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Levaquin

Generic Name: levofloxacin (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 works by killing sensitive bacteria in the body.

Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Levaquin may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Important information about Levaquin

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

Before taking Levaquin, 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 Levaquin 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. This medication 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 Levaquin. These other medicines can make Levaquin much less effective when taken at the same time.

There are many 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.

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

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

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

Before taking Levaquin, 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 Levaquin.

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. Levaquin 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. Levaquin may interfere with bone development in a child.

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 to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.

You may take the 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 Levaquin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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

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

Store Levaquin 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 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 (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). Levaquin 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.

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. 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 Levaquin 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 Levaquin?

Many drugs can interact with Levaquin. 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 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.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.