levofloxacin

Pronunciation:	leev oh FLOX a sin
Brand:	Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak

Levaquin 250 mg

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oblong, pink, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 250

What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin?

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

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

Take levofloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as watery diarrhea, seizure, unusual thoughts or behavior, fast or pounding heartbeats, fainting, sudden pain or swelling near your joints, urinating less than usual, dark colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), or a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Levofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.

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

There are many other drugs that can interact with levofloxacin. 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.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Levofloxacin may interfere with bone development in a child.

What is levofloxacin?

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

Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin?

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

Before taking levofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease;
seizures or epilepsy;
diabetes;
low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Levofloxacin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Levofloxacin may interfere with bone development in a child.

How should I take levofloxacin?

Take this medication 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 levofloxacin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

You may take levofloxacin tablets with or without food.

Take levofloxacin 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 levofloxacin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your medicine, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. 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 levofloxacin?

Avoid taking the following medicines within 2 hours before or after you take levofloxacin. These other medicines can make levofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time:

antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (Tums or Rolaids);
the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
didanosine (Videx); or
vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Levofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out 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.

Levofloxacin 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.

What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin?

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
seizure (convulsions);
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
easy bruising or bleeding;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation;
feeling restless or anxious;
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 levofloxacin?

Many drugs can interact with levofloxacin. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or
heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with levofloxacin. 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 levofloxacin.

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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