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Drug Guide    L   Levaquin

    Prescription drug information       User opinions and reviews (6)    

   Levaquin Levaquin Levaquin Levaquin Levaquin Levaquin Levaquin
Levaquin

Levaquin



USES: This medication is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections including urinary tract infections, skin infections or respiratory tract infections.


 
1.6 out of 5
Avg Consumer Rating 1.6 out of 5
6 Reviews | Post your opinion
 

Overview Photos How To Use Side Effects Precautions Missed Dose Drug Interactions

Levaquin

Uses
This medication is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections including urinary tract infections, skin infections or respiratory tract infections.
Notes
  • This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only.
  • Do not use it later for another infection or share it with someone else.
  • A different medication may be needed in those cases.

Storage
  • Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight.
  • Do not store in the bathroom.
  • Keep container tightly closed.


Photos

Levaquin (levofloxacin) 500 mg
Levaquin (levofloxacin) 500 mg
Levaquin (levofloxacin) 250 mg
Levaquin (levofloxacin) 250 mg
Levaquin
Levaquin

How To Use
  • Take by mouth, usually once daily or as directed.
  • May take with or without food.
  • Drink plenty of water.
  • If you take any of the following items, take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking this drug: zinc, iron, sucralfate, or antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum.
  • Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level.
  • Do this by taking the medication at the same time of day or night.
  • Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days.
  • Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

Side Effects
  • This medication may cause loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, nausea, headache or dizziness during the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication.
  • If these symptoms persist or become severe, inform your doctor.
  • Very unlikely but report promptly muscle pain or tenderness in arms or legs, vaginal discomfort, abdominal pain, vision changes, seizures, confusion, drowsiness, mental/mood changes or restlessness.
  • Notify your doctor immediately if an allergic reaction to this medication occurs.
  • Symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, skin rash, hives or itching.
  • If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions
  • Before taking this medication, tell your doctor your medical history especially of epilepsy, kidney disease, tendon problems, nervous system disorders, liver disease, blood vessel disease and of any drug allergies.
  • Use caution driving or performing tasks requiring alertness if this medication makes you dizzy, lightheaded or drowsy.
  • Limit alcohol intake.
  • Because this medication may make you more sensitive to the sun, avoid prolonged sun exposure.
  • Wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen when outdoors.
  • Caution is advised when this drug is used in children under 18 years of age.
  • This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
  • Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
  • This drug is excreted into breast milk.
  • You may have to stop nursing or stop using this drug.
  • Consult you doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose
  • If you should miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose.
  • If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
  • Do not "double-up" the dose.

Drug Interactions
  • Before taking this drug, tell your doctor of all over-the-counter or prescription drugs you may take especially theophyllin, other antibiotics, anticoagulants (blood thinners), NSAID (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), antacids, sucralfate, iron, zinc, diabetes medication, live vaccines or quinapril.
  • Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Add a Rating - Post your opinion about this drug

Post your opinion about Levaquin


User Medicine Opinions for Levaquin  
Overall: 5 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 3 out of 5
Healing Power: 4 out of 5
No dependency problems: 4 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 4 out of 5
Sex: M
Age: 52
Time Taken: 5 days days
Reason: external otitis media Date: 28 August 2007
Side Effects
None

Additional Thoughts
Some people die from taking a asperin, that doesn't mean the rest of the world has to walk around with headaches.

Overall: 1 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 4 out of 5
Healing Power: 5 out of 5
No dependency problems: 4 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 5 out of 5
Sex: M
Age: 50
Time Taken: 21 days
Reason: Epididymitis Date: 23 June 2007
Side Effects
Achilles tendon damage, wrist pain

Additional Thoughts
Started feeling achilles tendon pain 5 days after starting levaquin. Physician and pharmacy NEVER provided information about this side effect, as the prescribing information states they should. I never made the connection that an antibiotic could cause this side effect so I finished the regimen. Six months later, including three months of physical therapy, walking better, though still feel occassional pain. Fault is with physician and pharmacist. Levaquin is an important drug for fighting infections, but should be prescribed second line. There are other proven options to try first. Indiscriminate use by physicians is causing needless side effects and dramtically increasing resistance problems.

Overall: 1 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 3 out of 5
Healing Power: 5 out of 5
No dependency problems: 4 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 4 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 30
Time Taken: 8 days
Reason: kidney infection(minor) Date: 30 June 2007
Side Effects
After 2 doses of 500mg I "just wasn't myself" according to friends, I completed 8 of the 10 doses prescribed. From the second dose until I started experiencing facial numbness I have absolutely no recollection of anything so I have to take their word on my behavior. The first memorable side effect was the left side of my face kept going numb(dose 8), but then quit after a few hours. Starting from that point and progressing over the course of a week I grew progressively short of breath until I decided to see a doctor. I was rushed by ambulance to the hospital with a major pulmonary embolism. The facial numbness was attributed as pre-stroke symptoms. I had a full head to toe check of all enzymes, renal function, you name it, all test results were normal including cholesterol. Everything was ruled out with the exception of the Levaquin which was the only thing I was taking at the time.

Additional Thoughts

Overall: 1 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 4 out of 5
Healing Power: 4 out of 5
No dependency problems: 4 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 4 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 57
Time Taken: 5 days
Reason: sinus infection Date: 2 July 2007
Side Effects
acute knee pain and swelling of knee joint

Additional Thoughts

Overall: 1 out of 5
Low adverse Reactions 4 out of 5
Healing Power: 5 out of 5
No dependency problems: 5 out of 5
Cost-Benefit: 4 out of 5
Sex: F
Age: 50
Time Taken: 5 days
Reason: Possible UTI Date: 5 July 2007
Side Effects
500 mg once a day for five days. After 3rd dose, experienced vision distortions - seeing shapes going up the wall, colored spots floating in front of my eyes, spent a night of total sleeplessness. On day 4 noticed a little tightness in my calves. I attributed it to the gardening I was doing. On day 5 woke up with very tight calves. It was painful to walk and very painful to go down stairs. When I got to work I googled side effect of Levaquin and saw all the problems people have had with taking it. I have been off of the medication for three days and still have a great deal of pain in my calves. I have difficulty walking and have had to discontinue any strenuous activity. I have never had a bad reaction to any other antibiotic. I hope these symptons go away soon. My doctor just said he would note "muscle aches" on my chart and said "all antibiotics have some side effects." I think hardly being able to walk and then only in pain is more than a "side e

Additional Thoughts
I think this is a very strong and dangerous drug. While some people may take it with no problems, many people are having severe and debilitating problems which seem to last and last. I do not think this drug should be prescribed for simple infections. There are other safer drugs to try first.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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