Levofloxacin
About
Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that belongs to the third generation of fluoroquinolones. It is a highly effective antibiotic that works against a variety of bacteria. Levofloxacin is used in a variety of bacterial infections, most importantly acute pneumonia (Lung infection), bronchitis (Inflammation of lung passages), skin infections, as well as urinary tract infection. A bacterial infection is a condition in which bacteria grow in the body and cause infection. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly.
Bacteria that are dangerous can make you sick and replicate in your body quickly. Harmful bacteria create chemicals known as toxins that can harm the tissue and cause you sick. Levofloxacin sticks to enzymes (Topoisomerase IV & DNA gyrase) responsible for the division of bacteria & stop the process of multiplication of bacteria & hence kills bacteria.
The dose of Levofloxacin can vary depending upon your condition and the severity of the infection. Levofloxacin may cause common side effects like nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, trouble sleeping, and allergy. These side effects do not require immediate attention and resolve eventually. Nevertheless, if the side effects are persistent, contact your doctor.
Before starting Levofloxacin, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy (against any antibiotic), kidney or liver problems. Do not take Levofloxacin on your own as, self-medication may lead to antibiotic-resistance in which antibiotics fail to act against specific bacterial infections. And also, if prescribed by your doctor Levofloxacin is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Uses of Levofloxacin
Medicinal Benefits
Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections resulting in pneumonia (Fluid build up in the lungs), urinary tract infection, bladder infection, prostate gland infection as well as skin infections. Levofloxacin inhibits the growth of bacteria that are then destroyed by the immune cells of our body. Levofloxacin also kills bacteria by disrupting their inner cellular contents thus fights infection, with lesser chances of causing bacterial resistance to it as compared to other antibiotics.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levofloxacin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Trouble sleeping
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Following drugs should not be taken alongside Levofloxacin: Pain-relieving (NSAIDs), Acidity relievers (cimetidine), Anti-tuberculosis drugs (probenecid), Immunosuppressants (cyclosporin), Anti-bacterial drugs (macrolides), Blood sugar lowering drugs (insulin, glibenclamide) & Blood thinners (warfarin), fits medications (Phenytoin, valproate).
Drug-Food Interaction: Levofloxacin should be avoided with milk and yoghurt.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Levofloxacin should be taken only after doctors consultation in conditions like Swollen intestines (colitis), Weak muscles (myasthenia gravis), Swollen tendons (tendonitis), High blood sugar (diabetes), hemodialysis (kidney dialysis), Kidney dysfunction as well as disease of nerves.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedAlcohol is not known to cause any unpleasant side effects if taken along with Levofloxacin. But intake of alcohol with Levofloxacin may damage your liver. So intake of Levofloxacin should be avoided with Levofloxacin.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known whether Levofloxacin will affect pregnant women or fetus or not. Hence, the intake of Levofloxacin should be avoided if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant unless your doctor recommends otherwise.
Breast Feeding
cautionBefore taking this drug doctor's consultation is mandatory.Levofloxacin is excreted in human milk. But the amount of Levofloxacin absorbed by the nursing infant is unknown.
Driving
cautionAfter taking this drug, you can experience side effects like feeling dizzy, tired, and a spinning sensation (vertigo) or alterations in your vision. If this occurs, do not drive or perform any work that requires high level of concentration.
Liver
cautionLevofloxacin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionLevofloxacin to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedLevofloxacin can be given to children but under medical supervision. Levofloxacin is prescribed to the children to treat complicated urinary tract infections, anthrax infection or plague infection.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Dairy products such as milk and yogurt must be avoided for at least 2 hours before and after taking the medicine.
- Maintaining good hygiene is essential.
- Have more fiber-enriched food in your diet, as it 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.
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After taking the full course of levofloxacin, probiotics should be taken in order to recover healthy bacteria that could have been destroyed in the intestines. The risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by antibiotic treatment can be minimized by taking probiotics.
Special Advise
Before starting Levofloxacin treatment a patient should take care of the following points :
- During treatment and after 48 hours of discontinuation of treatment with Levofloxacin, limit exposure to heavy sunlight or to artificial UV rays (e.g. sunlight).
- Before using eye drops of Levofloxacin, remove the contact lenses and wait at least 15 minutes before reinsertion.
- Monitor liver function test (LFT), renal function test, white blood cell count, and blood glucose level in diabetic patients as Levofloxacin may cause harmful interactions in these patients.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
A bacterial infection is a condition in which harmful bacteria enter, multiply, and infect our bodies. It can target any body part and multiple very quickly. When you get infected with bacteria, you can experience generalized symptoms like fevers, chills, and fatigue. Bacteria are of various forms comprising commonly of spherical, rod, and spiral-shaped. Bacterial infections vary from minor illnesses like sore throat and ear infections to severe brain infections like meningitis and encephalitis. Few harmful bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and E. coli. Anyone can become infected with a bacterial infection. People with weak immune systems or taking immunosuppressive medicine can make them more prone to bacterial infection.
FAQs
Levofloxacin inhibits the growth of bacteria that are then destroyed by the immune cells of our body. Levofloxacin also kills bacteria by disrupting their inner cellular contents thus helps fight infection.
Diarrhoea may be caused by Levofloxacin. It is an antibiotic that destroys dangerous bacteria by killing them. Nonetheless, it also affects the beneficial bacteria in your stomach or gut and causes diarrhoea. Talk to your doctor about it if you have serious diarrhoea.
It is recommended not to stop taking this drug without completing the course as prescribed by a doctor. If a patient stops taking this drug by himself/herself, It may be difficult to treat future infections with Levofloxacin due to resistance that microbes develop on non-completion of drug course.
It is safe to use Levofloxacin alongside contraceptives; no harmful/negative interaction has been reported between them.
