brand name levaquin

What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?
• Take all of the Levaquin that has been prescribed for you even if youbegin to feel better brand name levaquin. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infectionis completely treated brand name levaquin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces) brand name levaquin. Drink several extraglasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of Levaquin crystals in theurine brand name levaquin.
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin brand name levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic brand name levaquin.

What is Levaquin?
• Levaquin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones brand name levaquin. It fights bacteria in the body brand name levaquin.
• Levaquin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections brand name levaquin.
• Levaquin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide brand name levaquin.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Levaquin?
• Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you
· have kidney disease;
· have a seizure disorder;
· have a heart condition known as prolongation of the QT interval;
· have a slow heart rate that is considered a medical condition;
· have low levels of potassium in your blood; or
· are being treated for heart rhythm disturbances (irregular heartbeats)with drugs such as quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinidex, Quinaglute, others), procainamide(Pronestyl, Procan SR, others), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, others), sotalol(Betapace), and others brand name levaquin.
• You may not be able to take Levaquin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove brand name levaquin.
• Levaquin is in the FDA pregnancy category C brand name levaquin. This means that it is notknown whether Levaquin will be harmful to an unborn baby brand name levaquin. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment brand name levaquin.
• It is not known whether Levaquin passes into breast milk brand name levaquin. Similar drugsare known to affect bone development brand name levaquin. Do not take Levaquin without first talkingto your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby brand name levaquin.
• Levaquin is not approved for use by children under 18 years of age brand name levaquin. Itmay interfere with bone development brand name levaquin.

How should I take Levaquin?
• Take Levaquin exactly as directed by your doctor brand name levaquin. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou brand name levaquin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces) brand name levaquin. Drink several extraglasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of Levaquin crystals in theurine brand name levaquin.
• Levaquin may be taken with or without food brand name levaquin.
• Take Levaquin at evenly spaced intervals brand name levaquin.
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin brand name levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic brand name levaquin.
• Take all of the Levaquin that has been prescribed for you even if youbegin to feel better brand name levaquin. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infectionis completely treated brand name levaquin.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat brand name levaquin.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember brand name levaquin. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose brand name levaquin. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwisedirected by your doctor brand name levaquin.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention brand name levaquin.
• The most common symptom of a Levaquin overdose is seizures brand name levaquin.

What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight brand name levaquin. Levaquin may increase the sensitivityof the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result brand name levaquin. If sun exposure isunavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen brand name levaquin. Call your doctor if youexperience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposureto the sun brand name levaquin.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities brand name levaquin. Levaquin may cause dizziness brand name levaquin. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities brand name levaquin.

What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingLevaquin and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· seizures;
· confusion or hallucinations;
· irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or fainting;
· liver damage (yellowing of the skin or eyes, nausea, abdominal painor discomfort, unusual bleeding or bruising, severe fatigue); or
· muscle or joint pain brand name levaquin.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking Levaquin and talk to your doctor:
· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
· headache or lightheadedness;
· drowsiness;
· insomnia;
· ringing in the ears; or
· increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight brand name levaquin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur brand name levaquin. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome brand name levaquin.

What other drugs will affect Levaquin?
• Do not take antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum (e.g., Tums orRolaids), the ulcer medicine sucralfate (Carafate), or vitamin or mineral supplementsthat contain iron or zinc for a minimum of 2 hours before or 2 hours after adose of Levaquin brand name levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic brand name levaquin.
• Before taking Levaquin, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing drugs:
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, Slo-Phyllin, Slo-Bid, Elixophyllin);
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· insulin or an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol),glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta, Glynase), and others; or
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox), ketoprofen (OrudisKT, Orudis, Oruvail), and others brand name levaquin.
• You may not be able to take Levaquin, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicineslisted above brand name levaquin.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Levaquin brand name levaquin. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products brand name levaquin.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Levaquin written forhealth professionals that you may read brand name levaquin.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.