LEVOFLOXACIN

Indications & Dose:

Acute maxillary sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, community acquired pneumonia, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections, uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infection, acute pyelonephritis 

DOSE

• BY MOUTH

Adult

Orally usually; 250 mg twice daily or 500mg  one a day  for 7- 14 days

• Bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, skin and skin structure infections: PO/IV 500 mg q24h

•Complicated UTI, pyelonephritis: PO/IV 250 mg q24h  for 10 days

• Dosage in renal failure: PO/IV CrCI 20-49 ml/min, 500 mg x 1, then 250 mg q24h; CrCI 1 O-19 ml/ min, X00 mg x 1, then 250 mg q48h Inj: Same as oral dose by i.v infusion over 60 minutes. 

Contraindications:

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Children (potential for arthropathy and osteochondrosis), renal disease, seizure disorders, diabetes mellitus 

Interaction:

Drugs

Aluminum: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Antacids: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr dose

Calcium: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Cimetidine: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Didanosine: Markedly reduced absorption of levofloxacin; take levofloxacin 2 hr before didanosine

Famotidine: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Iron: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Lansoprazole: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Magnesium: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Nizatidine: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Omeprazole: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Ranitidine: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin

Sodium bicarbonate: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Sucralfate: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose

Warfarin: May increase hypoprothrombinemic response to warfarin

Zinc: Reduced absorption of levofloxacin; do not take within 4 hr of dose 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Excretion into breast milk unknown; due to the potential for arthropathy and osteochondrosis, use extreme caution in nursing mothers 

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

CNS: Anxiety, depression,dizziness, fatigue, headache, insomnia, seizures, somnolence

EENT: Dizziness, visual disturbances

GI: Abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, dry mouth, flatulence, heart burn, increased AST, ALT; nausea, Pseudomembranous colitis, vomiting

SKIN: Photosensitivity, pruritus, rash

Patient And Carer Advice: