Levaquin

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

What is Levaquin?

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

Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. It is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.

Levaquin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Levaquin

You should not use Levaquin if you are allergic to levofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take Levaquin. These other medicines can make Levaquin much less effective when taken at the same time.

Taking levofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.

Levaquin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Levaquin with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Before taking Levaquin

You should not use Levaquin if you are allergic to levofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have a heart rhythm disorder, especially if you are being treated with one of these medications: quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute), disopyramide (Norpace), bretylium (Bretylol), procainamide (Pronestyl, Procan SR), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), or sotalol (Betapace).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Levaquin. Before you take Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have:

a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
myasthenia gravis;
joint problems;
kidney or liver disease;
seizures or epilepsy;
diabetes;
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

FDA pregnancy category C: It is not known whether Levaquin is harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use ciprofloxacin without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Levofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Levaquin without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Levaquin 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. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions. Do not share Levaquin with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.

How should I take Levaquin?

Take Levaquin 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. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Levaquin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day while you are taking Levaquin.

You may take Levaquin tablets with or without food.

Take Levaquin oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

Measure liquid medicine 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 for one.

Take this medication for as many days as it has been prescribed for you even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Levaquin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include loss of balance or coordination, drooping eyelids, weakness, decreased activity, trouble breathing, sweating, tremors, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?

You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as Levaquin. Avoid taking the following medicines within 2 hours before or after you take Levaquin. These other medicines can make Levaquin much less effective when taken at the same time:

antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids);
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc.

Avoid exposure to sunlight, sunlamps, or tanning beds. Levaquin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen (SPF-15 or higher) if you must be out in the sun. Call your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

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.

Levaquin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Levaquin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;
seizure (convulsions);
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
easy bruising or bleeding;
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Less serious Levaquin side effects may include:

nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
feeling restless, anxious, or depressed;
headache, dizziness;
muscle pain;
sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares);
vaginal itching or discharge; or
mild skin itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect Levaquin?

Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you are also using any of the following drugs:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, such as glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase);
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), etodolac (Lodine), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), meloxicam (Mobic), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), piroxicam (Feldene), and others; or
an oral steroid medication such as betamethasone (Celestone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Orapred), prednisone (Meticorten, Sterapred), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Levaquin. 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 can provide more information about Levaquin.

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.
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