Levofloxacin Dosage Guide + Max Dose, Adjustments

Studies of levofloxacin tablets for use in the treatment of plague and anthrax were done in animals only, because plague and anthrax could not be studied in people. Microbiologic eradication rates in the Microbiologically Evaluable population at TOC for individual pathogens recovered from patients randomized to levofloxacin treatment are presented in Table 21. Vomiting and diarrhea were the most frequently reported adverse events, occurring in similar frequency in the levofloxacin-treated and non-fluoroquinolone-treated children. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of six months have not been established. Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment in order to isolate and identify organisms causing the infection and to determine their susceptibility to levofloxacin see Microbiology (12.4). Levofloxacin belongs to a class of drugs called fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

• Wearing sunglasses and avoiding too much exposure to bright light may help lessen the discomfort.
• The effectiveness of levofloxacin tablets is based on plasma concentrations achieved in humans, a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit.
• This difference was attributable to the variation in renal function status of the male and female subjects and was not believed to be clinically significant.
• This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with levofloxacin.

Pediatric Indications and Dosage

• Levofloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.
• These agents should be taken at least two hours before or two hours after oral LEVAQUIN® administration.
• Don’t wait to see if you feel okay, as some overdose effects might not appear right away.
• Microbiologic eradication rates in the Microbiologically Evaluable population at TOC for individual pathogens recovered from patients randomized to levofloxacin treatment are presented in Table 21.

The chemical name is (-)-(S)-9-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl-10-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-7-oxo-7H-pyrido1,2,3-de-1,4-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid hemihydrate. However, these changes do not warrant dosage adjustment for levofloxacin when probenecid or cimetidine is coadministered. The concomitant administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with a fluoroquinolone, including levofloxacin, may increase the risk of CNS stimulation and convulsive seizures see Warnings and Precautions (5.6). Table 8 lists adverse reactions that have been identified during post-approval use of levofloxacin. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, reliably estimating their frequency or establishing a causal relationship to drug exposure is not always possible. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

The microbiological eradication rates at the posttherapy visit were 66.7% for LEVAQUIN® and 60.6% for comparator. The 95% CI for the difference of eradication rates (LEVAQUIN® minus comparator) was -8.3, 20.3. Disorders were moderate in 8/46 (17%) children and mild in 35/46 (76%) LEVAQUIN®-treated children and most were treated with analgesics. The median time to resolution was 7 days for LEVAQUIN®-treated children and 9 for non-fluoroquinolone-treated children (approximately 80% resolved within 2 months in both groups).

Warnings and Precautions

With its user-friendly interface and constantly updated database, it is a valuable tool for healthcare professionals who seek to stay informed and provide the highest quality of care to their patients. By using or accessing any part of the website, you are agreeing to the posted terms and policies. Adequate hydration of patients receiving oral or intravenous LEVAQUIN should be maintained to prevent the formation of highly concentrated urine.

Children 6 months to 5 years of age received levofloxacin 10 mg/kg twice a day and children greater than 5 levofloxacin oral route proper use years of age received 10 mg/kg once a day (maximum 500 mg per day) for approximately 10 days. You should consult your healthcare provider before starting treatment with Levofloxacin and have regular follow-ups to monitor its effectiveness and any side effects. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe reactions or symptoms.

1 Clinical Trial Experience

Levofloxacin has demonstrated in vitro activity against a number of aerobic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and may carry some activity against certain species of anaerobic bacteria and other pathogens such as Chlamydia and Legionella. Resistance to levofloxacin may develop, and is generally due to mutations in DNA gyrase or topoisomerase IV, or via alterations to drug efflux. Cross-resistance may occur between levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones, but is unlikely to develop between levofloxacin and other antibiotic classes (e.g. macrolides) due to significant differences in chemical structure and mechanism of action. Let your healthcare provider know about all your diabetes medications, including insulin, as they may need to adjust your doses temporarily. Don’t stop taking your diabetes medications without talking to your doctor first.

7 Inhalational Anthrax (Post-Exposure)

The patients should be kept under observation and appropriate hydration should be maintained. In children older than 1 year, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems than it does in adults. Ophthalmic levofloxacin is used in the eye to treat bacterial infections of the eye. Based on the IDSA guideline for diagnosis and treatment of diabetic foot infections, levofloxacin, in combination with clindamycin, is an effective and recommended treatment option for diabetic foot infections. Based on the CDC sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, levofloxacin is an effective and recommended alternative agent in the treatment of cervicitis or urethritis due to C.

The 150 mL flexible container contains 750 mg/150 mL of levofloxacin solution. Because the premix flexible containers are for single-use only, any unused portion should be discarded. LEVAQUIN Injection is also supplied in flexible containers within a foil overwrap. This intravenous drug product should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration. For example, to prepare a 500 mg dose using the 20 mL vial (25 mg/mL), withdraw 20 mL and dilute with a compatible intravenous solution to a total volume of 100 mL. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit.

In clinical trials using multiple-dose therapy, ophthalmologic abnormalities, including cataracts and multiple punctate lenticular opacities, have been noted in patients undergoing treatment with quinolones, including levofloxacin. The relationship of the drugs to these events is not presently established. Before starting any treatment with Levofloxacin, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. This step ensures the medication is suitable for your specific condition and that any potential risks are thoroughly evaluated.

No levofloxacin crystals were found in any of the urine samples freshly collected from subjects receiving levofloxacin. The overall incidence, type and distribution of adverse reactions was similar in patients receiving levofloxacin doses of 750 mg once daily, 250 mg once daily, and 500 mg once or twice daily. Discontinuation of levofloxacin due to adverse drug reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients overall, 3.8% of patients treated with the 250 mg and 500 mg doses and 5.4% of patients treated with the 750 mg dose. The most common adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation with the 250 and 500 mg doses were gastrointestinal (1.4%), primarily nausea (0.6%); vomiting (0.4%); dizziness (0.3%); and headache (0.2%). The most common adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation with the 750 mg dose were gastrointestinal (1.2%), primarily nausea (0.6%), vomiting (0.5%); dizziness (0.3%); and headache (0.3%).

Pseudomembranous colitis can happen with many antibiotics, including levofloxacin tablets. Call your healthcare provider right away if you get watery diarrhea, diarrhea that does not go away, or bloody stools. Pseudomembranous colitis can happen 2 or more months after you have finished your antibiotic. Patients with a resistant pathogen, recurrent UTI, women over age 55 years, and with an indwelling catheter were initially excluded, prior to protocol amendment which took place after 30% of enrollment. Microbiological efficacy was measured by bacteriologic eradication of the baseline organism(s) at 1 to 12 days post-therapy in patients with a pathogen identified at baseline. Difficile produces toxins A and B which contribute to the development of CDAD.