Levaquin

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) (lee-voe-flox-a-sin) belongs to the class of medicines known as antibiotics which are used to treat bacterial infections in different parts of the body.
Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is also used to treat anthrax, kills bacteria and prevents their growth. However, Levaquin (Levofloxacin) does not prove successful in the treatment of the common cold, flu or other virus infections.


This medication is available in three different forms:

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) Tablets may be described as a light yellowish – white crystalline powder.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) Oral Solution may be described as a clear yellow to clear greenish – yellow, multi – use, self – preserving aqueous solution.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) Injection may be described as a clear yellow to clear greenish – yellow solution.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat certain bacterial infections. This medicine is not effective for treating fungal infections or viral infections such as, the common cold.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) must be used as directed by your health care professional.
This medication is available with a patient information leaflet, but you may also ask your health care professional, nurse or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may be taken with a full glass of water (eight ounces/two hundred and forty ml) on an empty stomach or with food. Check with your health care professional or nurse for instructions to use Levaquin (Levofloxacin) as consumption of extra fluids while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Do not consume any medicines containing magnesium or aluminum such as, antacids, vitamins or minerals, Quinapril, Didanosine, Sucralfate, Bismuth subsalicylate, Iron or Zinc two hours prior or two hours after consuming this medicine.

In order for you to get cured completely and avoid relapses continue to consume Levaquin (Levofloxacin) for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. You must not miss any doses of this medication but, if you are consuming one dose daily and you do miss a dose, try and consume the missed dose if you remember, on the very same day. But, in case you skip the missed dose and forget to consume Levaquin (Levofloxacin) until the next day, do not consume a double dose of this medication.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may cause patients to experience nausea, a tingling sensation, rashes, changes in vaginal discharge, sweating, depression, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, mild headaches, an upset stomach, insomnia, sunburn – like skin reactions, shaking (body tremors) and confusion.

Sometimes, Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may also cause patients to experience hallucinations, nerve complications, body pain, numbness, a burning sensation, lightheadedness, bruising or bleeding, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a persistent sore throat, hives and changes in the amounts of urine passed.

Furthermore, Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may also cause patients to experience minor vision complications, mild chest pain, chills, fainting spells, diarrhea, seizures, changes in vision, increased hunger, breathing difficulties, white patches within the mouth, liver complications, mild abdominal pain and fatigue.

Lastly, Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may also cause patients to experience passing dark urine, Pseudomembranous colitis, dizziness, Oral Thrush, stomach cramps, Myasthenia gravis, fever, faint glimpses of blood or mucus passing through one’s stools, palpitations and an itching sensation.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) interacts with various other medications, such as, Amiodarone, Dofetilide, Ofloxacin, Theophylline, Clarithromycin, Quinidine, Procainamide, Sotalol, Erythromycin, Pimozide, Thioridazine and Ziprasidone.

Furthermore, Levaquin (Levofloxacin) interacts with various other medications, such as, Warfarin, Dexamethasone, Prednisone, Glyburide, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Ketoprofen, Insulin, potassium or sodium citrate, Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Ciprofloxacin, Isoniazid (INH), Thioridazine and Amitriptyline.

If a suspected overdose of Levaquin (Levofloxacin) has been consumed, contact your local poison control center or the emergency room immediately.

Consult your health care professional if your symptoms do not improve within a few days or if they become worse.

Do not share Levaquin (Levofloxacin) with other individuals who have not been prescribed the same medicine. Do not use this medication for other health conditions or infections which have not been mentioned by your health care professional. A different medicine may be required for different cases.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) must be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

If you miss a dose of Levaquin (Levofloxacin), take it as soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not consume a double dose of this medication.

To store this medicine:

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) must be stored at room temperature (between fifty – nine to eighty – six degrees F or between fifteen to thirty degrees C) in an air – tight container, away from heat and light.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If you have a question about whether you are allergic to Levaquin (Levofloxacin) or if a certain medicine is a fluoroquinolone, consult your health care professional or pharmacist. It is also important to only consume this medication if your health care professional has given you the go – ahead. You must keep all doctors’ appointments and make sure that you do not drive, operate machinery or take on any other tasks that could prove dangerous while you are on a course of this medication, until you are certain how you react to Levaquin (Levofloxacin). Using this medication alone, with other medicines or combined with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks. This medication may also cause you to experience an increased sensitivity towards sunlight hence; you must avoid any kind of exposure to the sun, sunlamps or tanning booths until you know how you take to this medicine. You must also use a sunscreen lotion or wear protective clothing if you need to step outside during the day for prolonged intervals of time.


Furthermore, it is important for you to consult your health care professional before you treat any kind of side effects or interactions that you may experience with non – prescription (over the – counter) medicines. While on a course of Levaquin (Levofloxacin) you must be sure to constantly maintain a reliable source of glucose, such as, glucose tablets or gel, table sugar, honey, candy, orange juice or non – diet soda so if required you may be able to quickly raise your blood sugar level. Elderly patients must exert extra caution while on a course of Levaquin (Levofloxacin) as they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Women who plan on becoming pregnant must discuss the benefits and risks with their health care professional prior to using this medicine during pregnancy. Breast – feeding mothers must exert caution as it is unknown whether this medication passes into breast milk or not.


Lastly, it is also very important for the patient to know that before consuming Levaquin (Levofloxacin) they must inform their health care professional if they have ever had a history of or are currently suffering from a brain tumor, untreated low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood, diabetes, cerebral Atherosclerosis, tendonitis, kidney diseases or peripheral neuropathy.