Levofloxacin Solution

What is this medication?

LEVOFLOXACIN (lee voe FLOX a sin) treats infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to a group of medications called quinolone antibiotics. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by viruses.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Levaquin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Bone, joint, or tendon problems
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• History of irregular heartbeat or rhythm
• Low levels of potassium in the blood
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Seizures
• Tingling of the fingers or toes or other nerve disorder
• An unusual or allergic reaction to levofloxacin, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Do not take with food. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Take all of your medication as directed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medication early.

Avoid antacids, calcium, iron, and zinc products for 2 hours before and 2 hours after taking a dose of this medication.

A special MedGuide will be given to you by the pharmacist with each prescription and refill. Be sure to read this information carefully each time.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While this medication may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Pimozide
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Antacids
• Certain medications for diabetes, such as glipizide, glyburide, or insulin
• Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots, such as warfarin
• Didanosine buffered tablets or powder
• Estrogen or progestin hormones
• Multivitamins
• NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes,such as dofetilide, ziprasidone
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Sucralfate
• Theophylline

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your care team if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps, tanning beds, or tanning booths.

This medication may cause tendon problems. Tendons are the cords of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Tell your care team right away if you have pain, swelling, or stiffness while you are taking this medication or after you have stopped treatment. The risk is higher in people older than 60 years of age, those taking steroid medications, and those who have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.

This medication may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis. This can cause breathing problems. Call your care team right away if you have myasthenia gravis and have worsening symptoms while taking this medication.

This medication may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medication. Contact your care team right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. You may also notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips, or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Tell your care team if you are taking medications to treat diabetes. This medication may cause changes to blood sugar levels. Talk to your care team about how often to check your blood sugar while taking this medication. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar and how to treat it.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
• Joint, muscle, or tendon pain, swelling, or stiffness
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Seizures
• Severe diarrhea, fever
• Sudden or severe chest, back, or stomach pain
• Unusual vaginal discharge, itching, or odor

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Skin reactions on sun-exposed areas
• Trouble sleeping

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature of 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.