Medications and Drugs

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Brand Names: Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak

Generic Name: levofloxacin (oral) (Pronunciation: leev oh FLOX a sin)

• What is levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• How should I take levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What happens if I overdose (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• What other drugs will affect levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?

Levofloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Levofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. Levofloxacin is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.

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

Levaquin 250 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 250

Levaquin 500 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 500

Levaquin 750 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 750

What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• confusion, hallucinations, depression, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• seizure (convulsions);
• pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, weakness;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Less serious side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
• feeling restless, anxious, or depressed;
• headache, dizziness;
• muscle pain;
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares);
• vaginal itching or discharge; or
• mild skin itching.

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin (Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to levofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), and others.

Before taking levofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, myasthenia gravis, joint problems, seizures or epilepsy, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), or a personal or family history of "Long QT syndrome."

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take levofloxacin. These other medicines can make levofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time.

Taking levofloxacin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Avoid exposure to sunlight, sun lamps, or tanning beds.

Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.

Do not share this medication with another person (especially a child), even if they have the same symptoms you have.