Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: LEVOFLOXACIN (lee-voe-FLOX-a-sin)
This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic used for treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure. This medicine is not effective for treating fungal infections or viral infections (such as the common cold).
WARNING: This medicine 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 over 60 years old, 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, or shoulder). Problems may occur while you take this medicine 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 this medicine or within several months after you stop taking it. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking cisapride or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking antiarrhythmics, arsenic, astemizole, dofetilide, droperidol, haloperidol, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), methadone, paliperidone, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, ranolazine, serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), telithromycin, terfenadine, ziprasidone, insulin, oral diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), theophylline, or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including stomach infection, brain or nervous system problems, muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), increased pressure in the brain, Alzheimer disease, brain blood vessel problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor 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); heart attack; irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation); seizures; bone, joint, or tendon problems; rheumatoid arthritis; liver problems; kidney problems or decreased kidney function; or heart, kidney, or lung transplant. Tell your doctor if you have a family member with a history of fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation). Tell your doctor if you participate in strenuous physical work or exercise. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation, long QT syndrome) or low blood potassium levels. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine comes with a MEDICATION GUIDE approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read it carefully each time you refill this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. TAKE THIS MEDICINE BY MOUTH WITH OR WITHOUT FOOD. Drinking extra fluids while you are taking this medicine 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 this medicine. 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 this medicine 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 this medicine. Check with your doctor if you have questions. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. This medicine works best if it is taken at the same time each day. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, take this medicine for the full course of treatment. Keep taking it even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses of this medicine. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of this medicine, 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.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to any other quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin). LAB TESTS, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. This medicine may interfere with certain LAB TESTS. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine 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. 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. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE YOU TO BECOME SUNBURNED MORE EASILY. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. 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 this medicine, talk with your doctor. This medicine may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine 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). This medicine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially joint and tendon problems. FOR WOMEN: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. This medicine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. DIABETES PATIENTS: This medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; gas; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; or stomach pain. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody or tarry stools; chest pain; decreased or painful urination; 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, lightheadedness, tiredness, or weakness; severe or persistent stomach pain/cramps; shortness of breath; 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; decreased sensation of touch; 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; or wheezing. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; or unusual hoarseness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets.
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