U.S. Brand Names

Iquix®; Levaquin®; Quixin®

Canadian Brand Names

Levaquin®; Novo-Levofloxacin

Mexican Brand Names

Cina; Elequine; Flevox; Ovelquin; Ran-Levo; Tavanic; Voflaxin

Pharmacologic Category

Antibiotic, Quinolone; Respiratory Fluoroquinolone

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to levofloxacin or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

How does it work?

• Levofloxacin works to injure the bacteria and fight the infection.

How is it best taken?

All forms:

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

Oral:

• Take tablets with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Take liquid (solution) on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

• Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Eye:

• Make sure you have the right liquid; there are different strengths.

• For the eye only.

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.

• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.

• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.

• After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.

• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as an infusion into a vein over a period of time.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Use caution in children younger than 18 years old. Talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have low potassium levels, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Do not take dairy products, antacids, didanosine, multivitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, or sucralfate within 2 hours of this medicine.

• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

Oral:

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum, or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help. These products are available at health food stores or in some pharmacies.

• Tendons can rarely get irritated and tear.

• Severe allergic reactions can rarely occur.

Eye:

• Headache.

• Sore throat.

• Short-term discomfort after use.

• Bright lights may be irritating. Use sunglasses.

• Blurred vision. Use caution when driving or doing other tasks that require you to have clear vision.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• If you are taking a blood thinner, check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Fast heartbeat.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea, even after medicine is stopped.

• Pain in back of the ankle.

• Joint pain or swelling.

• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.

• Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 13:34:27.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:12:37.0

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