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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is LEVAQUIN? Click here for approved LEVAQUIN uses. Sometimes viruses rather than bacteria may infect the lungs and sinuses (for example the common cold). LEVAQUIN, like other antibiotics, does not kill viruses. You should contact your health care professional if you think that your condition is not improving while taking LEVAQUIN. LEVAQUIN Tablets are terra cotta pink for the 250 mg tablet, peach colored for the 500 mg tablet, or white for the 750 mg tablet. The appearance of LEVAQUIN Oral Solution may range from clear yellow to clear greenish-yellow. How many times a day do I take LEVAQUIN? If I'm only taking LEVAQUIN once a day, does it work? If I feel better, do I need to continue taking LEVAQUIN? Do I need to take LEVAQUIN with food? You may begin to feel better quickly; however, in order to make sure that all bacteria are killed, you should complete the full course of medication. Do not take more than the prescribed dose of LEVAQUIN even if you missed a dose by mistake. You should not take a double dose. Do I need to be aware of any potential side effects with LEVAQUIN? You should be careful about driving or operating machinery until you are sure LEVAQUIN is not causing dizziness. Allergic reactions have been reported in patients receiving quinolones including LEVAQUIN, even after just one dose. If you develop hives, skin rash or other symptoms of an allergic reaction, you should stop taking this medication and call your healthcare professional. Ruptures of shoulder, hand, or Achilles tendons have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including LEVAQUIN. If you develop pain, swelling, or rupture of a tendon you should stop taking LEVAQUIN and contact your healthcare professional. Some quinolone antibiotics have been associated with the development of phototoxicity (“sunburns” and “blistering sunburns”) following exposure to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet light such as artificial ultraviolet light used in tanning salons. LEVAQUIN has been infrequently associated with phototoxicity. You should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light while you are taking LEVAQUIN. If you have diabetes and you develop a hypoglycemic reaction while on LEVAQUIN, you should stop taking LEVAQUIN and call your healthcare professional. Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving quinolone antibiotics including LEVAQUIN. If you have experienced convulsions in the past, be sure to let your physician know that you have a history of convulsions. Quinolones, including LEVAQUIN, may also cause central nervous system stimulation which may lead to tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet or you have concerns about the side effects you are experiencing, please inform your healthcare professional. For more complete information regarding levofloxacin, please refer to the full prescribing information, which may be obtained from your healthcare professional, pharmacist, or the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR). What about other medicines I am taking? Many antacids and multivitamins may interfere with the absorption of LEVAQUIN and may prevent it from working properly. You should take LEVAQUIN either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking these products. It is important to let your healthcare professional know all of the medicines you are using. Will LEVAQUIN change the effectiveness of my birth control pill? Should I stay out of the sun? IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR LEVAQUIN Fluoroquinolones, including LEVAQUIN®, are associated with an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages. This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart, or lung transplants. Call your healthcare professional right away at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling or inflammation. You should stop taking LEVAQUIN® until tendinitis or tendon rupture has been ruled out and avoid exercise and using the affected area. LEVAQUIN® is contraindicated in persons with known hypersensitivity to LEVAQUIN® or other quinolone antibiotics. Serious and occasionally fatal allergic reactions, as well as some of unknown origin, have been reported in patients receiving therapy with quinolones, including LEVAQUIN®. These reactions may occur following the first dose or multiple doses. The drug should be discontinued at the first appearance of a skin rash, hives, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction. Hepatotoxicity (liver damage) has been reported in patients receiving LEVAQUIN®. Call your doctor right away if you have unexplained symptoms such as: nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, fever, weakness, abdominal pain or tenderness, itching, unusual or unexplained tiredness, loss of appetite, light colored bowel movements, dark colored urine or yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving quinolone antibiotics including LEVAQUIN®. Tell your physician if you have a history of convulsions. Central nervous system disorders including convulsions, confusion, insomnia, depression, and anxiety may occur after the first dose. Changes in sensation and possible nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy) including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness have been reported. Diarrhea that usually ends after treatment is a common problem caused by antibiotics. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, you can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever). This can occur during or up to 2 months after the use of antibiotics. In a few people, LEVAQUIN®, like some other antibiotics has been linked to abnormal heart rhythms that can be dangerous. Tell your doctor if you have a history of or currently have low potassium levels, abnormal heart rhythms or are taking any medications for abnormal heart rhythms. LEVAQUIN® can make your skin sensitive to the sun (photosensitivity) and the light from sunlamps and tanning beds. You could get severe sunburn, blisters, or swelling of your skin. Blood glucose disturbances have been reported with use of quinolones, usually in diabetic patients taking oral anti-diabetes medicines or insulin. If you develop any of these symptoms or side effects discussed above, contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible. Safety and efficacy in pregnant women and nursing mothers have not been established. The risk-benefit assessment indicates that LEVAQUIN® is only appropriate in pediatric patients for treatment of inhalational anthrax (post-exposure). The safety in pediatric patients treated for more than 14 days has not been studied.
Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, as well as sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, and multivitamin preparations with zinc, or The most common adverse drug reactions (≥3%) in US clinical trials were nausea, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, constipation, and dizziness. For information on Warnings, Precautions, Adverse Reactions Drug Interactions, and Use in Specific Populations, please see Medication Guide and full Product Information, including Boxed Warning. *Videx is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.
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