Levoflox Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Levoflox Tablet contains levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that kills bacteria causing infections in the body. It is usually reserved for infections that cannot be treated with safer antibiotics because it can cause serious side effects. It is used for conditions such as pneumonia, sinusitis, bronchitis, skin infections, prostatitis, urinary tract infections, and more. Dosing depends on age and the infection being treated.

What is Levoflox Tablet

Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to a group of medicines called fluoroquinolones. It kills bacteria that cause infections in the body. It is usually reserved for infections that cannot be treated with safer antibiotics because it can cause serious side effects.

Levoflox Tablet uses

• Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia
• Community-acquired pneumonia
• Acute bacterial sinusitis
• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
• Uncomplicated and complicated skin and skin structure infections
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections
• Acute pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• Prevention and treatment of plague
• Post-exposure prevention of inhalational anthrax
• Bacterial conjunctivitis (eye infection, with ophthalmic formulation)

Benefits of Levoflox Tablet

• Kills a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria
• Can be taken once daily due to its long half-life
• Oral and intravenous forms can be used interchangeably because absorption is nearly complete
• Effective against many respiratory pathogens including penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae

How Levoflox Tablet works

Levofloxacin kills bacteria by stopping an enzyme they need to copy and repair their DNA, so the bacteria cannot grow or multiply.

Levoflox Tablet dosage

This medicine can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time each day and drink plenty of fluids. Swallow the tablet whole. Take antacids, iron, zinc, or calcium/magnesium/aluminum-containing products, or sucralfate, at least 2 hours before or after this medicine because they can reduce its absorption. Do not skip doses or stop early even if you feel better, unless your doctor tells you to or you develop certain serious side effects. Do not take more than the prescribed dose if you miss one. This medicine is not indicated for use in children under 18 years of age except for specific anthrax or plague exposure.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet (250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg)
• Oral solution
• Intravenous (IV) infusion

Side effects of Levoflox Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Rash
• Itching

Serious

• Tendon swelling or rupture
• Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) causing pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness
• Seizures and other central nervous system effects
• Serious mood or behavior changes, including suicidal thoughts
• Worsening of myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness, breathing problems)
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Liver damage (hepatotoxicity), including rare fatal cases
• Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection
• Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (severe intestinal infection)
• Prolonged QT interval and abnormal heart rhythm (torsades de pointes)
• Severe changes in blood sugar (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia), including hypoglycemic coma

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause tendon swelling or rupture, which may happen during treatment or even months after stopping. The risk is higher in people over 60, those taking steroids, and those with kidney, heart, or lung transplants.
• Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, have occurred, sometimes after just one dose.
• Seizures can occur, and caution is needed in people with brain disorders or conditions that make seizures more likely.
• This medicine can worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis and should be avoided in these patients.
• There is an increased risk of bulging or tearing of the body's main artery (the aorta), especially in older adults or those with certain risk factors.
• This medicine can affect heart rhythm by prolonging the QT interval, which can lead to a dangerous irregular heartbeat.
• Levofloxacin should generally be avoided during pregnancy because it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby.
• Breastfeeding is generally not recommended during treatment and for two days after the last dose, though a small amount of the drug does pass into breast milk.
• People with reduced kidney function may need a lower dose because the drug is removed from the body mainly by the kidneys.
• No dose adjustment is generally needed for liver problems since the drug is mostly cleared by the kidneys and undergoes little liver processing, but liver injury including rare fatal cases has been reported.
• This medicine can cause dizziness and light-headedness, so know how it affects you before driving or using machinery.

Storage

• Store between 15°C and 30°C in well-closed containers
• Keep out of the reach and sight of children
• Do not use after the expiry date; return expired medication to your pharmacist

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for sudden, severe pain in your chest, stomach, or back, which could be a sign of a problem with your aorta.
• Stop the medicine and call your doctor immediately if you notice pain, swelling, or snapping/popping in a tendon area, such as the back of the ankle.
• Stop the medicine and seek help right away if you have numbness, tingling, burning pain, or weakness in your arms or legs, which could mean nerve damage.
• Seek help immediately for signs of an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Get medical help right away for mood or behavior changes such as confusion, agitation, hallucinations, memory problems, or thoughts of suicide.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness.
• Call your doctor if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, which could signal a serious intestinal infection.

Alternatives

• Ciprofloxacin
• Moxifloxacin
• Azithromycin