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| Levaquin 250 mg / 500 mg / 750 mg |
Brand Name: Levaquin
Generic Name: Levoquin, Levotas, Glevo, Levoday
Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson - Ortho-McNeil
Diseases: Infections, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea
Dosage: 250mg / 500mg / 750mg
Levaquin Levofloxacin is a 3rd-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Doctors prescribe Levaquin as an antibiotic to treat bacterial infections in many different parts of the body. It does not work for viral infections (for example, the common cold).
While patients takin Levaquin have reported a variety of minor side-effects, common with any medication, the most serious Levaquin side effect reported has been an increased risk of Achilles tendonitis among current and former patients. Several studies published in accredited medical journals have cited case studies in which individuals who have taken Levaquin have been adversely affected by levofloxacin-induced tendonopathy and tendon rupture.
Most recently in July 2008, the FDA announced plans to require a "black box" warning on all prescriptions of Levaquin after the consumer group Public Citizen sued the FDA to require the agency to add black-box warnings to all fluoroquinolone antibiotics. The warning will caution patients of the risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture associated with use of the drugs. Such ruptures most frequently involves the Achilles tendon, but can also include ruptures of the shoulder, hand, biceps, and thumbs, according to the FDA.
What is Levaquin?
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Levaquin fights bacteria in the body.
Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. It is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.
Levaquin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information about Levaquin
You should not use Levaquin if you have a history of myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to levofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and others.
Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, muscle weakness or trouble breathing, joint problems, seizures, diabetes, a history of head injury of brain tumor, a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, low levels of potassium in your blood, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.
Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take Levaquin. Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.
Before taking levofloxacin
You should not use Levaquin if you have a history of myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to levofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and others.
To make sure you can safely take Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- heart rhythm disorder, especially if you take amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);
- a history of allergic reaction to an antibiotic;
- joint problems;
- kidney or liver disease;
- seizures or epilepsy;
- a history of head injury or brain tumor;
- a condition called pseudotumor cerebri (high pressure inside the skull that may cause headaches, vision loss, or other symptoms);
- diabetes;
- muscle weakness or trouble breathing;
- low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia); or
- a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.
How should I take Levaquin?
Take Levaquin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. 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 while you are taking Levaquin. You may take Levaquin 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 this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics. Levaquin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Levaquin can cause you to have a false positive drug screening test. If you provide a urine sample for drug screening, tell the laboratory staff that you are taking Levaquin.
Store Levaquin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow the liquid medicine to freeze.
What form(s) does Levaquin come in?
Injection
Each mL of sterile, non-pyrogenic, premixed, ready-to-use solution contains levofloxacin 5 mg in 5% Dextrose (D5W). pH: 3.8 to 5.8. Solutions of hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide may have been added to adjust the pH. Preservative-free.
Tablets
250 mg
Each modified rectangular, film-coated, terra cotta pink tablet, embossed "LEVAQUIN" on one side and "250" on the other, contains levofloxacin 250 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, synthetic red iron oxide, and titanium dioxide.
500 mg
Each modified rectangular, film-coated, peach tablet, embossed "LEVAQUIN" on one side and "500" on the other, contains levofloxacin 500 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides, and titanium dioxide.
750 mg
Each modified rectangular, film-coated, white tablet, embossed "LEVAQUIN" on one side and "750" on the other, contains levofloxacin 750 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, and titanium dioxide.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. 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?
You may be taking certain other medicines that should not be taken at the same time as 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 (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
- the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
- didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
- vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
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What are other possible side effects of LEVAQUIN®?
- Liver damage can happen in people who take LEVAQUIN®. Call your healthcare professional right away if you have symptoms such as: nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, fever, weakness, abdominal pain or tenderness, itching, unusual or unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, light colored bowel movements, dark colored urine, or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
- Central nervous system side effects may occur as soon as after taking the first dose. Talk to your physician right away if you experience seizures, hallucinations, confusion, depression, anxiety, trouble sleeping, nightmares, feeling more suspicious, or other changes in mood or behavior
- Serious allergic reactions can occur even after only one dose. Stop taking LEVAQUIN® and get emergency help right away if you get any of the following symptoms of allergic reaction: hives, skin rash, trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the lips, tongue or face, throat tightness, rapid heartbeat, feel faint
- Damage to nerves in the arms, legs and hands can happen. Tell your healthcare professional right away if you feel pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
- An intestinal infection (pseudomembranous colitis) can happen with most antibiotics, and can happen during or up to 2 months after the use of antibiotics. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get watery diarrhea, diarrhea that does not go away, or bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever)
- Serious heart rhythms changes can occur in people taking LEVAQUIN®. Tell your healthcare professional right away if you have a change in heartbeat (fast or irregular), or if you faint
- Changes in blood sugar (low blood sugar levels or high blood sugar levels) can happen while taking LEVAQUIN® if you are a diabetic patient taking an oral anti-diabetes medicine such as metformin (Glucophage®, Glucophage® XR, Glumetza®, Fortamet®, Riomet®), glyburide (Micronase®, Diabeta®, Glynase®), glipizide (Glucotrol®) or insulin. Follow your healthcare professional’s instructions for monitoring your blood sugar. If you have diabetes and get low blood sugar, stop taking LEVAQUIN® and call your healthcare professional right away
- The most common side effects of LEVAQUIN® include: nausea, headache, diarrhea, constipation, and dizziness
Before purchase levaquin online, read contraindications.
Contraindications.
- Hypersensitivity to levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones and quinolones.
- Children's age.
- Pregnancy.
- Breastfeeding.
- Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogen.
Please read the LEVAQUIN® Medication Guide and discuss any questions you have with your healthcare professional.
- Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements, or if you take:
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®, Medipren®, Nuprin®), celecoxib (Celebrex®)
- Oral anti-diabetes medicine or insulin
- A blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
- A medicine to control your heart rate or rhythm, such as sotalol (Betapace®)
- An antipsychotic medicine such as risperidone (Risperdal®), aripiprazole (Abilify®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), quetapine (Seroquel®), and ziprasidone (Geodon®)
- A tricyclic antidepressant such as Elavil®, amitriptyline, nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
- A water pill (diuretic) such as furosemide (Lasix®), or hydrocholrothiazide
- A steroid
- Theophylline (such as Theo-24®, Elixophyllin®, Theochron®, Uniphyl®, Theolair®)
- Antacids or multivitamins that have magnesium or aluminum, iron, or zinc
- Sucralfate (Carfate®)
- Didanosine (Videx®)
Levaquin Issued Black Box Warning by FDA
Levaquin (levofloxacin), maufactured by Ortho-McNeil, is among a family of drugs that has been issued a "black box" warning from the FDA - the most severe warning given to medications on the market - due to an increased risk of tendon rupture and tendonitis. Levaquin Side Effects Reported to FDA . Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will require certain popular antibiotics to carry a "black box" warning on all labels alerting patients and doctors of potential tendon ruptures and tendonitis.
Use of the drug levaquin (Levofloxacin) during pregnancy and lactation.
The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding)
Antibiotic Levaquin Video
Levaquin .PDF - Levaquin (levofloxacin) Label
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