Levaquin
Levaquin
- Type: Quinolones
- Manufacturer: Johnson & Johnson
- Substance:
- Dosage: 250mg, 500mg, 750mg
- Avg Price:
The drug Levaquin in New Zealand belongs to the fluoroquinolones class of antibiotics, sometimes known simply as "quinolones". Usually Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of kidneys, bladder, prostate, sinuses and skin. Sometimes it is also used to treat bronchitis and pneumonia caused by bacteria. It is also used for the treatment of people who have been exposed to anthrax or plague.
Levaquin is prescribed for adults and children aged 1 year and older for the following diseases and conditions: infections of the accessory apparatus of the eye and the anterior segment of the eye caused by flora sensitive to levofloxacin (treatment); complications after surgical and laser ophthalmic operations (prevention).
It is taken to treat bacterial infections sensitive to levofloxacin in adults: acute sinusitis; exacerbation of chronic bronchitis; community-acquired pneumonia; uncomplicated urinary tract infections; complicated urinary tract infections (including acute pyelonephritis); chronic bacterial prostatitis; infections of the skin and soft tissues; septicemia / bacteremia associated with the above indications; abdominal infections; complex treatment of drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis.
Application and Dosage
This medicine should be taken at the same time every day according to the doctor’s prescription. It is also recommended to drink a lot of water when taking Levaquin in New Zealand. The drug should be taken an hour before or two hours after food consumption.
The drug is taken orally, 1 or 2 times a day. Do not chew the tablets. Take the drug with a sufficient amount of a liquid (0.5 to 1 cup), it can be taken before or between having meals. The dosage of the drug should be determined be the doctor according to the nature and severity of the infection, as well as the sensitivity of the alleged pathogen.
For patients with normal or moderately reduced renal function, the following dosage is usually recommended: for treating sinusitis: 500 mg once a day during 10-14 days; exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 250 or 500 mg once a day during 7-10 days; community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg 1-2 times a day during 7-14 days; uncomplicated urinary tract infections: 250 mg once a day during 3 days; chronic bacterial prostatitis: 500 mg once a day during 28 days; complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis: 250 mg once a day during 7-10 days; infections of the skin and soft tissues: 250 mg once a day or 500 mg 1-2 times a day during 7-14 days; septicemia / bacteremia: 500 mg 1-2 times a day during 10-14 days; intra-abdominal infection: 500 mg once a day during 7-14 days (in combination with antibacterial drugs acting on the anaerobic flora, after intravenous administration to continue therapy).
Elderly patients do not need to change the dosage regimen. As with the use of other antimicrobial medications, it is recommended to continue the treatment with Levaquin for at least 48–78 hours after the normalization of the body temperature or after a reliable destruction of the pathogen.
If you missed taking the drug, then you need to take the pill as soon as possible, until the time of the next intake is coming. Then continue to take Levaquin according to the usual plan.
Levaquin Contraindications
The drug is contraindicated if the patients suffer from the following conditions: myasthenia gravis, heart rhythm disorder, joint problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures or epilepsy, a history of head injury or brain tumor, diabetes, muscle weakness or trouble breathing, low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), and others.
You should not take the drug Levaquin in case you are allergic to any other antibiotic of the similar class. Before taking the medication you should inform your doctor about all the medicines and food additives that you have to take. Describe the doctor all the symptoms you have and tell about the diseases you experience at the moment of have had recently.
Side Effects
Some Levaquin side effects that you may face include: mild diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, mild headache or dizziness, sleep problems (insomnia), vaginal itching or discharge.
From the side of the nervous system, the following side effects may occur: infrequently - drowsiness, tremor; rarely - convulsions. From the side of the organ of vision some patients may experience blurredness of the visible image, but it is very rarely observed. On the part of the hearing organ there may occur ringing in the ears and hearing loss, which are rare side effects.
On the respiratory system side there may be the following side reactions: shortness of breath, bronchospasm and allergic pneumonitis. On the side of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, in some cases, there may be rashes and itching. The reactions from the skin and mucous membranes can sometimes develop even after taking the first dose of the drug.
In the case if you experience any sudden changes or unexpected conditions concerning your health, then you should contact your doctor immediately.