Levofloxacin (Injection)

Introduction

Levofloxacin (lee-voe-FLOX-a-sin)

Treats infections that are caused by certain kinds of bacteria. Also used to treat possible anthrax infection after exposure. Also used to treat and prevent plague. This medicine is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Brand Name(s)

Levaquin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.
• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• This medicine must be given slowly, so the needle will remain in place for at least 1 hour.
• Your doctor may give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you may be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.
• Drink extra fluids so you will pass more urine while you are using this medicine. This will keep your kidneys working well and help prevent kidney problems.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have one.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®). Using a steroid together with this medicine may increase your risk for tendon problems.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using theophylline (Theo-Dur®) or a heart rhythm medicine (such as amiodarone, disopyramide, dofetilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, Betapace®, Cardioquin®, Cordarone®, Norpace®, Procanbid®, or Tikosyn®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), diabetes medicine (such as glyburide, insulin, metformin, Actos®, Diabeta®, Glucotrol®, Glynase®, or Micronase®), or pain or arthritis medicine or NSAID (such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, heart rhythm problems (such as QT prolongation, slow heartbeat), or low blood potassium. Tell your doctor if you have nerve problems or a history of seizures, epilepsy, head injury, or stroke. Make sure your doctor knows if your child has joint problems.
• Serious skin reactions can occur. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may cause serious liver problems, including hepatitis. Check with your doctor right away if you have nausea or vomiting, dark urine or pale stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• If you have severe diarrhea, ask your doctor before taking any medicine to stop the diarrhea.It may occur 2 months or more after you stop using this medicine.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.
• Call your doctor right away if you have pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist. Your tendons may be more easily injured while you are using this medicine. The risk is higher if you are over 60 years of age, you take steroid medicines, or you have had a heart, kidney, or lung transplant.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. These may be symptoms of a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
• If you are also using insulin or other medicine for diabetes, you may need to monitor your blood sugar more often while using levofloxacin.
• This medicine may make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain or lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, or yellow eyes or skin
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Muscle weakness or joint pain
• Nervousness or restless, confusion, seeing or hearing things that are not there, or a severe headache
• Numbness, tingling, pain, burning, weakness, or loss of feeling anywhere in your body
• Pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist
• Red or dark brown urine
• Seizures or tremors
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Redness, pain, or swelling under your skin where the needle is placed

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088