PATIENT INFORMATION
Before Using Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor
will make. For levofloxacin, the following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had
any unusual or allergic reaction to levofloxacin, other fluoroquinolones,
or chemically related quinolone derivatives (e.g., nalidixic acid). Also
tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances,
such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Studies have not been done in humans.
However, this medicine has been shown to cause problems with bone development
in young animals. Discuss with your doctor whether or not this medicine
should be taken during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether levofloxacin
passes into human breast milk. However, this medicine has been shown to
cause bone development problems in young animals. Discuss with your doctor
whether to breast-feed during treatment with this medicine.
Children—Caution is recommended in using levofloxacin
in children up to 18 years of age because this medicine has been shown
to cause bone development problems in young animals. However, your doctor
may choose to use this medicine if other medicines cannot be used.
Older adults—There is no specific information
comparing use of levofloxacin in the elderly with use in other age groups.
However, it has been used in older people and has not been found to cause
different side effects or other problems than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should
not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may
be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your
doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
When you are taking levofloxacin, it is especially important that your
health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Antiarrhythmic agents (medicine for abnormal heart rhythm)—Levofloxacin
may cause changes in heart rhythm when taken with these drugs
- Antidiabetic agents (medicine for sugar diabetes)—Levofloxacin may
change the effects of these drugs, which could cause problems in controlling
blood sugar
- Antacids, aluminum-, calcium-, or magnesium-containing or
- Iron supplements or
- Sucralfate (e.g., Carafate) or
- Zinc—Antacids, iron, sucralfate, or zinc may interfere with absorption
of levofloxacin into the body
- Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics—Possible increased
risk of convulsions (seizures)
Other medical problems—The presence
of other medical problems may affect the use of levofloxacin. Make sure
you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Brain or spinal cord disease, including hardening of the arteries
in the brain, or epilepsy or other seizures—Levofloxacin may increase
the chance of convulsions (seizures) occurring
- Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—Levofloxacin may cause changes
in blood sugar, which could lead to problems in controlling blood sugar
- Kidney disease—Effects may be increased because of slower removal
of levofloxacin from the body
Precautions While Using Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse,
check with your doctor.
For patients with an abnormally slow heartbeat: Levofloxacin may increase
your risk of experiencing a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
If you are taking aluminum-, calcium-, or magnesium-containing antacids,
iron supplements, sucralfate, or zinc, do not take them at the same time
that you take this medicine. It is best to take these medicines at least
2 hours before or 2 hours after taking levofloxacin. These medicines may
keep levofloxacin from working properly.
Some people who take levofloxacin may become more sensitive to sunlight
than they are normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of
time, may cause severe sunburn or skin rash, redness, itching, or discoloration.
When you begin taking this medicine:
- Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
- Wear protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses.
- Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require
a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this,
check with your health care professional.
- Do not use a sun lamp or tanning bed or booth.
If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your
doctor.
If you get a skin rash or other signs of an allergic reaction, stop taking
levofloxacin and check with your doctor.
Levofloxacin may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy,
or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you know how you react
to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that
could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert. If these reactions
are especially bothersome, check with your doctor.
Levofloxacin may cause pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon. If
you experience these symptoms in your hands, shoulders, or calves, stop
taking levofloxacin and check with your doctor right away. Refrain from
exercise until your doctor says otherwise.
For diabetic patients taking insulin or diabetes medicine by mouth: Levofloxacin
may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in some patients. Symptoms of
low blood sugar must be treated before they lead to unconsciousness (passing
out). Different people may feel different symptoms of low blood sugar.
If you experience symptoms of low blood sugar, stop taking levofloxacin
and check with your doctor right away:
- Symptoms of low blood sugar can include: Anxious feeling, behavior change similar to being drunk,
blurred vision, cold sweats, confusion, cool pale skin, difficulty in concentrating, drowsiness, excessive
hunger, headache, nausea, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, shakiness, unusual tiredness or weakness.
For patients with low potassium levels: Levofloxacin may
increase your risk of experiencing a fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
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