Levofloxacin+ornidazole
About Levofloxacin+ornidazole
Levofloxacin+ornidazole belongs to the class of 'antibiotics', primarily used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery. It helps treat various bacterial and parasitic infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, intestinal, vaginal, urinary tract infections and genital infections. Diarrhoea is a condition that causes the frequent passing of loose or watery stools. Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation that leads to severe diarrhoea accompanied by mucus or blood in the stools. Bacterial infections are caused due to the multiplication of harmful bacteria inside or on the body.
Levofloxacin+ornidazole contains two antibiotic medicines, namely: Levofloxacin and Ornidazole. Levofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called quinolone antibiotics. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called gyrase, which is responsible for the growth and development of bacterial DNA. Ornidazole is an anti-amoebic/ amebicide (kills amoeba that causes amoebic dysentery) and antiprotozoal (fights against protozoal infections) medicine. It also exerts antibacterial action and kills harmful bacteria and parasites (amoeba) by damaging their DNA by interfering with the protein formation process.
Please take Levofloxacin+ornidazole in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor based on your medical condition. Levofloxacin+ornidazole is generally safe to use. However, some may experience side effects like nausea, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhoea, trouble sleeping, dizziness and headache. Most of these side effects of Levofloxacin+ornidazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. If these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Levofloxacin+ornidazole or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Do not suddenly stop this medicine to avoid unpleasant side effects and sudden withdrawal symptoms. Intake of probiotics, prebiotics and plenty of fluids is recommended if you suffer from dysentery and diarrhoea. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Levofloxacin+ornidazole as it may cause dizziness. Avoid alcoholic beverages during your treatment, as it can worsen the disease and side effects. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should use Levofloxacin+ornidazole with proper consultation and caution.
Uses of Levofloxacin+ornidazole
Medicinal Benefits
Levofloxacin+ornidazole contains Levofloxacin and Ornidazole. It treats infections of bacteria and parasites. Levofloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase, an enzyme required for the replication, transcription and repair of the DNA. It is also used to treat anthrax (a rare but serious bacterial illness) and certain types of plague. Ornidazole is an anti-amoebic, antiprotozoal and antibacterial medicine. It kills harmful protozoa and certain anaerobic bacteria by damaging their DNA and interfering with the protein formation process. It treats amoebiasis (amoebic dysentery), giardiasis (infection of the small intestine) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite). Collectively, Levofloxacin+ornidazole treats various bacterial and parasitic infections, such as diarrhoea, dysentery, pneumonia, bronchitis, intestinal, vaginal, urinary tract infections and genital infections. Levofloxacin+ornidazole does not work for viral infections like common cold and flu.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levofloxacin+ornidazole
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history to doctor, if you are allergic to Levofloxacin+ornidazole or any of its components. Please let your doctor know before starting Levofloxacin+ornidazole if you have a history liver or kidney diseases, tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon, a tissue connecting muscle and bone), fits, diabetes, dehydration, blood dyscrasia (decreased peripheral blood cell counts), colitis (inflammation of the colon) or undergoing dialysis treatment. Levofloxacin in Levofloxacin+ornidazole can make myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness) worse, hence you should take Levofloxacin+ornidazole only under doctor's supervision. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before starting Levofloxacin+ornidazole. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Levofloxacin+ornidazole as it may cause dizziness. Please try avoiding alcoholic beverages during your treatment, as it worsens the disease and side effects. Levofloxacin+ornidazole is not recommended for patients younger than 18 years of age.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levofloxacin+ornidazole may interact with blood thinners (warfarin), pain killers (aspirin), anti-depressants (escitalopram), heart-related drugs (quinidine), anaesthetics (vecuronium), birth control pills containing Ethinyl estradiol, corticosteroids, anti-diabetic drugs, antacids, and multivitamins with minerals.
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid alcoholic beverages since it may lead to dizziness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Levofloxacin+ornidazole is cautiously recommended if you have any liver or kidney diseases, tendonitis, fits, blood dyscrasia, colitis, diabetes, myasthenia gravis, dehydration, dialysis, high blood pressure, nerve problems, mood disorders (depression), aneurysm, blockage of the aorta or other blood vessels and connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAlcohol consumption may worsen the side effect of Levofloxacin+ornidazole like dizziness. It is better to avoid alcohol while you are being treated with Levofloxacin+ornidazole.
Pregnancy
unsafeLevofloxacin+ornidazole is not recommended for use during pregnancy since it may have harmful effects on the developing baby. Please consult your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant or already pregnant before starting Levofloxacin+ornidazole.
Breast Feeding
cautionLevofloxacin in Levofloxacin+ornidazole is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Levofloxacin+ornidazole if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeLevofloxacin+ornidazole may make you feel dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any impairment of skills, dizziness, and visual disturbances while using Levofloxacin+ornidazole.
Liver
cautionPlease take Levofloxacin+ornidazole with caution and doctor's advice if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions.
Kidney
cautionPlease take Levofloxacin+ornidazole with caution and doctor's advice if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions.
Children
unsafeLevofloxacin+ornidazole is not recommended for patients younger than 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Antibiotics can alter the useful bacteria in the stomach. Therefore, you are advised to take foods rich in probiotics such as yoghurt/curd, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi, miso, kombucha, buttermilk, natto and cheese.
- Eat fibre rich food like whole grains, beans, lentils, berries, broccoli, peas and bananas.
- Avoid foods rich in calcium, grapefruit and grapefruit juice as they might hinder antibiotic's absorption.
- If you have diarrhoea try to drink appropriate amounts of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- If you have minor diarrhoea (less than four stools daily) drinking caffeine-free soft drinks, juices or sport rehydration drinks can be sufficient.
- If the diarrhoea is more severe, specially formulated rehydration drinks should be taken.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Levofloxacin+ornidazole as it can make you dehydrated and may affect your sleep. This can make it harder for your body to aid the Levofloxacin+ornidazole in fighting off infections.
Special Advise
- Levofloxacin can cause serious tendon problems and nerve damage, hence you should be cautious. If you experience any symptoms like severe headaches, extreme hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation and memory problems, please stop using this medicine and seek immediate medical advice.
- Levofloxacin+ornidazole contains Levofloxacin, which might produce false-positive urine screening results for opiates. Inform the laboratory staff that you are taking Levofloxacin+ornidazole.
- Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly since Levofloxacin may affect your glucose levels in diabetes.
- Quinolone antibiotics like Levofloxacin may cause QT prolongation (heart muscle takes longer than normal to recharge between beats) in electrocardiogram (ECG) in some patients.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diarrhoea is a condition that causes the frequent passing of loose or watery stools. It is caused by bacteria (campylobacter and Escherichia coli), virus (norovirus or rotavirus) and parasites in contaminated food and water.
Dysentery is an intestinal inflammation that leads to severe diarrhoea accompanied by mucus or blood in the stools. It is mostly caused by shigella bacteria (shigellosis) or an amoeba.
Bacterial infection occurs when harmful bacteria grow in the body and causes infection. It can infect any part of the body and multiply very quickly. Bacteria occur in three basic shapes: spherical, rod and spiral-shaped. Bacteria may be gram-positive (have thick cell wall) or gram-negative (do not have a cell wall). Some common symptoms of a bacterial infection include cough, fever and tiredness.
FAQs
Levofloxacin+ornidazole contains Levofloxacin and Ornidazole. These drugs are antibiotics that kill and prevent the microbial growth that causes diarrhoea, dysentery and other parasitic and bacterial infections.
Please let your doctor know if you have a history of allergic reactions to medicines, liver or kidney diseases, diabetes, joint or tendon problems (tendonitis, bursitis), mood disorders (depression), myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), blood dyscrasia (decreased peripheral blood cell counts), peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), fits, aneurysm (weakening of an artery), blockage of the aorta or other blood vessels, high blood pressure and connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
Levofloxacin+ornidazole consists of Levofloxacin, a quinolone antibiotic that may cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) or hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels). It is advised to consult your doctor before using Levofloxacin+ornidazole and monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
Do not stop using Levofloxacin+ornidazole even if you feel better until the doctor's advised course is finished. Your symptoms may improve, but the infection may not be cured completely.
Levofloxacin+ornidazole contains a quinolone antibiotic, Levofloxacin that can affect the live vaccines like typhoid vaccine and decrease its effectiveness. Please consult a doctor before you start Levofloxacin+ornidazole if you are undergoing any vaccinations.
Antacids and multivitamins with minerals can decrease the efficacy of Levofloxacin+ornidazole. Hence, it is recommended to take Levofloxacin+ornidazole 2 to 4 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after taking magnesium/aluminium antacids, sucralfate, zinc or iron preparations, and multivitamins with minerals.
