Levaquin

What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?
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Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Levaquin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
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Take Levaquin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.
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Take Levaquin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
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Levaquin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Levaquin may interfere with bone development in a child.
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There are certain medicines you should not take within the 2 hours before or after you take Levaquin. This includes antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx), and vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc. Taking these other medicines too close to your dose of Levaquin can make the antibiotic much less effective.
What is Levaquin?
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Levaquin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Levaquin fights bacteria in the body.
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Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections, urinary tract infections, and infections of the prostate.
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Levaquin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Levaquin?
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Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you have:
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kidney disease;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome; or
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a history of head injury or brain tumor.
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If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Levaquin, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
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FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
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Levaquin can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 18 years old. Levaquin may interfere with bone development in a child.
How should I take Levaquin?
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Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
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Take Levaquin with a full glass of water (8 ounces). Drink several extra glasses of fluid each day to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.
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Take Levaquin on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
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Measure the liquid form of Levaquin with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
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Take Levaquin at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions.
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Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Levaquin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
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To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
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This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Levaquin.
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Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are more than 2 hours late in taking your medicine, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an Levaquin overdose may include loss of balance or coordination, drooping eyelids, weakness, decreased activity, trouble breathing, sweating, tremors, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?
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There are certain medicines you should not take within the 2 hours before or after you take Levaquin. This includes antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (Tums or Rolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), didanosine (Videx), and vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc. Taking these other medicines too close to your dose of Levaquin can make the antibiotic much less effective.
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Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Levaquin can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
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Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
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Levaquin can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?
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Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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Stop using Levaquin and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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seizure (convulsions);
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confusion, hallucinations (seeing things that are not there);
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a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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tremors or shaking;
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easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
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unusual thoughts or behavior;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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sudden pain or swelling near your joints (especially in your arm or ankle);
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numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or
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diarrhea that is watery or bloody.
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Continue using Levaquin and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
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feeling restless or anxious;
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain;
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headache, drowsiness, dizziness;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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vaginal itching or discharge; or
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mild skin itching.
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Levaquin?
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Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
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bepridil (Vascor),
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cisapride (Propulsid);
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droperidol (Inapsine);
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methadone (Methadose);
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pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam);
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theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
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cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
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insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others;
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aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others;
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antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin) or erythromycin (Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, E.E.S);
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medicines to treat psychiatric disorder, such as pimozide (Orap), haloperidol (Haldol), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or
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heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute), or sotalol (Betapace).
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If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Levaquin, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
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There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Levaquin. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about Levaquin written for health professionals that you may read.