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Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak, |Levaquin Leva-Pak

Levaquin Leva-Pak

Generic Name: levofloxacin (leev oh FLOX a sin)
Brand Names: Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak

What is levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Levofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.

Levofloxacin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin?

Before taking levofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome; or

• a history of head injury or brain tumor.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use levofloxacin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

How should I take levofloxacin?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Measure the liquid form of levofloxacin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

Take levofloxacin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor"s instructions.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using levofloxacin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your medicine, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Levofloxacin side effects

• seizure (convulsions);

• confusion, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there);

• a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• tremors or shaking;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

• unusual thoughts or behavior;

• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);

• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody.

Continue using levofloxacin and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• feeling restless or anxious;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;

• headache, drowsiness, dizziness;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• vaginal itching or discharge; or

• mild skin itching.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect levofloxacin?

Before taking levofloxacin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• bepridil (Vascor),

• cisapride (Propulsid);

• droperidol (Inapsine);

• methadone (Methadose);

• pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);

• insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others;

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others;

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or erythromycin (Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, E.E.S);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorder, such as pimozide (Orap), haloperidol (Haldol), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use levofloxacin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect levofloxacin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about levofloxacin written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Levofloxacin is available with a prescription under the brand name Levaquin. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Levaquin 250 mg--rectangular, pinkish, film-coated tablets

• Levaquin 500 mg--rectangular, peach-colored film-coated tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.