Levofloxacin (injection)

What is Levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone (flor-oKWIN-olone), is an antibacterial that fights bacteria within the body. Levofloxacin 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 plague.Fluoroquinolone antibacterials may cause severe or permanent side effects. Levofloxacin is only to be used for infections that cannot be treated by a safer antibiotic.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of levofloxacin.

Side effects of Levofloxacin

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 the skin (fever or sore throat with burning eyes, skin pain or blisters, or a red or purple rash that is blistering or peeling), seek emergency medical attention.Levofloxacin 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 a single dose), and low sugar, which can lead to coma.

Do not use levofloxacin if you are suffering from:

• Low blood sugar: headache; sweating; irritability; and dizziness and nausea. Rapid heart rate.
• Nerve symptoms can include tingling or burning pain in the hands, feet, arms, and legs.
• Serious mood or behaviour changes—nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
• Signs of a ruptured tendon include sudden pain, swelling, bruises, stiffness, or movement problems.

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.

Stop using levofloxacin immediately and contact your doctor if:

• Severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, watery or bleeding;
• You may experience rapid or pounding pulses, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness.
• The first sign of a skin rash, however mild,
• A seizure (convulsions);
• Muscle weakness or difficulty breathing
• Liver problems: upper stomach pain; loss of appetite; dark urine or stools; jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
• Increased pressure in the skull can cause severe headaches, ringing ears, nausea, dizziness, and vision problems.

Levofloxacin can cause a number of side effects.

• Nausea, constipation, diarrhoea;
• Dizziness;
• Headache
• Sleep problems (insomnia).

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Levofloxacin may cause severe side effects, including nerve damage, mood or behaviour changes, or tendon problems.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; agitation or confusion; paranoia or a lack of concentration or memory; thoughts of self-harm; sudden pain or problems moving your joints; or numbness or tingling.If you experience severe pain in your back, chest, or stomach, seek emergency medical attention.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to levofloxacin (or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin), do not take it.

Levofloxacin 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).

Tell your doctor about any of the following:

• Tendon problems, bone problems, or arthritis (especially in children)
• Aneurysms, hardening or narrowing of the arteries, blood circulation problems
• Heart problems High blood pressure
• A genetic disorder such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome;
• Diabetes;
• A muscle or nerve disorder such as myasthenia gravis
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Seizures or epilepsy;
• A head injury or brain tumour;
• Long-QT syndrome
• Low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia)

This medicine is not known to harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant.This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.

How to take Levofloxacin?

Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label.Injections of levofloxacin are given into the vein. Your healthcare provider may give you your first dose and teach you how to use the medicine properly.Please read and follow all instructions for use that come with your medication. If you do not understand the instructions, don't use the levofloxacin. If you have any questions, ask your pharmacist or doctor.Levofloxacin should be administered slowly over a period of at least 60 minutes.Levofloxacin can be given for up to 14 consecutive days. Some infections require treatment for up to eight weeks. Anthrax is treated for about 60 days.Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions.While taking this medication, drink extra fluids to ensure that your kidneys are working properly.Even if you feel better quickly, continue to take this medication for the entire prescribed time. You can get infections resistant to medications if you skip doses. The injection of levofloxacin will not treat a virus such as the flu or common cold.You may get false results if you use this medicine. Tell the lab staff that you are using levofloxacin.Store away from moisture, light, and heat. Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you forget to take a dose of levofloxacin injection, call your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

Do not drive or engage in any hazardous activities until you have a better understanding of how levofloxacin affects you. It is possible that you are unable to respond properly.Antibiotics can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you have bloody or watery diarrhoea before taking anti-diarrhoea medication.You may get sunburn if you take Levofloxacin. 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, itchiness, rash, or swelling, tell your doctor.

Interaction with other drug

You should tell your doctor about any medications you take, such as:

• Theophylline;
• A blood thinner (warfarin coumadin jantoven);
• A diuretic, or "water pill".
• Heart rhythm medication
• Insulin (or oral diabetes medication) (check your blood glucose regularly);
• Medicine to treat mental illness or depression
• Steroid medicine (such as prednisone);
• Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and indomethacin are all nsaids.

This list is incomplete. This list is not complete. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs, may also affect levofloxacin. This list does not include all possible interactions with other drugs.