Levaquin (Levofloxacin)

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is an antibiotic that belongs to the third generation of fluoroquinolones. It is an extremely potent antibiotic that combats many types of bacteria. Many bacterial infections can be treated with levofloxacin, but the most common ones are urinary tract infections, skin infections, bronchitis (inflammation of the lung passages), and acute pneumonia (infection of the lung). An infection caused by bacteria that grows within the body is known as a bacterial infection. It can swiftly target multiple body parts at once.

Levaquin Information :

Levofloxacin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. This drug is a member of the quinolone antibiotics class of medications. It functions by halting bacterial growth.Only bacterial infections are treated by this antibiotic. For viral infections, like the flu or the common cold, it is ineffective. Any antibiotic that is used unnecessarily may stop working against subsequent infections.

Use levofloxacin tablets according to your doctor’s dosage and duration recommendations. It is best taken at a set time, with or without food. Even if you feel better, avoid missing any doses and complete the entire course of treatment. Never take two doses to make up for something you forgot to take. Just take the subsequent dosage as scheduled.

Precautions & Warnings :

If you are allergic to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including delafloxacin, gemifloxacin, ofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, or if you have experienced a severe reaction to any of these antibiotics, avoid using levofloxacin. The risks of tendinitis, or swelling of the fibrous tissue connecting a bone to a muscle, and tendon rupture, or tearing of that fibrous tissue, may increase if you take levofloxacin. Notify your physician of any kidney, heart, or lung transplants you currently have or have ever had, kidney disease, epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease of the joints causing pain, swelling, and loss of function), seizures, or if you engage in regular physical activity.

Those who have myasthenia gravis, a disorder of the nervous system that results in muscle weakness, may experience severe breathing difficulties or even pass away if they take levofloxacin. Levofloxacin and dairy products should be avoided together. Levofloxacin should also not be taken in direct sunlight as this may increase phototoxicity or photosensitivity. Before taking levofloxacin, patients with epilepsy and irregular heartbeats (QT prolongation) should notify their doctor.

Side Effects :

The following is a brief summary of some of the mild side effects that oral Levofloxacin tablets may have. Consult your physician or pharmacist, or review the prescribing information for Levofloxacin oral tablet, to find out about additional mild side effects.

Levofloxacin oral tablet mild side effects that have been documented include

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Trouble sleeping

Many medications have mild side effects that usually go away in a few days or weeks. Consult your physician or pharmacist, though, if they start to cause you problems.

Interactions :

Levofloxacin shouldn’t be taken with the following medications: NSAIDs for pain relief; Cimetidine for acid reflux; Probenecid for anti-tuberculosis; Cyclosporin for immunosuppression; Macronides for antibacterial treatment; Insulin and glibenclamide for blood sugar lowering; Warfarin for blood thinners; and Phenytoin and valproate for fit prescriptions.

In cases such as enlarged intestines (colitis), weak muscles (myasthenia gravis), enlarged tendons (tendonitis), high blood sugar (diabetes), hemodialysis (kidney dialysis), kidney dysfunction, and nerve disease, levofloxacin should only be taken after a doctor’s consultation.