Levaquin is used to treat infections such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, sinus, urinary tract, kidney and skin infections. Levaquin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by eliminating bacteria that cause infections.
Levaquin is also known as Levofloxacin.
How to take Levaquin
A Levaquin tablet is taken by mouth with a full glass of water. It is usually taken once daily for 7–14 days. Levaquin can be taken with or without food. If an upset stomach occurs, take it with food. At least eight full glasses of water or other liquid every day. Treatment for some infections may take 6 weeks or longer. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. Take Levaquin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Missed dose of Levaquin
Take the missed dose of Levaquin 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 dose of Levaquin.
Storage
Store Levaquin at room temperature in the container it came in tightly closed. Keep Levaquin and all other medications out of the reach of children.
Precautions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other antibiotics, anticoagulants such as warfarin, cancer chemotherapy agents, cimetidine, cisapride, cyclosporine, medications for irregular heartbeats such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, and sotalol, oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone); phenytoin (Dilantin); phenytoin (Dilantin); pimozide (Orap); probenecid (Benemid); sucralfate (Carafate); theophylline (Theo-Dur); thioridazine (Mellaril); and all vitamins.
Before you buy levaquin, 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), Azulfidine (Sulfasalazine) or any other drugs.
Do not take Levaquin with antacids, didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or solutions, iron or zinc supplements, sucralfate, or vitamins that contain iron or zinc. Take these medications 2 hours before or after Levaquin.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, convulsions, colitis, stomach problems, vision problems, heart disease, or a 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.
Levaquin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and tiredness. Do not drive a car or work on dangerous machines until you know how Levaquin will affect you.
Keep in mind that it causes increased or decreased blood sugar in patients taking anti-diabetic medications or insulin. Careful monitoring of blood glucose is advised. If you experience a significant drop in blood glucose, stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor.
Avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight because levaquin may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Side effects
Although side effects from Levaquin are not common, they can occur. Some of the side effects that may occur include upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, headache, and restlessness. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
Some other side effects include 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; and rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeats. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.