Levaquin Solution

L

Pronunciation: LEE-voe-FLOX-a-sin
Generic Name: Levofloxacin
Brand Name: Levaquin

Levaquin Solution is associated with an increased risk of tendon problems. These include pain, swelling, inflammation, and possible breakage of tendons. The risk of tendon problems is greater in patients who are older than 60 years, patients who take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), and in those who have received kidney, heart, or lung transplants. The Achilles tendon in the back of the foot/ankle is most often affected. However, problems may also occur in other tendons (eg, in the arm, hand, shoulder). Problems may occur while you take Levaquin Solution or up to several months after you stop taking it.

Signs of tendon problems may include pain, soreness, redness, or swelling of a tendon or joint; bruising right after an injury in a tendon area; hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a joint or tendon area; or inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms while you take Levaquin Solution or within several months after you stop taking it.

Levaquin Solution may worsen muscle weakness and breathing problems in patients with myasthenia gravis. Do not take Levaquin Solution if you have a history of myasthenia gravis.

Levaquin Solution is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Levaquin Solution is a quinolone antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Levaquin Solution if: you are allergic to any ingredient in Levaquin Solution or to any other quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin) you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation, long QT syndrome) or low blood potassium levels you have a history of myasthenia gravis you are taking cisapride or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Levaquin Solution:

Some medical conditions may interact with Levaquin Solution. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances if you have a history of severe or persistent diarrhea, skin sensitivity to the sun, diabetes, low blood potassium levels, chest pain, angina, heart problems (eg, enlarged heart, heart failure), a heart attack, irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation), or if you have a family member with a history of fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation) if you have a stomach infection, liver problems, brain or nervous system problems, muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), increased pressure in the brain, Alzheimer disease, brain blood vessel problems, or a history of seizures if you have a history of bone, joint, or tendon problems; liver problems; rheumatoid arthritis; a heart, kidney, or lung transplant; or kidney problems or decreased kidney function if you take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or participate in strenuous physical work or exercise

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Levaquin Solution. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol), arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, haloperidol, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), methadone, paliperidone, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, ranolazine, serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), telithromycin, terfenadine, or ziprasidone because the risk of serious heart problems, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased Insulin or oral diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of tendon problems may be increased Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) or theophylline because the risk of serious side effects, including seizures, may be increased Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Levaquin Solution

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Levaquin Solution may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Levaquin Solution:

Use Levaquin Solution as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Levaquin Solution comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Levaquin Solution refilled. Take Levaquin Solution by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose. Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Levaquin Solution is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. Do not take a product that has magnesium or aluminum, calcium, zinc, or iron in it within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Levaquin Solution. Examples of these products include antacids, multivitamins, quinapril, and calcium-fortified orange juice. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have a question about whether you should separate Levaquin Solution from a certain food or product. If you also take sucralfate or didanosine, do not take them within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Levaquin Solution. Check with your doctor if you have questions. Levaquin Solution works best if it is taken at the same time each day. To clear up your infection completely, take Levaquin Solution for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses of Levaquin Solution. If you miss a dose of Levaquin Solution, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Levaquin Solution.

Important safety information: Levaquin Solution may cause dizziness or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Levaquin Solution with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Mild diarrhea is common with antibiotic use. However, a more serious form of diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis) may rarely occur. This may develop while you use the antibiotic or within several months after you stop using it. Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Levaquin Solution only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold). Be sure to use Levaquin Solution for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future. Long-term or repeated use of Levaquin Solution may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this. Tell your doctor right away if you experience pain or swelling of a tendon or weakness or loss of use of a joint area. Rest the area and avoid exercise until further instruction from your doctor. Levaquin Solution may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Levaquin Solution. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. If you are scheduled to receive a typhoid vaccine while you are taking Levaquin Solution, talk with your doctor. Levaquin Solution may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine. Diabetes patients - Levaquin Solution may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine. Levaquin Solution may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Levaquin Solution. Lab tests, including liver and kidney function and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Levaquin Solution. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. Use Levaquin Solution with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects (eg, tendon problems), especially if they take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone). They may also be more sensitive to other effects (eg, irregular heartbeat, liver problems). Levaquin Solution should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially joint and tendon problems PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Levaquin Solution while you are pregnant. Levaquin Solution is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Levaquin Solution. Possible side effects of Levaquin Solution:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; light-headedness; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody or tarry stools; chest pain; decreased or painful urination; decreased sensation of touch; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, sore throat, or unusual cough; hallucinations; inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area; moderate or severe sunburn; mood or mental changes (eg, agitation, confusion, depression, nervousness, new or worsening anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness); muscle pain or weakness; new or worsening nightmares; pain, soreness, redness, swelling, weakness, or bruising of a tendon or joint area; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, or weakness; severe or persistent stomach pain or cramps; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; suicidal thoughts or actions; symptoms of high or low blood sugar (eg, dizziness; fainting; fast breathing; flushing; increased sweating; increased thirst, hunger, or urination; vision changes); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); symptoms of nerve problems (eg, changes in perception of heat or cold; unusual burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of the arms, hands, legs, or feet); tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal discharge, irritation, or odor; vision changes; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Levaquin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Levaquin Solution:

Store Levaquin Solution at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Levaquin Solution out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information: If you have any questions about Levaquin Solution, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Levaquin Solution is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Levaquin Solution. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012 Database Edition 12.1.1.002 Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. More Levaquin resources Levaquin Side Effects (in more detail) Levaquin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Drug Images Levaquin Drug Interactions Levaquin Support Group 151 Reviews for Levaquin - Add your own review/rating Compare Levaquin with other medications Anthrax Anthrax Prophylaxis Bacterial Infection Bladder Infection Bronchitis Chlamydia Infection Epididymitis, Sexually Transmitted Gonococcal Infection, Disseminated Gonococcal Infection, Uncomplicated Kidney Infections Nongonococcal Urethritis Nosocomial Pneumonia Otitis Media Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Pneumonia Prostatitis Sinusitis Skin Infection Streptococcal Infection Tuberculosis, Active Urinary Tract Infection

Levaquin Solution

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