MedlinePlus Drug Information: Levofloxacin Oral

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Levofloxacin Oral

(lee voe flox' a sin)

Brand name(s): Levaquin Oral

Contents of this page:
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?	What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? In case of emergency/overdose What other information should I know?

Why is this medication prescribed?

Levofloxacin is used treat infections such as pneumonia; chronic bronchitis; and sinus, urinary tract, kidney, and skin infections. Levofloxacin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by eliminating bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

How should this medicine be used?

Levofloxacin comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once daily for 7-14 days. Treatment for some infections may take 6 weeks or longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take levofloxacin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Tablets should be taken with a full glass of water.

Continue to take levofloxacin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking levofloxacin without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking levofloxacin,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), cinoxacin (Cinobac), nalidixic acid (NegGram), or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics; anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); cancer chemotherapy agents; cimetidine (Tagamet); cisapride (Propulsid); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); medications for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone (Cordarone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), procainamide (Procanbid, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), and sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF); oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); probenecid (Benemid); sucralfate (Carafate); theophylline (Theo-Dur); thioridazine (Mellaril); and vitamins.
do not take with antacids (Mylanta, Maalox), didanosine (Videx) chewable/buffered tablets or or solution, iron or zinc supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamins that contain iron or zinc. Take these medications 2 hours before or after levofloxacin.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, convulsions, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or history of stroke.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking levofloxacin, call your doctor immediately.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking levofloxacin.
you should know that this drug may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or work on dangerous machines until you know how levofloxacin will affect you.
plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Levofloxacin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Keep in mind that it causes increased or decreased blood sugar in patients taking antidiabetes medications or insulin. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is advised. If you experience a significant drop in blood glucose, stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Levofloxacin can be taken with or without food. If an upset stomach occurs, take with food. Drink at least eight full glasses of water or other liquid every day.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from levofloxacin are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

upset stomach
diarrhea
vomiting
stomach pain
headache
restlessness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

skin rash
itching
hives
difficulty breathing or swallowing
swelling of the face or throat
yellowing of the skin or eyes
dark urine
pale or dark stools
blood in urine
pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeats

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Keep away from light. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to levofloxacin.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the levofloxacin, call your doctor.

Last Revised - 01/01/2003

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. Disclaimer