Levofloxacin (Injection)

Introduction

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

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

Brand Name(s)

Levaquin

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to levofloxacin or to any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic (such as ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, lomefloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxacin, Avelox®, Cipro®, Floxin®, Maxaquin®, Noroxin®, Tequin®, or Trovan®). This medicine should not be used in patients who have a condition called myasthenia gravis. This medicine should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

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 one 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.
• 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 chance of having 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 (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Advil®, Aleve®, or Celebrex®).
• Avoid caffeine (coffee, soda, or chocolate) while you are using this medicine.

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), or hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood). Tell your doctor if you have nerve problems or a history of seizures, epilepsy, head injury, or stroke.
• This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, trouble with breathing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
• Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. 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. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you start having nausea or vomiting, dark urine, light-colored stools, stomach pain, or yellow eyes or skin while you are using this medicine.
• 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.
• Your tendons may be more easily injured while you are using this medicine. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor if you have pain or swelling in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, hand, or wrist. You may also need to avoid exercise or certain physical activities. Children and elderly patients (over 60 years of age) are more likely to have tendon problems. This risk of tendon problems may also increase if you have rheumatoid arthritis, are taking steroid medicines (corticosteroids), or have received an organ (such as heart, kidney, or lung) transplant.
• Tell your doctor right away if you start having 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.
• 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.
• This medicine may make you feel dizzy and lightheaded. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

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.
• Confusion or unusual thoughts or behavior.
• Dark-colored urine or pale stools.
• Diarrhea that may contain blood.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Increased hunger or thirst.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pain in your upper stomach.
• 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.
• Redness, pain, or swelling under your skin where the needle is placed.
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Severe headache.
• Unexplained fever.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Feeling nervous, restless, or anxious.
• Headache, bad dreams, or trouble sleeping.
• Mild nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, or gas.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Sores or white patches in your mouth or throat.
• Vaginal itching or discharge.

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