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Antibiotic InformationAntibiotics, also known as antibacterial or antimicrobial drugs, fight infections caused by bacteria. When these medications emerged in the 1930's and 1940's, they transformed medical care by dramatically reducing illness and death from infectious diseases. Antibacterial drugs continue to bring relief to people recovering from a variety of bacterial illnesses and they keep bacterial infections from being the killer they were less than 100 years ago. But the use of antibiotics promotes the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And over the last half century, common bacteria have developed resistance to certain antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a serious area for concern. Many common bacteria causing infections are becoming resistant to certain antibiotics. And common infections, once easily treatable with antibiotics, could again cause danger and suffering for children and adults who contract these infections. It is important to understand that there are many controllable factors that play into the potential for resistance. There are a variety of antibacterial drugs available. Your healthcare professional is your best advisor when and if an antibiotic is right for you, and they can help you understand the appropriate use of antibiotics. There are many types of bacteria, which are tiny living organisms. Most are harmless and some are even helpful. A few bacteria can cause diseases in humans. An antibiotic is a drug that can slow or stop the growth of bacteria. The proper use of antibiotics is important to ensure that the drug works well against the bacteria. Remember the 3 Ds of appropriate antibiotic use:
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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