Levofloxacin Injection
Brand Name(s): Levaquin® I.V.; also available generically
IMPORTANT WARNING:
Using levofloxacin injection increases the risk that you will develop tendinitis (swelling of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) or have a tendon rupture (tearing of a fibrous tissue that connects a bone to a muscle) during your treatment or for up to several months afterward. These problems may affect tendons in your shoulder, your hand, the back of your ankle, or in other parts of your body. Tendinitis or tendon rupture may happen to people of any age, but the risk is highest in people over 60 years of age. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant; kidney disease; a joint or tendon disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis (a condition in which the body attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and loss of function); or if you participate in regular physical activity. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking oral or injectable steroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Rayos). If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendinitis, stop using levofloxacin injection, rest, and call your doctor immediately: pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or difficulty in moving a muscle. If you experience any of the following symptoms of tendon rupture, stop using levofloxacin injection and get emergency medical treatment: hearing or feeling a snap or pop in a tendon area, bruising after an injury to a tendon area, or inability to move or to bear weight on an affected area.
Using levofloxacin injection may cause changes in sensation and nerve damage that may not go away even after you stop using levofloxacin. This damage may occur soon after you begin using levofloxacin injection. Tell your doctor if you have ever had peripheral neuropathy (a type of nerve damage that causes tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet). If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using levofloxacin and call your doctor immediately: numbness, tingling, pain, burning, or weakness in the arms or legs; or a change in your ability to feel light touch, vibrations, pain, heat, or cold.
Using levofloxacin injection may affect your brain or nervous system and cause serious side effects. This can occur after the first dose of levofloxacin injection. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, epilepsy, cerebral arteriosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels in or near the brain that can lead to stroke or ministroke), stroke, changed brain structure, or kidney disease. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop using levofloxacin injection and call your doctor immediately: seizures; tremors; dizziness; lightheadedness; headaches that won't go away (with or without blurred vision); difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; nightmares; not trusting others or feeling that others want to hurt you; hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist); thoughts or actions towards hurting or killing yourself; feeling restless, anxious, nervous, depressed, memory problems, or confused, or other changes in your mood or behavior.
Using levofloxacin injection may worsen muscle weakness in people with myasthenia gravis (a disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness) and cause severe difficulty breathing or death. Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis. Your doctor may tell you not to use levofloxacin injection. If you have myasthenia gravis and your doctor tells you that you should use levofloxacin injection, call your doctor immediately if you experience muscle weakness or difficulty breathing during your treatment.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of using levofloxacin injection.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with levofloxacin injection. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (https://www.fda.gov/Drugs) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.
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WHY is this medicine prescribed?
Levofloxacin injection is used to treat infections such as pneumonia; and kidney, prostate (a male reproductive gland), and skin infections. Levofloxacin injection is also used to prevent anthrax (a serious infection that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack) in people who may have been exposed to anthrax germs in the air and treat and prevent plague (a serious infection that may be spread on purpose as part of a bioterror attack. Levofloxacin may also be used to treat bronchitis, sinus infections, or urinary tract infections but should not be used for bronchitis and certain types of urinary tract infections if there are other treatment options available. Levofloxacin injection is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. It works by killing bacteria that cause infections.
Antibiotics such as levofloxacin injection will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections. Using antibiotics when they are not needed increases your risk of getting an infection later that resists antibiotic treatment.
HOW should this medicine be used?
Levofloxacin injection comes as a solution (liquid) to be given through a needle or catheter placed in your vein. It is usually infused (injected slowly) intravenously (into a vein) over a period of 60 or 90 minutes, once every 24 hours. The length of your treatment depends on the type of infection you have. Your doctor will tell you how long to use levofloxacin injection.
You may receive levofloxacin injection in a hospital or you may use the medication at home. If you will be using levofloxacin injection at home, your healthcare provider will show you how to infuse the medication. Be sure that you understand these directions, and ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions. Ask your healthcare provider what to do if you have any problems infusing levofloxacin injection.
You should begin feeling better during the first few days of your treatment with levofloxacin injection. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Use levofloxacin injection until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. Do not stop using levofloxacin injection without talking to your doctor unless you experience certain serious side effects listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING or SIDE EFFECTS sections. If you stop using levofloxacin injection too soon or if you skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated and the bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics.
Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?
Levofloxacin injection is also sometimes used to treat endocarditis (infection of the heart lining and valves), certain sexually transmitted diseases, salmonella (an infection that causes severe diarrhea), shigella (an infection that causes severe diarrhea), inhalation anthrax (a serious infection that may be spread by anthrax germs in the air on purpose as part of a bioterror attack), and tuberculosis (TB), Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication for your condition.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?
Before using levofloxacin injection,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have had a severe reaction to levofloxacin; any other quinolone or fluoroquinolone antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), moxifloxacin (Avelox), and ofloxacin; or any other medications, or any of the ingredients in levofloxacin injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while receiving levofloxacin injection. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- The following nonprescription products may interact with levofloxacin injection: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start receiving levofloxacin injection. Do not start any of these medications while receiving levofloxacin injection without discussing with your healthcare provider.
- tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death) or if you have or ever had an irregular or slow heartbeat, a recent heart attack; an aortic aneurysm (swelling of the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the body), high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in the blood vessels), Marfan syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect the heart, eyes, blood vessels and bones), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic condition that can affect skin, joints, or blood vessels), or if you have a low level of potassium or magnesium in your blood. Also tell your doctor if you have or have every had diabetes or problems with low blood sugar, or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using levofloxacin injection, call your doctor.
- do not drive a car, operate machinery, or participate in activities requiring alertness or coordination until you know how this medication affects you.
- plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light (tanning beds and sunlamps) and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Levofloxacin injection may make your skin sensitive to sunlight or ultraviolet light. If your skin becomes reddened, swollen, or blistered, like a bad sunburn, call your doctor.
What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?
Make sure you drink plenty of water or other fluids every day while you are using levofloxacin injection.
What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?
Infuse the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not infuse a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?
Levofloxacin injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- constipation
- heartburn
- diarrhea
- vaginal itching and/or discharge
- irritation, pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, or swelling at the injection spot
If you experience any of the following symptoms, or any of the symptoms described in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop using levofloxacin injection and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:
- severe diarrhea (watery or bloody stools) that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps (may occur up to 2 months or more after your treatment)
- rash
- hives
- itching
- peeling or blistering of the skin
- fever
- swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- hoarseness or throat tightness
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- ongoing or worsening cough
- yellowing of the skin or eyes; pale skin; dark urine; or light colored stool
- extreme thirst or hunger; pale skin; feeling shaky or trembling; fast or fluttering heartbeat; sweating; frequent urination; trembling; blurred vision; or unusual anxiety
- fainting or loss of consciousness
- seizures
- unusual bruising or bleeding
- sudden pain in the chest, stomach, or back
Levofloxacin injection may cause problems with bones, joints, and tissues around joints in children. Levofloxacin injection should not normally be given to children younger than 18 years old unless they have plague or have been exposed to plague or anthrax in the air. If your doctor prescribes levofloxacin injection for your child, be sure to tell the doctor if your child has or has ever had joint-related problems. Call your doctor if your child develops joint problems, such as pain or swelling, while using levofloxacin injection or after treatment with levofloxacin injection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of using levofloxacin injection or giving levofloxacin injection to your child.
Levofloxacin injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to levofloxacin injection. If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often while using levofloxacin.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are using levofloxacin injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.
AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.
Selected Revisions: June 20, 2024.