* Generic Name: levofloxacin
* Brand Name: Levaquin
* What is levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin,
Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* How should I take levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What happens if I overdose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin (Levaquin,
Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
* What other drugs will affect levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin
Leva-Pak)?
* Where can I get more information (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
What is levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone)
antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body.
Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin,
sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. Levofloxacin is also
used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or
pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to
anthrax.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects
that may not be reversible. Levofloxacin should be used only for
infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.
Levofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin
Leva-Pak)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction
(hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a
severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes,
skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering
and peeling).
Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of (rupture) a
tendon. Levofloxacin can also have serious effects on your nerves,
and may cause permanent nerve damage. Stop using this medicine and call
your doctor at once if you have:
* signs of tendon rupture--sudden pain, swelling, bruising,
tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping
sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive
medical care or instructions); or
* nerve symptoms--numbness, tingling, burning pain, or being more
sensitive to temperature, light touch, or the sense of your
body position.
Stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:
* severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
* fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of
breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
* the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
* confusion, hallucinations, nightmares, paranoia,
depression, thoughts about hurting yourself;
* muscle weakness, breathing problems;
* sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat,
swollen glands, mouth sores, easy bruising or bleeding;
* seizure (convulsions);
* increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in
your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your
eyes; or
* liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
* dizziness; or
* headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin
(Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon, especially if
you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had
a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
Levaquin Patient Information including How Should I Take
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin
(Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to levofloxacin or
other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin,
norfloxacin, ofloxacin, and others).
To make sure levofloxacin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have
ever had:
* tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis or other joint
problems (especially in children);
* slow heartbeats or other heart rhythm disorder (especially if you
take medication to treat it);
* long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);
* liver or kidney disease;
* epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
* a nerve disorder;
* low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
* if you use a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven)
and have "INR" or prothrombin time tests.
Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that
connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles'
tendon of the heel. This can happen during treatment or up to several
months after you stop taking levofloxacin. Tendon problems may be more
likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or
if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice. Tendon and
joint problems may be more likely in a child taking levofloxacin.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Levofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Take levofloxacin with water, at the same time each day. Drink extra
fluids to keep your kidneys working properly while taking this
medicine.
You may take levofloxacin tablets with or without food.
Take levofloxacin oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least
1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms
may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses
may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to
antibiotics. Levofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as
the flu or a common cold.
Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child),
even if they have the same symptoms you have.
This medication can cause you to have a false positive drug
screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell
the laboratory staff that you are taking levofloxacin.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle
tightly closed when not in use.
Levaquin Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Fungal Infections: Fungus Among Us
Fungal Infections Slideshow: Fungus Among Us
RxList
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Hepatitis C: Transmission, Symptoms and Treatment
Hepatitis C Slideshow Pictures
What happens if I miss a dose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if
you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new
infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your
doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you
to.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Levofloxacin can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Call your doctor if you have
severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the
sun.
What other drugs will affect levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Some medicines can make levofloxacin much less effective when taken at
the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your
levofloxacin dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take the other
medicine.
* antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox,
Mylanta, or Rolaids), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate
(Carafate);
* didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
* vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, iron,
magnesium, or zinc.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
stop using, especially:
* a diuretic or "water pill";
* theophylline;
* oral diabetes medicine;
* heart rhythm medication--amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide,
dronedarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, and others;
* medicine to treat depression or mental illness--amitriptylline,
clomipramine, desipramine, iloperidone, imipramine,
nortriptyline, and others; or
* NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen
(Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib,
diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with levofloxacin,
including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
medication guide.
Where can I get more information (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about levofloxacin.
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