Nolicin 400 mg film-coated tablets – norfloxacin for urinary tract infections and bacterial prostatitis

Nolicin 400 mg film-coated tablets contain norfloxacin, an antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone group (ATC J01MA06) that acts against a wide range of bacteria. Nolicin kills the bacteria that cause infections of the urinary system.

The medicine is used to treat urinary tract infections and bacterial prostatitis. Like other fluoroquinolones, it can cause rare but serious and sometimes long-lasting side effects (tendons, nerves, joints), so in uncomplicated cystitis it is used only when the other commonly recommended antibiotics cannot be used.

What is Nolicin used for and how should it be taken?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Nolicin used for?

According to the summary of product characteristics, norfloxacin is indicated for the treatment of:

• complicated urinary tract infections (except complicated pyelonephritis);
• complicated acute cystitis;
• uncomplicated acute cystitis – only when the other commonly recommended antibiotics cannot be used;
• bacterial prostatitis.

The doctor takes official guidance on antibiotic use into account and, where possible, tests the susceptibility of the bacteria (treatment may start before the results are available).

How is Nolicin taken and dosed?

The dose depends on the type and severity of the infection. According to the leaflet, usually:

• Less serious (uncomplicated) lower urinary tract infections, e.g. cystitis: 1 film-coated tablet (400 mg) twice daily for 3 days.
• More serious urinary tract infections: 1 film-coated tablet twice daily for 7 to 10 days.
• Bacterial prostatitis: dose and duration as decided by the doctor.

Method of administration: swallow the film-coated tablet whole with a full glass of water, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, milk or dairy products. Antacids, sucralfate, didanosine and iron or zinc products (including multivitamins and minerals) must not be taken within 2 hours after Nolicin.

Take the medicine until the end of the prescribed course, even if you feel better earlier – otherwise the infection may come back.

Special patient groups

• Children and young people who are still growing: the medicine is contraindicated.
• Older people: if kidney function is not impaired, the dose is not adjusted; the risk of tendon inflammation and rupture is higher in people over 60.
• Kidney impairment: with creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min/1.73 m², 1 tablet of 400 mg once daily is recommended.
• Diabetes: monitor blood sugar carefully – both high and low blood sugar are possible.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to norfloxacin or any other ingredient;
• pregnancy or suspected pregnancy;
• breast-feeding;
• children and young people who are still growing;
• a previous serious side effect with a quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Warnings and precautions

• A history of seizures or epilepsy; myasthenia gravis (the medicine can worsen muscle weakness).
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency – risk of anaemia.
• Prolonged QT interval (congenital or in the family), low potassium or magnesium, very slow heart rate, heart failure, previous heart attack, female sex, older age or medicines that alter the ECG.
• Aneurysm of the aorta or a large blood vessel, previous aortic dissection, or risk factors (e.g. Marfan syndrome, vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis, Behçet’s disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis). With sudden severe pain in the abdomen, chest or back go to an emergency department immediately.
• Tendon inflammation or rupture may occur within the first 48 hours and even months after treatment – the risk is higher over 60, after transplantation, with kidney problems and with corticosteroids.
• Signs of neuropathy (pain, burning, tingling, numbness or weakness) – stop the medicine and tell your doctor immediately.
• Diarrhoea, especially watery or bloody, up to two months after treatment – contact your doctor.
• The medicine contains the colouring sunset yellow FCF (E110), which may cause allergic reactions.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you take. According to the leaflet:

• take at least 2 hours after Nolicin: antacids, sucralfate, didanosine and iron or zinc products (including multivitamins and minerals);
• theophylline and caffeine (cough and cold medicines, tea, coffee, cola drinks);
• warfarin and other blood-thinning medicines;
• fenbufen and other NSAIDs; ciclosporin; probenecid; nitrofurantoin;
• clozapine, ropinirole, tizanidine, glibenclamide, cisapride;
• neuroleptics and antipsychotics; tricyclic antidepressants; some macrolide antibiotics;
• corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone) – higher risk of tendon damage;
• antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine, hydroquinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide).

Food and drink: take the medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, milk or dairy products.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Pregnancy: Nolicin must not be taken during pregnancy or if pregnancy is possible, as it may affect the baby.
• Breast-feeding: do not breast-feed during treatment – small amounts of the medicine pass into breast milk.

Driving and using machines

• Nolicin affects psychophysical abilities and may cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy, do not drive or use tools and machines.

Possible side effects

Stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately in case of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing) or an itchy rash with lumps (hives).

Other possible side effects (according to the leaflet): fast or irregular heartbeat and QT prolongation; vasculitis; Stevens-Johnson syndrome, dermatitis, skin reaction to sunlight; headache, dizziness, pins and needles, reduced sensation, seizures, tremor, confusion, Guillain-Barré syndrome; ringing in the ears and hearing loss; increased tearing and changes in vision; vaginal candidiasis; hypoglycaemic coma; taste changes, nausea, stomach cramps, digestive problems, diarrhoea, loss of appetite; inflammation of the colon, liver or pancreas; changes in white blood cell counts, easy bruising, anaemia (especially with G-6-PD deficiency); worsening of myasthenia gravis, tendon inflammation and rupture, swelling of joints and muscles, muscle twitching; reduced kidney function or kidney inflammation, painful urination; sleep problems, depression, anxiety, irritability, hallucinations, psychoses.

Very rarely, long-lasting (months or years) or permanent side effects of fluoroquinolones have been reported: tendon inflammation and rupture, joint and limb pain, difficulty walking, neuropathy, depression, fatigue, sleep and memory disorders, impaired hearing, vision, taste and smell.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: contact your doctor immediately. There is no specific antidote; symptomatic treatment is given (induced vomiting or gastric lavage, replacement of fluids and electrolytes).
• Missed dose: skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Never take a double dose.
• Stopping treatment: take the medicine until the end of the prescribed course; if you stop early, the remaining bacteria may multiply and the infection may return.

Related information

For additional care and support with urinary tract infections, see also the category Urinary infections – products in this category do not replace the medicine you have been prescribed.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substance: norfloxacin – 400 mg per film-coated tablet.
• Excipients – core: povidone K25; sodium starch glycolate (type A); microcrystalline cellulose (E460); colloidal anhydrous silica; magnesium stearate; purified water. Film: hypromellose (E464); talc (E553b); titanium dioxide (E171); sunset yellow FCF (E110); propylene glycol (E1520).
• Appearance: round, slightly biconvex orange film-coated tablets with a score line on one side.
• Pack: carton with 2 PVC/PVDC-aluminium blisters of 10 film-coated tablets (20 tablets).
• Marketing authorisation holder: Krka-Farma d.o.o. Beograd, Jurija Gagarina 26/V/II, Belgrade. Manufacturer: Krka, d.d., Novo mesto, Šmarješka cesta 6, Novo mesto, Slovenia.
• Marketing authorisation number: 515-01-03362-19-001 of 28.05.2020 (renewal).

Storage

• No special storage conditions.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date; return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is Nolicin taken for cystitis?

According to the leaflet, for less serious lower urinary tract infections (e.g. cystitis) the usual course is 1 tablet twice daily for 3 days, and for more serious infections 7 to 10 days. The exact duration is set by the doctor.

May I drink milk or eat yoghurt with Nolicin?

Not at the same time. Take the medicine at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, milk and dairy products, and take antacids and iron or zinc products (and multivitamins) at least 2 hours after it, because they reduce its absorption.

What should I do if a tendon hurts during treatment?

Stop taking the medicine, contact your doctor and rest the painful area. Tendon inflammation and rupture can occur within the first 48 hours, but also months after treatment.

What if I skip a dose?

Skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time – never take a double dose. Complete the whole course so that the infection does not start again.

Sources

• ALIMS – Package leaflet for Nolicin 400 mg film-coated tablets (PIL, Serbian)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics for Nolicin 400 mg (SmPC, Serbian)

Date sources were checked: 25.10.2026.