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Levaquin |
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What is Levaquin and why is it prescribed? Levaquin cures a variety of bacterial infections, including several types of sinus infection and pneumonia. It is also prescribed for flare-ups of chronic bronchitis, acute kidney infections, certain urinary infections, and skin infections. Levaquin is a member of the quinolone family of antibiotics. Levaquin has been known to cause dangerous allergic reactions as soon as you take the first dose. Stop taking the drug and call your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following warning signs: Skin rash, hives, or any other skin reaction, Rapid heartbeat, Difficulty swallowing or breathing, or Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. How should you take Levaquin? Follow your doctors directions for taking Levaquin. Take your complete prescription exactly as directed, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking Levaquin too soon, the infection may come back. You may take Levaquin at mealtimes or in between, but you should avoid taking it within 2 hours of the following: Aluminum or magnesium antacids (such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Gaviscon), Iron supplements (such as Ferro-Sequels or Feosol), Any multivitamin preparation containing zinc, Videx chewable tablets or pediatric powder, or The ulcer medication Carafate. Be sure to drink plenty of fluid while taking Levaquin. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store Levaquin at room temperature. Keep container tightly closed. Are there any Levaquin side effects? Levaquin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Levaquin side effects may include headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and difficulty sleeping. Less common or rare Levaquin side effects may include abdominal pain, abnormal dreams, abnormal vision, aggressiveness, agitation, anemia, angina, anxiety, asthma, bad taste, back pain, bone inflammation, blood abnormalities, blood clot, bursitis, changeable emotions, chest pain, circulatory failure, colitis, coma, confusion, coughing, decreased senses, dehydration, depression, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, disturbed sense of smell, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, exaggerated sense of well-being, fainting, fever, fungal infection, gas, general feeling of unwellness, genital infection and itching, hallucination, heart attack, heart failure, high or low blood pressure, high or low blood sugar, hives, impaired thinking, impotence, indigestion, intestinal bleeding, intestinal inflammation, involuntary muscle movement, irregular heartbeat, itching, joint inflammation and pain, kidney disorders, lack of muscle coordination, liver disorders, loss of appetite, lung inflammation, muscle pain, muscle tension, muscle weakness, nervousness, nosebleed, pancreatitis, paralysis, purple or red spots on skin, rapid or slow heartbeat, rash, ringing in the ears, seizures, skin disorders, sinus or nasal inflammation, sleep disorders, speech difficulty or disorder, sweating, swelling, swollen tongue, trembling, tendon inflammation, tremor, tumor, vaginal inflammation, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, weight loss, yeast infection, and yellowing of eyes and skin. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Levaquin? If Levaquin is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn can increase the risk of a nervous reaction to Levaquin. Also, check with your doctor before combining Levaquin with an oral diabetes drug such as Glucotrol, Micronase, or Orinase; changes in blood sugar levels could result. If you are taking the asthma drug, theophylline, or the blood-thinning drug, Coumadin, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Other quinolone antibiotics have been known to interact with these medications. Are there any special warnings about Levaquin? In rare cases, Levaquin has caused convulsions and other nervous disorders. If you develop any warning signs of a nervous reaction, ranging from restlessness and tremors to depression and hallucinations, stop taking this medication and call your doctor. Levaquin may cause dizziness or light-headedness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. Hypersensitivity to quinolone antibiotics can, in rare instances, lead to severe illnesses ranging from blood disorders to liver or kidney failure. The first sign of a developing problem is often a rash; so you should stop taking Levaquin and check with your doctor when any type of skin disorder appears. Remember, too, that an immediate allergic reaction is also a possibility. A case of diarrhea during Levaquin therapy could signal development of the potentially dangerous condition known as pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammation of the bowel. Call your doctor for treatment at the first sign of a problem. Stop taking Levaquin, avoid exercise, and call your doctor if you develop pain, inflammation, or a rupture in a tendon. Quinolone antibiotics have been known to cause tendon rupture during and after therapy. The danger of this is greater when quinolones are combined with steroid medications, especially among older adults. In rare cases, Levaquin has been known to cause heartbeat irregularities. Avoid this drug if you are taking other medications that can change the heartbeat, or if you have a condition that predisposes you to this problem, such as a weak heart, a slow heartbeat, or low potassium. If you have a kidney condition, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Your dosage may need to be lowered. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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