General Information and Indications:
Levofloxacin is used treat infections such as
pneumonia; chronic bronchitis; and sinus, urinary tract, kidney, and skin
infections. Levofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called
fluoroquinolones. It works by eliminating bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
Information For Users:
Levofloxacin is used treat infections such as
pneumonia; chronic bronchitis; and sinus, urinary tract, kidney, and skin
infections. Levofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called
fluoroquinolones. It works by eliminating bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.
Information For Users: ++++++++++++++
Levofloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once
daily for 7-14 days. Treatment for some infections may take 6 weeks or
longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or
pharmacist If you have any questions. Take levofloxacin exactly as directed.
Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your
health care provider.
Tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.
Continue taking levofloxacin even if you feel well. Do not discontinue
taking levofloxacin without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or
pharmacist for more information.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex),
lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin),
sparfloxacin (Zagam), cinoxacin (Cinobac), nalidixic acid (NegGram), or any
other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics; anticoagulants
('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); cancer chemotherapy agents;
cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid); cyclosporine (Neoral,
Sandimmune); medications for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone),
disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide (Procanbid,
Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); oral
steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol),
and prednisone (Deltasone); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap);
probenecid (Benemid); sucralfate (Carafate); theophylline (Theo-Dur);
thioridazine (Mellaril); and vitamins.
o do not take with antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), didanosine (Videx)
chewable/buffered tablets or or solution, iron or zinc supplements,
sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamins that contain iron or zinc. Take these
medications 2 hours before or after levofloxacin.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease,
convulsions, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or
history of stroke.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking levofloxacin, call your
doctor without delay.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking levofloxacin.
o you should know that this drug may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and
tiredness. Do not drive a car or work on dangerous machines until you know
how levofloxacin will affect you.
o plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear
protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Levofloxacin may make your
skin sensitive to sunlight.
o Keep in mind that it causes increased or decreased blood sugar in patients
taking antidiabetes medications or insulin. Careful monitoring of blood
glucose is advised. If you experience a significant drop in blood glucose,
stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of levofloxacin are not common,
they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are
severe or do not go away:
o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o vomiting
o stomach pain
o headache
o restlessness
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o skin rash
o itching
o hives (Urticaria)
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o swelling of the face or throat
o yellowing of the skin or eyes, jaundice
o dark urine
o pale or dark stools
o blood in urine
o pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
o rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeats
Brand Name(s):
o Levaquin®
o Levaquin® in Dextrose Injection Premix
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