Uses of Levofloxacin

Levofloxacin is a drug used by patients to treat infections caused by a certain set of bacteria. When taken before the infection, it can also be used to prevent or slow down anthrax infection after one is exposed to it.

Levofloxacin is one of the more popular quinolone antibiotics which means that it works by neutralizing sensitive bacteria.

Do not take the drug if:

• You are allergic to Levofloxacin, quinolone antiobiotic or any of its ingredients such as ciprofloxacin.
• You have an irregular heartbeat manifested by QT prolongation or long QY syndrome as well as minimal potassium blood levels.
• You are under cisapride or some other antiarrhtyhmics such as procainamide, sotalol, quinidine, and amiadarone.

Notify a health care provider or your doctor quickly if any of these matches your situation.

Pointer before using the drug:

You must always communicate with your health care provider regarding any medical conditions that you have as some of them may affect your medication of Levofloxacin. Here are some conditions that you must be aware of:

• Pregnancy, Breast Feeding
• Thinking about pregnancy
• Allergies
• Genetic disposition or history of heart problems, irregular heartbeat, chest pain or heart attack
• Other known heart complications such as enlarged heart or heart failure
• Sensitive conditions such as diabetes, tendon problems, kidney problems, or Alzheimer's disease
• Narrowed or hardened bloodflow, especially in the brain that may lean to increased pressure, problems in the nervous system, or seizures
• Sunburn or lengthened exposure to the sun

There are some drugs that may interact with Levofloxacin. Notify your doctor if you are taking other medicines, especially the ones on the list.

• Antiarrhythmics such as sotalol, amiodarone, procainamide and quinidine
• Arsenic, astemizolecisapride, droperidol, dofetilide, haloperidol, imidazoles (keteconazole), methadone, macrolides (erythromycin), phenothiazines (chlorpromazine), ranolazine, pimozide, serotonin receptor antagonists (dolasetron), terfenadine, telithromycin, or ziprasidone. These drugs may interact with Levofloxacin and cause increased risk of irregular heartbeat and serious heart problems.
• Diabetes medication like glyubride and insulin since you may experience an increased risk of high/low blood sugar
• Corticosteroids (prednisone) since it might increase the risk of tendon problems
• Antiocoagulants such as warafarin. This drug might increase the risk of bleeding
• NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen as well as theophylline. These drugs may cause serious side effects, including increased occurrence of seizures.
• SNRI's (Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) such as duloxetine, since the risk of these effects may increase with the intake of Levofloxacin

This is only an exhaustive list of the interactions that may happen with Levofloxacin. To be sure, talk with your doctor and ask him if Levofloxacin may interact with other medications. He must know what other medication you are taking with Levofloxacin. More importantly, do not modify your medication outside the instructions of your doctor.

Using Levofloxacin:

Only use the drug as instructed by the doctor. View the label of the medicine to know your exact dosing guidelines.

• There is an extra information leaflet available when you secure the drug. If you have questions about what is said in the leaflet, talk to a pharmacist.
• It is recommended that the patient drinks extra fluid as he drinks Levofloxacin. Ask your doctor if this is true for you or if he has any other instructions.
• Levofloxacin is taken via injection. Usually, it is administered in your doctor's office, a clinic, or hospital. But if you decide to take Levofloxacin at home, then make sure that you understand the instructions as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions closely and make sure that you talk to your doctor if you have questions on administering the drug.
• Do not use the drug if it is cloudy or discolored or if it contains particles. Also take note if the vial is damaged or cracked.
• Keep the drug as well as the paraphernalia to administer it out of children's reach. You should reuse syringes, needles, or any other material. Observe proper disposal procedures as directed by your health care provider. Follow all local rules of disposal.
• This drug works best if used at the same time everyday
• Use the drug for the full course of treatment. It is important for you not to miss a dose when taking this antibiotic. Continue using it even though you feel better after a few days.
• If you miss a dose, take the drug as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the following dosage, go back to the schedule immediately. Do not take two Levofloxacin shots at once.

Ask your doctor for any questions on how to carry out the dosage of Levofloxacin.

Things to Consider when using Levofloxacin:

• Levofloxacin causes dizziness or light-headedness. These effects may worsen when you take Levofloxacin with alcohol or other medicines. Thus, do not get into hard physical tasks if you are under the influence of the drug such as driving or manual labor. You must have a good understanding of how the drug works on your body.
• Contact your health care provider if you have cramps, pain in the stomach, diarrhea, or bloody stool. Check with your doctor first before you treat your diarrhea.
• Levofloxacin cannot treat viral infections and should not be used for such purpose.
• Be sure to use the drug for the full treatment schedule. Failing to do so may not defeat the infection and may cause the bacteria to develop immunity to Levofloxacin or other treatments. This could make the problem harder to treat.
• Long-run use or repeated intake of Levofloxacin may cause an increased risk of developing an infection. Notify your doctor if there are signs of a second infection. The doctor will modify your dosage so that he can treat your infection.
• Levofloxacin causes tendon problems, ranging from simple to severe damage. If you notice any pain or swelling in the tendons and joints, contact your health care provider right away.
• Levofloxacin may be a cause of increased sensitivity to the sun. It is best if you avoid the sun, tanning booths, or sunlamps until you are certain how your body is going to react to your medicine. If you need to be outside for a long period of time, wear a sunscreen or protective clothing.
• If you are planning to take typhoid vaccine while taking Levofloxacin, notify your health care provider. Levofloxacin may soften the effects of the vaccine.
• Levofloxacin may affect blood sugar reading. If you are a diabetes patient, monitor your blood sugar level closely. Do not modify your dosage of Levofloxacin or your diabetes medicine without the doctor's ‘go’ signal.
• Let the lab personnel know that you are under Levofloxacin medication before taking certain lab tests.
• Attend your lab tests as instructed by your doctor. These tests may include kidney function, liver function, or CBC. They are used to monitor the effects of the drug and check for some side effects.
• The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of Levofloxacin. The drug may cause more tendon problems or irregular heartbeat.
• The drug is not safe for children aged 18 years and younger since the effectiveness and the safety of the drug to children have not been confirmed. Children may also experience joint and tendon problems.
• Contact your doctor if you are pregnant. He will discuss the risk and the benefits as you take Levofloxacin while pregnant. Levofloxacin is known to pass in breast milk. Thus, you should not breast feed while you are under this medication.

Known Side Effects:

Medicines are always assumed to have the ability to cause side effects. However, many people experience no side effect or only develop minor complications. Tell your doctor if some of the minor side effects on the list bothers you.

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Gas
• Light-headedness
• Stomach Pain
• Nausea

Here are some of the severe side effects. Talk to your doctor immediately if these occur:

• Severe allergies such as rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, swelling in the mouth, lips, face, or tongue
• Bloody Stools
• Chest Pain
• Confusion
• Dark Urine
• Painful Urination
• Fainting
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Fever
• Chills
• Sore Throat
• Hallucinations
• Hoarseness
• Muscle and joint problems
• Mood swings including depression, paranoia, and anxiety
• Nightmares
• Restlessness
• Sleep trouble
• Swollen, red, and blistered skin
• Seizures
• Severe diarrhea
• Severe dizziness
• Tiredness
• Severe Sunburn
• Suicidal thoughts
• Symptoms of high/low blood sugar
• Fast breathing
• Flushing
• Vision changes
• Fainting
• Tremors
• Vaginal complication
• Yellowing of the skin

Shelf life of Levofloxacin:

The expiration date of Levofloxacin is mentioned in its blister pack. Take note that the expiration date is varied from different batches. Usually, the shelf life is two years from the time of manufacture.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.