About Levofloxacin-
Brand Name-Levaquin,
Generic Name-Levofloxacin
Levofloxacin sold under the brand name Levaquin among others is an antibiotic medication.
It is used to treat a number of bacterial infections including acute bacterial urinary tract infections, chronic prostatitis, sinusitis, pneumonia, H. pylori, and some types of gastroenteritis
Warnings-
Quinolone antibiotics (including levofloxacin) may cause serious and possibly permanent tendon damage (such as tendonitisand tendon rupture etc), nervous system problems nerve problems in the arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy).
Tendon damage may occur during or after treatment with this medication. Stop exercising, rest, and get medical help right away if you develop joint or muscle or tendon pain or swelling. Your risk for tendon problems is greater if you are over 60 years of age if you are taking corticosteroids (such as prednisone) or if you have a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms- pain/numbness or burning or tingling or weakness in your arms or hands or legs or feet, changes in how you sense touch or pain or temperature or vibration or body position, severe or lasting headache, mental/mood changes (such as agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, depression, rare thoughts of suicide) vision changes, shaking (tremors) and seizures.
This medication may make a certain muscle condition (myasthenia gravis) worse.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medication.
Uses-
Levofloxacin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as quinolone antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold or flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.
How should take Levofloxacin?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed by doctor.
You may take levofloxacin tablets with or without food.
Take levofloxacin with water at the same time each day. Drink extra fluids to keep your kidneys working properly while taking levofloxacin.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided or use a medicine dose measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Take levofloxacin oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Levofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication.
This medicine may affect a drug screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use levofloxacin.
Do not share levofloxacin with another person.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Side Effects-
Nausea,
diarrhea,
headache,
dizziness,
lightheadedness,
trouble sleeping,
may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse then tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects including-
unusual bruising/bleeding,
signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine),
signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine).
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects including-
chest pain,
severe dizziness,
fainting,
fast/irregular heartbeat,
signs of a tear/break in the main blood vessel called the aorta (sudden/severe pain in the stomach/chest/back, cough, shortness of breath)
Precaution For Taking This Medicine-
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to levofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, gemifloxacin, and others).
Levofloxacin 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. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking levofloxacin.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had-
- tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis or other joint problems (especially in children);
- a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler's-Danlos syndrome;
- blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries;
- heart problems, high blood pressure;
- kidney disease;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- a head injury or brain tumor;
- diabetes;
- a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
- long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
- low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
You should not breast feed while using this medicine.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Interactions-
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions.
Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription or nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Levofloxacin is very similar to ofloxacin. Do not use medications containing ofloxacin while using
levofloxacin.
A product that may interact with this drug is- strontium.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as urine screening for opiates), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose-
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away.
Missed Dose-
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 8 hours of the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage-
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
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