Brand Names: Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-Pak

Generic Name: levofloxacin (oral) (Pronunciation: leev oh FLOX a sin)

• What is levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• How should I take levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Levaquin)?
• What happens if I overdose (Levaquin)?
• What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• What other drugs will affect levofloxacin (Levaquin)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is levofloxacin (Levaquin)?

Levofloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones (flor-o-KWIN-o-lones). Levofloxacin fights bacteria in the body.

Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate. Levofloxacin is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.

Levofloxacin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Levaquin 250 mg

oblong, pink, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 250

Levaquin 500 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 500

Levaquin 750 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with LEVAQUIN, 750

Levofloxacin 250 mg-TEV

oval, pink, imprinted with 7291, TEVA

Levofloxacin 500 mg-TEV

oval, pink, imprinted with 7292, TEVA

Levofloxacin 750 mg-TEV

oval, white, imprinted with 7293, TEVA

What are the possible side effects of levofloxacin (Levaquin)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• sudden pain, snapping or popping sound, bruising, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or loss of movement in any of your joints;
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• confusion, hallucinations, depression, tremors, feeling restless or anxious, unusual thoughts or behavior, insomnia, nightmares, seizure (convulsions);
• pale skin, fever, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding;
• upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• numbness, burning pain, or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how mild; or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness;
• nausea, vomiting;
• headache, dizziness; or
• vaginal itching or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Levaquin (levofloxacin) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about levofloxacin (Levaquin)?

You should not use this medication if you have a history of myasthenia gravis, or if you are allergic to levofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin (Floxin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and others.

Before taking levofloxacin, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, muscle weakness or trouble breathing, joint problems, seizures, diabetes, low levels of potassium in your blood, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome, or if you have ever hadn an allergic reaction to an antibiotic.

Avoid taking antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, sucralfate (Carafate), or didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets within 2 hours before or after you take levofloxacin.

Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant. Stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have sudden pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints. Rest the joint until you receive medical care or instructions.