Levaquin

Generic name: Levofloxacin

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is a quinolone antibiotic used to treat many types of bacteria that can infect the lungs, sinuses, skin, and urinary tract in adults.

What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?

Serious and sometimes fatal allergic reactions have been reported in people taking Levaquin. If you know that you are allergic to some antibiotics, you may also be allergic to Levaquin. Talk to your doctor about all of the antibiotics to which you are allergic. Contact your doctor if your condition is not improving while taking Levaquin.

You may begin to feel better quickly; however, in order to make sure that all bacteria are killed, you should complete the full course of medication. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Levaquin even if you missed a dose by mistake. You should not take a double dose.

Sometimes viruses rather than bacteria may infect the lungs and sinuses (for example, the common cold). Levaquin like other antibiotics does not kill viruses.

Long-term or repeated use of Levaquin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.

Liver damage has been reported in patients receiving Levaquin. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, fever, weakness, abdominal pain or tenderness, itching, unusual or unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, light colored bowel movements, dark colored urine or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Pain, swelling, and tears of the Achilles, shoulder, or hand tendons have been reported in patients receiving Levaquin. The risk for tendon tears is higher if you are over 65 years old and if you are taking corticosteroids. If you develop pain, swelling, or rupture of a tendon, you should stop taking Levaquin, avoid exercise and strenuous use of the affected area, and contact your healthcare professional.

Sun sensitivity (photosensitivity), which can appear as skin eruptions or severe sunburn, can occur in some patients taking quinolone antibiotics after exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet (UV) light (eg, tanning beds). Avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial UV light while taking Levaquin. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing if out in the sun. If photosensitivity develops, contact your physician.

Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to Levaquin; this drug may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.

If you have diabetes and you develop a hypoglycemic (low sugar in the blood) reaction while on Levaquin; you should stop taking Levaquin and call your healthcare professional.

Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving quinolone antibiotics, including Levaquin. If you have experienced convulsions in the past, be sure to let your physician know that you have a history of convulsions.

Quinolones, including Levaquin,may also cause central nervous system stimulation, which may lead to tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts.

Diarrhea that usually ends after treatment is a common problem caused by antibiotics. A more serious form of diarrhea can occur during or up to 2 months after the use of antibiotics. If you develop a watery and bloody stool with or without stomach cramps and fever, contact your physician as soon as possible.

In a few people, Levaquin like some other antibiotics may produce a small effect on the heart that is seen on an electrocardiogram test. The rare heart problem is called QT prolongation and can cause an abnormal heartbeat and can be very dangerous. The chances of this event are increased in those with a family history of prolonged QT interval, low potassium, and who are taking drugs to control heart rhythm, called class IA (quinidine, procainamide) or class III (amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents. You should call your healthcare professional right away if you have any prolonged heart palpitations (a change in the way your heart beats) or a loss of consciousness (fainting spells).

Levaquin may produce false-positive urine screening results for opiates using commercially available immunoassay kits. Confirmation of positive opiate screens by more specific methods may be necessary.

Who should not take Levaquin?

Do not take Levaquin if you are allergic to the medication; any of its ingredients; or to any other quinolones, such as ciprofloxacin. Levaquin is not recommended for children. Levaquin is also not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing women.

What should I tell my doctor before I take the first dose of Levaquin?

Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Levaquin. Also, talk to your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have diabetes, liver problems, tendon problems (inflammation), Alzheimer's disease, irregular heartbeat, history of chest pain or heart attack, kidney disease, or a history of convulsions.

What is the usual dosage?

The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your doctor uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your doctor may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your doctor's approval.

Adults >18 years: Levaquin tablets or oral solution may be prescribed at 250, 500, or 750 milligrams (mg) daily. Levaquin oral solution comes in a dose of 25 mg per milliliter (mL).

The usual dose of Levaquin Injection is 250 mg or 500 mg administered by slow infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours or 750 mg administered by slow infusion over 90 minutes every 24 hours.

Anthrax Inhalation Infection

Adults and children >50 kg and >6 years: The usual dose is 500 mg taken 1 time each day for 60 days.

If the child weighs <50kg, the preferred dose is 8 mg per kilogram (not exceeding 250 mg per dose) 2 times a day for 60 days.

The safety of Levaquin use in adults for more than 28 days or in pediatric use for more than 14 days has not been studied. Therefore, prolonged Levaquin treatment should only be used when the benefit outweighs the risk.

Respiratory Tract Infection

Adults: The usual dose for bronchitis and pneumonia is 500 mg taken 1 time each day for 7 to 14 days, or 750 mg taken 1 time each day for 5 to 14 days. The usual dose for sinus infections is 500 mg taken daily for 10 to 14 days, or 750 mg taken daily for 5 days.

Skin Infection

Adults: The usual dose is 500, or 750 mg taken daily for 7 to 14 days.

Urinary Tract Infection, and Prostate and Kidney Inflammation

Adults: The usual dose for urinary tract infections is 250 mg taken daily for 3 to 10 days. Chronic prostate inflammation is treated with 500 mg taken daily for 28 days; kidney inflammation is treated with 250 mg taken daily for 10 days.

How should I take Levaquin?

Levaquin should be taken once a day for the full number of days it has been prescribed. Levaquin tablets should be swallowed and may be taken with or without food. Levaquin oral solution should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Try to take Levaquin at the same time each day, and make sure to drink a lot of fluids while you are taking Levaquin. Many antacids and multivitamins may interfere with the absorption of Levaquin. Therefore, you should take Levaquin either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking these products.

Do not use Levaquin injection if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.

You may begin to feel better quickly; however, in order to make sure that all bacteria are killed, you should complete the full course of medication. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of Levaquin even if you missed a dose by mistake. You should not take a double dose.

What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?

You should be careful about driving or operating machinery until you are sure Levaquin does not make you dizzy. Some quinolone antibiotics have been associated with a higher sensitivity to the sun or other sources of ultraviolet light, such as the artificial ultraviolet light used in tanning salons. You should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light while you are taking Levaquin. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing if out in the sun.

Do not stop taking Levaquin or alter the dose of this medication without first contacting your doctor.

Do not use Levaquin injection if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.

What are possible food and drug interactions associated with Levaquin?

If Levaquin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Levaquin with the following medications: amiodarone, antacids, antidepressants astemizole, cisapride, corticosteroids such as prednisone, didanosine, dofetilide, droperidol, haloperidol, ketoconazole, insulin or oral diabetes medicines, iron, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin, methadone, multivitamins, NSAIDs, paliperidone, phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, pimozide, procainamide, quinidine, ranolazine, sotalol, sucralfate, telithromycin, theophylline, warfarin

What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this drug.

Side effects may include: abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, gas, itching, nausea, rash, vaginal irritation in women

If you develop other serious side effects, you should let your doctor know as soon as they occur. You should stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor right away if you develop any of the following: hives, skin rash, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction, low blood sugar reaction, pain, swelling, or rupture of a tendon, pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness in general.

You may get diarrhea that ends after your treatment with Levaquin stops. However, Levaquin may also lead to a more serious type of diarrhea that can occur up to 2 months after you stop taking the medication. If you have watery or bloody stools, which may or may not be accompanied by stomach cramps and fever, call your doctor right away.

Can I receive Levaquin if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

The effects of Levaquin during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unknown. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Levaquin?

If you miss a dose of Levaquin, take it as soon as your remember. But, do not take more than the prescribed dose of Levaquin. You should not take 2 doses at once.

How should I store Levaquin?

Store Levaquin at room temperature, in a tightly closed container.