Azithromycin+levofloxacin
About
Azithromycin+levofloxacin belongs to a class of medications called antibiotics used in the treatment of several bacterial infections of the urinary tract, ears, nose, throat, chest, lungs, prostate gland, skin, and soft tissue. A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Azithromycin+levofloxacin does not work against infections caused by a virus.
Azithromycin+levofloxacin is a combination of two antibiotics, namely: Azithromycin and Levofloxacin. Azithromycin works by inhibiting the production of essential proteins that are necessary for bacteria to grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Levofloxacin works by interfering with a bacterial enzyme involved in repairing and replicating the DNA (genetic material) of bacteria. Together, they kill bacteria and clear infection.
Take Azithromycin+levofloxacin as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Azithromycin+levofloxacin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience vomiting, headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps, loss of appetite, or sleeping problems. Most of these side effects of Azithromycin+levofloxacin do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Azithromycin+levofloxacin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, other antibiotics, or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin. Avoid taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin and consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding as Azithromycin+levofloxacin may be excreted in human milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established. Drive only if you are alert as Azithromycin+levofloxacin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in vision. Avoid alcohol consumption with Azithromycin+levofloxacin as it may increase the severity of adverse effects.
Uses of Azithromycin+levofloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Azithromycin+levofloxacin is a combination of two broad-spectrum antibiotics namely: Azithromycin and Levofloxacin that acts against both aerobic (grow in the presence of oxygen) and anaerobic (grow in the absence of oxygen) gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is used in the treatment of several bacterial infections. Azithromycin inhibits the production of essential proteins that are necessary for bacteria to grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Levofloxacin interferes with a bacterial enzyme involved in repairing and replicating the DNA (genetic material) of bacteria. Together, they kill bacteria and clear infection.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Azithromycin+levofloxacin
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping problems
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Azithromycin+levofloxacin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, other antibiotics, or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have diabetes, low levels of magnesium or potassium in the blood, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, fits, nervous or mental problems, or if you have had damage to the brain due to stroke or other brain injuries, kidney, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please inform your doctor before taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin. Avoid taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin and consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding as Azithromycin+levofloxacin may be excreted in human milk and cause adverse effects in the baby. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established. Drive only if you are alert as Azithromycin+levofloxacin may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in vision. Avoid alcohol consumption with Azithromycin+levofloxacin as it may increase the severity of adverse effects. You are recommended to complete the full course of Azithromycin+levofloxacin as prescribed by your doctor for effective results. Azithromycin+levofloxacin may interact with certain tests such as urine tests for opiates and tuberculosis tests and give unusual results. Therefore, inform the doctor that you are using Azithromycin+levofloxacin before undergoing any tests.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Azithromycin+levofloxacin may interact with medicines for migraine (ergotamine), drugs used to treat stomach problems (cisapride), HIV/AIDS drugs (nelfinavir, zidovudine), anti-allergic drug (terfenadine), heart-related medicines (quinidine, hydroquinidine, sotalol, disopyramide, amiodarone, dofetilide, ibutilide, digoxin), gout medicine (probenecid), immunosuppressant (cyclosporine), antipsychotic drug (pimozide), antidepressants (imipramine, amitriptyline), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (fenbufen, ketoprofen, indomethacin, aspirin, ibuprofen), anti-asthma drug(theophylline), blood thinner (warfarin), antituberculosis drug (rifabutin), antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid intake of dairy products like yogurt and milk for a minimum of 2 hours before and after taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have diabetes, low levels of magnesium or potassium in the blood, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, fits, nervous or mental problems, or if you have had damage to the brain due to stroke or other brain injuries, kidney, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption with Azithromycin+levofloxacin as it may increase the severity of adverse effects. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Azithromycin+levofloxacin.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAzithromycin+levofloxacin may be excreted in human milk. Therefore, Azithromycin+levofloxacin is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionAzithromycin+levofloxacin may cause dizziness, drowsiness or changes in vision. Therefore, drive only if you are alert after taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin.
Liver
cautionTake Azithromycin+levofloxacin with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Azithromycin+levofloxacin with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeAzithromycin+levofloxacin is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Take probiotics after completing the full course of Azithromycin+levofloxacin to restore some healthy bacteria in the intestines that may have been killed. Taking probiotics after antibiotic treatment can reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Certain fermented foods like cheese, yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi can help to restore the good bacteria of the intestine.
- Include fiber-rich foods, as they can be easily digested by your gut bacteria, which helps stimulate their growth. Thus, fiber-rich foods may help restore healthy gut bacteria after a course of antibiotics. Whole grains such as whole-grain bread, brown rice should be included in your diet.
- Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while you are taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase adverse effects.
Special Advise
If you are about to undergo any blood or urine tests, inform your doctor that you are taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin as it may interfere with certain tests such as urine tests for opiates and tuberculosis test.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Bacterial infection: It is a condition in which harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes infection. It can target any part of the body and multiple very quickly. Bacteria come in three basic shapes, namely spherical, rod, or spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have cell wall). Appropriate tests are done to identify bacterial strains, and based on the results, proper medication is prescribed. Some common symptoms of bacterial infection include cough, fever, and tiredness.
FAQs
Azithromycin+levofloxacin contains Azithromycin and Levofloxacin. Azithromycin works by inhibiting the production of essential proteins that are necessary for bacteria to grow, multiply and increase in numbers. Levofloxacin works by interfering with a bacterial enzyme involved in repairing and replicating the DNA (genetic material) of bacteria. Together, they kill bacteria and clear infection.
Azithromycin+levofloxacin may be used to treat lung infection caused by bacteria. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and prevents the spread of infection.
You are not recommended to take Azithromycin+levofloxacin with warfarin as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of bleeding more easily. However, please consult your doctor before taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin with other medicines.
Azithromycin+levofloxacin may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect. However, if the condition persists, worsens or if you notice blood or mucus in stools, avoid taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin and consult a doctor immediately.
Azithromycin+levofloxacin is not used to treat viral infections. Azithromycin+levofloxacin is an antibiotic which is used to treat only bacterial infections.
You are not recommended to stop taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the infection or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Azithromycin+levofloxacin for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Azithromycin+levofloxacin, please consult your doctor.