what is 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 what is levaquin. Your symptoms may start to improve before the infectionis completely treated what is levaquin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water (8 ounces) what is levaquin. Drink several extraglasses of fluid each day to prevent the formation of Levaquin crystals in theurine what is 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 what is levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic what is levaquin.

What is Levaquin?
• Levaquin is an antibiotic in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones what is levaquin. It fights bacteria in the body what is levaquin.
• Levaquin is used to treat various types of bacterial infections what is levaquin.
• Levaquin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide what is 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 what is 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 what is levaquin.
• Levaquin is in the FDA pregnancy category C what is levaquin. This means that it is notknown whether Levaquin will be harmful to an unborn baby what is levaquin. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment what is levaquin.
• It is not known whether Levaquin passes into breast milk what is levaquin. Similar drugsare known to affect bone development what is levaquin. Do not take Levaquin without first talkingto your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby what is levaquin.
• Levaquin is not approved for use by children under 18 years of age what is levaquin. Itmay interfere with bone development what is levaquin.

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

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

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

What should I avoid while taking Levaquin?
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight what is levaquin. Levaquin may increase the sensitivityof the skin to sunlight, and a severe sunburn may result what is levaquin. If sun exposure isunavoidable, wear protective clothing and sunscreen what is levaquin. Call your doctor if youexperience severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after exposureto the sun what is levaquin.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities what is levaquin. Levaquin may cause dizziness what is levaquin. If you experience dizziness, avoidthese activities what is 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 what is 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 what is levaquin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur what is levaquin. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome what is 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 what is levaquin. Taking antacids, sucralfate, or vitamin or mineral supplementstoo close to a dose of Levaquin can greatly decrease the effects of the antibiotic what is 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 what is 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 what is levaquin.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Levaquin what is levaquin. Talkto your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including herbal products what is levaquin.

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

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