levofloxacin (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.

What is levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. Levofloxacin is used to treat different types of bacterial infections. Levofloxacin is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of plague.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects. Levofloxacin should be used only for infections that cannot be treated with a safer antibiotic.

Levofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• tendon problems, bone problems, arthritis or other joint problems (especially in children);
• blood circulation problems, aneurysm, narrowing or hardening of the arteries;
• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• a genetic disease such as Marfan syndrome or Ehler's-Danlos syndrome;
• diabetes;
• a muscle or nerve disorder, such as myasthenia gravis;
• kidney disease;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• a head injury or brain tumor;
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member); or
• low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take levofloxacin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take levofloxacin tablets with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Levofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

This medicine may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you use levofloxacin.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin?

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, side effects on your nerves (which may cause permanent nerve damage), serious mood or behavior changes (after just one dose), or low blood sugar (which can lead to coma).

• low blood sugar --headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, or feeling anxious or shaky;
• nerve symptoms in your hands, arms, legs, or feet --numbness, weakness, tingling, burning pain;
• serious mood or behavior changes --nervousness, confusion, agitation, paranoia, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble concentrating, thoughts of suicide; or
• signs of tendon rupture --sudden pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, stiffness, movement problems, or a snapping or popping sound in any of your joints (rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions).

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild;
• muscle weakness, breathing problems;
• seizure (convulsions);
• increased pressure inside the skull --severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes; or
• liver problems --upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, constipation, diarrhea;
• headache, dizziness; or
• trouble sleeping.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect levofloxacin?

• antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Rolaids), or the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate);
• didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets; or
• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain aluminum, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• theophylline;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• heart rhythm medication;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine (check your blood sugar regularly);
• medicine to treat depression or mental illness;
• steroid medicine (such as prednisone);
• a blood thinner --warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levofloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about levofloxacin.