Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is an antibiotic which stops the growth of bacteria. This medication is
used to treat different bacterial
infections: severe or life-threatening bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea
and skin infections. Levofloxacin is also
used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of plague. But Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
will not work for viral infections (cold, flu). Be careful: if you use
antibiotic when it is not needed it can
be useless in treating of future
infections.
Indication for use
Levaquin (Levofloxacin) can be
taken by almost all adults who have:
·
pneumonia;
·
uncomplicated and
complicated urinary tract infections(including pyelonephritis);
·
chronic bacterial
prostatitis;
·
infections of the
skin and soft tissues;
·
tuberculosis;
·
acute sinusitis;
·
exacerbation of
chronic bronchitis.
Precautions
Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is not
recommended to use if you have: an allergy to Levofloxacin;
intolerance to active / auxiliary components; epilepsy; children and adolescents under 18 years of age (due to
incomplete skeletal growth, since the risk of damage to cartilaginous growth
points cannot be completely excluded); period of breastfeeding.
In case of pregnancy
you have to consult with your doctor.
Dose and usage
Levaquin (Levofloxacin) can be of different doses:
250mg – elongated red
tablet, 500mg – elongated peach tablet,
750mg – elongated white tablet.
There is also Levaquin (Levofloxacin) solution and
eye drops.
Before taking this
medication consult with your attending physician.
The standard dose for
adults is
In case of community-acquired
and nosocomial pneumonia – 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days or 750 mg once daily
for 5 days.
In case of acute bacterial sinusitis
– 500 mg once daily for 10-14 days or 750 mg once daily for 5 days
In case of acute bacterial
exacerbation of chronic bronchitis 500 mg once daily for 7 days.
In case of skin/skin structure
infections: Uncomplicated- 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days. Complicated – 750 mg once
daily for 7-14 days.
In case of chronic bacterial prostatitis
– 500 mg once daily for 28 days.
In case of complicated urinary
tract infections and acute pyelonephritis – 250 mg once daily for 10 days or
750 mg once daily for 5 days.
In case of uncomplicated urinary
tract infections
250 mg once daily for 3 days.
In case of acne vulgaris 100
mg every 8 hours for 4 weeks.
The medication should
be taken orally independently on mealtime, do not chew the tablet, drink plenty
of water.
Side effects
As any others
medications Levaquin
(Levofloxacin) can have in some
cases side effects such as: bad effect on tendons;
myasthenia gravis; hypersensitivity reactions;
action on the central nervous
system; diarrhea; skin rash or redness; nausea; vomiting; dizziness; weakness;
headache.
Tell your doctor if
you have some side effects or your condition worsens.
