Levaquin (Levofloxacin)

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is an antibiotic that belongs to the group of fluoroquinolones. This drug is meant for oral and intravenous administration.

What is Levaquin used for?

Levaquin is used for combating bacterial infections of skin, kidney or bladder, in a human body. It can also cure exposure to anthrax and can help treat acute bronchitis and pneumonia.

How does Levaquin work?

Levaquin alters the DNA and assists in hindering the reproduction of bacteria. This way, bacteria does not multiply and can then be removed uninterruptedly.

How to use Levaquin

Levaquin can be taken orally, with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. However, the liquid form of this medicine must be taken on an empty stomach only, that is to say, one hour prior or two hours after the meal.

The amount of drug to be consumed should be asked from the doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions wisely. Taking Levaquin for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended may cause health problems.

Levaquin warnings and precautions

While consuming Levaquin, avoid excessive exposure to sun rays or UV light, as it can harm the skin even more. To evade this, a patient must use sunscreen or cover the skin properly.

If a patient is already suffering from an allergy to levofloxacin or various other antibiotics, then he or she is advised not to take Levaquin.

Any history regarding liver, kidney or heart diseases; joint pains or diabetes, must be told to the doctor beforehand.

Levaquin is not suggested for consumption by pregnant women, as it can lead to deformities in joints or bones. Also, nursing mothers are advised not to take it.

Patients with low levels of potassium in the blood or suffering from epilepsy should also consult their doctors before taking Levaquin.

What do I do if I have missed a Levaquin dose?

If you have missed your Levaquin dose, you should skip the missed one, and take the next regularly scheduled dose. However, it should be kept in mind that no extra dose is taken to make-up for the missed dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Levaquin overdose?

If you have taken a Levaquin overdose, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Levaquin interactions

While consuming Levaquin, one should not take other medicines that contain magnesium, aluminum, vitamin or mineral supplements. These ingredients can be found in medicines like Tums or Rolaids, Carafate, Videx, or other tablets containing zinc or iron.

No anti-inflammatory drug should be consumed alongside Levaquin, as they both may interact and cause trouble to the patient. Any medicine of blood thinners or diabetes can interact with Levaquin, and thus their consumption should be avoided concurrently.

Levaquin side effects

Levaquin side effects include diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts, depression, seizure, bruising, bleeding, dark urine, pale skin, weakness, fever and fast/pounding heartbeats. In such cases, a person should immediately consult a doctor.

Also, Levaquin can lead to impairment of thinking or can make a difference in your reactions. One must talk to his or her doctor, if any such signs are seen after consumption of this drug.

Some other signs of side effects of Levaquin are nausea, upset stomach, skin rash decreased urination, or difficulty in sleeping.

One of the common side effects seen after consuming Levaquin is joint or muscle pain, or swelling of a tendon, also called tendon rupture. Sometimes, this drug can also lead to sunburns.