach of children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.
Dispensing Pefloxacin?
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