What is Levaquin?
Levaquin (pronounced flor-oKWIN-olone) is an antibiotic called a fluoroquinolone that combats bacteria within the body.Levaquin can be used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Levofloxacin can also be used to treat those who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of pestilence.The side effects of fluoroquinolone antibacterials may be severe or even disabling.Levaquin is only to be used for infections that cannot be treated by a safer antibiotic.
Warnings
Levaquin may cause serious side effects, such as tendon damage, nerve damage, or serious mood or behavioural changes.If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using this medication and contact your doctor immediately: headaches, nausea, irritability, or tingling in your hands or feet; burning pains; confusion, Increased anxiety or paranoia; issues with concentration or memory; thoughts of suicide; sudden pains or difficulties moving your joints are symptoms to look out for.If you experience severe pain in your back, chest, or stomach, seek emergency medical attention.Levaquin can cause swelling or tears in a tendon. If you experience sudden joint pain, swelling, bruising, or stiffness in any joint, stop taking levofloxacin immediately and contact your doctor.
Before you take this drug
Levaquin should not be used if you have an allergy to levofloxacin (ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, and others).Levaquin can cause swelling or tears in a tendon (the fibre that connects muscles to bones in the body). This is most common in the Achilles tendon in the heel. This can occur during treatment or even several months after stopping levofloxacin. Some people are more susceptible to tendon problems (children, older adults, or those who have used steroid medication or had a transplant).
Notify your doctor of any of the following issues:
- Tendon problems, bone problems, or arthritis (especially in children)
- Aneurysms, narrowing and hardening of arteries, blood circulation problems;
- High blood pressure and heart disease
- A genetic disorder such as Ehlers-Danlos or Marfan syndrome;
- Diabetes;
- A muscle or nerve disorder such as myasthenia gravis
- Kidney disease
- Seizures or epilepsy;
- A head injury or brain tumour;
- Long-QT syndrome
- Low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)
Do not administer this medicine to an infant without consulting a doctor.This medicine is not known to harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid taking this medicine.
Similar/related drugs
Prednisone, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin, Cephalexin, Azthromycin, and Metronidazole
How to take Levaquin?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Take time to carefully read all instructions provided on the prescription label.Schedule daily medication intake according to its label instructions. Take it at approximately the same time each day.. Take this medication with extra fluids.Levaquin can be taken with or without food.Take the levofloxacin liquid oral solution at least an hour before a meal or two hours after.Measuring liquid medicine is important. Use the provided dosing device or a dose-measuring tool (not a spoon) to measure liquid medicine.Even if you feel better quickly, continue to take this medication for the entire prescribed time. You can get an infection resistant to the medication if you skip doses. Levaquin does not treat a virus, such as the flu or a cold.Do not share Levaquin with anyone else.You may get false results if you use this medicine. Tell the lab staff that you are using levofloxacin.Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poison or seek immediate medical advice.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.Antibiotics can cause diarrhoea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhoea before taking anti-diarrhoea medication.Levofloxacin can cause sunburn. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock with an SPF of 30 or more. If you experience severe sunburn, redness, itching, or swelling, tell your doctor.
Side effects of Levaquin
If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction to your skin (fever or sore throat, pain in the eyes, or skin irritation), or if your skin has rashes that are red or purple and cause blistering or peeling, seek emergency medical attention.Levaquin may cause serious side effects, such as tendon problems, nerve side effects (which could cause permanent nerve damage), mood or behaviour changes that are severe (even after just one dose), and low blood sugar levels (which can cause a coma).
Do not take this medicine if you are currently suffering from:
- Low sugar—headaches, nausea, sweating, and irritability. Dizziness. Nausea. Rapid heart rate.
- Nerve symptoms in the hands, arms, or legs include numbness and weakness, tingling, and burning pain.
- Mood or behaviour changes that are serious: nervousness, confusion, or agitation; hallucinations; memory problems; or trouble concentrating.
- Signs of tension rupture: sudden pain, swelling, or bruising; stiffness or tenderness in the joints.
Levofloxacin can cause damage to the aorta (the main blood vessel of the body) in rare cases. If you experience severe pain or bleeding in your back, chest, or stomach, seek emergency medical attention.
If you are suffering from it, stop taking levaquin immediately and contact your doctor.
- Diarrhoea that is bloody or watery; severe stomach pain
- Heartbeats that are fluttering, shortness of breath, and dizziness (like passing out);
- The first sign of a skin rash is always a mild one.
- Muscle weakness and breathing problems
- Seizure (convulsions);
- Increased skull pressure—severe headaches, ringing ears, nausea, dizziness, and vision problems;
- Liver disorders: upper stomach discomfort, lack of appetite, dark urine, and clay coloured stools, jaundice, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Some of the more prevalent side effects may include:
- Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea;
- Headache, dizziness,
- Trouble sleeping
There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; for reporting purposes contact the fda at 1-800-fda-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Levafloxacin can be less effective if taken with certain medicines. Take your levaquin 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking any of the medicines listed below.
- Antacids that contain magnesium or aluminium (such as maalox or rolaids) or the ulcer medicine suralfate( carafate).
- Didanosine (vitex) tablets or powder
- Vitamin or mineral supplements containing aluminium, iron, magnesium, or zinc
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that levaquin will be safe for you:
- Theophylline;
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Heart rhythm medication
- Insulin, or oral diabetes medication;
- Medicine to treat mental illness or depression
- Steroid medicine (such as prednisone);
- A blood thinner warfarin coumadin jantoven
- Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (indomethacin), celecoxib (aleve), and many others.
This list is incomplete. Levofloxacin may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass all possible drug interactions.
