Levofloxacin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Levofloxacin is a quinolone antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Levofloxacin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Levofloxacin or any other quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin)
• you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation; long QT syndrome) or low blood potassium levels
• you are taking cisapride or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Levofloxacin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Levofloxacin. Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you or a family member have a history of fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; chest pain; angina; or heart attack
• if you have other heart problems (eg, heart failure, enlarged heart), diabetes, kidney problems, tendon problems (eg, inflammation), or Alzheimer disease
• if you have narrowed or hardened blood vessels in the brain, increased pressure in the brain, nervous system problems, or a history of seizures (eg, epilepsy)
• if you sunburn easily or you will be in the sun for a prolonged period of time

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Levofloxacin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, sotalol, procainamide, quinidine), arsenic, astemizolecisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, haloperidol, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), methadone, paliperidone, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, ranolazine, serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), telithromycin, terfenadine, or ziprasidone because the risk of serious heart problems, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Insulin or oral diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of tendon problems may be increased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) or theophylline because the risk of serious side effects, including seizures, may be increased
• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Levofloxacin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Levofloxacin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Levofloxacin :

Use Levofloxacin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Levofloxacin. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Levofloxacin is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
• Levofloxacin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Levofloxacin at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Levofloxacin. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• Do not use Levofloxacin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
• Levofloxacin works best if it is used at the same time each day.
• To clear up your infection completely, use Levofloxacin for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
• Do not miss any doses of Levofloxacin. If you miss a dose of Levofloxacin , use it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Levofloxacin.

Important safety information:

• Levofloxacin may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Levofloxacin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Contact your doctor right away if stomach pain or cramps, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools occur. Do not treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor.
• Levofloxacin only works against bacteria; it does not treat viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Be sure to use Levofloxacin for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The bacteria could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Long-term or repeated use of Levofloxacin may cause a second infection. Tell your doctor if signs of a second infection occur. Your medicine may need to be changed to treat this.
• Tendon problems have been reported with Levofloxacin. Some of these problems have been severe. Contact your doctor right away if you develop pain or swelling of a joint or tendon.
• Levofloxacin may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Levofloxacin. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• If you are scheduled to receive a typhoid vaccine while you are taking Levofloxacin , talk with your doctor. Levofloxacin may decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine.
• Diabetes patients - Levofloxacin may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Levofloxacin may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Levofloxacin.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, and complete blood counts, may be performed while you use Levofloxacin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Levofloxacin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially tendon problems and irregular heartbeat.
• Levofloxacin should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed. Children may also be more sensitive to joint and tendon problems.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Levofloxacin while you are pregnant. Levofloxacin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Levofloxacin.

Possible side effects of Levofloxacin :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; gas; lightheadedness; nausea; stomach pain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody stools; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; decreased or painful urination; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; hoarseness; joint or muscle pain or weakness; mental or mood changes (eg, depression, anxiety, paranoia); new or worsening nightmares, restlessness, or trouble sleeping; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, or weakness; severe sunburn; shortness of breath; stomach pain/cramps; suicidal thoughts or actions; symptoms of high or low blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; fast breathing; flushing; dizziness; fainting; increased sweating; vision changes); symptoms of nerve problems (eg, unusual pain, burning, tingling, or numbness; changes in perception or heat or cold; decreased sensation of touch); tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; vaginal discharge, irritation, or odor; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.

Other Useful Information:

Calcium: A mineral found mainly in the hard part of bones, where it is stored. Calcium is added to bones by cells called osteoblasts and is removed from bones by cells called osteoclasts. Calcium is essential for healthy bones. It is also important for muscle contraction, heart action, nervous system maintenance, and normal blood clotting. Food sources of calcium include dairy foods, some leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and collards, canned salmon, clams, oysters, calcium-fortified foods, and tofu. According to the National Academy of Sciences, adequate intake of calcium is 1,200 milligrams a day (four glasses of milk) for men and women 51 and older, 1,000 milligrams a day for adults 19 through 50, and 1,300 milligrams a day for children 9 through 18. The upper limit for calcium intake is 2.5 grams daily.

Cavities: Holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient. Larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet - causing toothache.

Naturopathy: A system of therapy based on preventative care, and on the use of heat, water, light, air, and massage as primary therapies for disease. Some naturopaths use no medications, either pharmaceutical or herbal. Some recommend herbal remedies only. A few who are licensed to prescribe may recommend pharmaceuticals in those cases where they feel their use is warranted.

Naturopathy is an American healthcare profession. It was founded in the US as a formal healthcare system at the turn of the 20th century by medical practitioners from various natural therapeutic disciplines. By the early 1900s, more than 20 naturopathic medical schools existed, and naturopathic physicians were licensed in most States. Today there are more than 1,000 licensed naturopathic doctors in the US.

As practiced today, naturopathic medicine integrates traditional natural therapeutics -- including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, traditional oriental medicine, hydrotherapy, and naturopathic manipulative therapy -- with modern scientific medical diagnostic science and standards of care. The medical research base of naturopathic practice consists of empirical documentation of treatments using case history observations, medical records, and summaries of practitioners' clinical experiences.

At present, the two accredited naturopathic medical schools in the US have active research departments. Naturopathic researchers have investigated the pharmacology and physiological effects of nutritional and natural therapeutic agents, and naturopathic physicians have been active in the investigation of new homeopathic remedies and in the natural treatment of women's health problems. The most recently completed naturopathic study in women's health tested the clinical and endocrine effects of a botanical formula as an alternative to estrogen replacement therapy.

Blood: The familiar red fluid in the body that contains white and red blood cells, platelets, proteins, and other elements. The blood is transported throughout the body by the circulatory system. Blood functions in two directions: arterial and venous. Arterial blood is the means by which oxygen and nutrients are transported to tissues while venous blood is the means by which carbon dioxide and metabolic by-products are transported to the lungs and kidneys, respectively, for removal from the body.

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It's measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts and lowest. A blood pressure cuff is used to measure the pressure. Elevation of blood pressure is called "hypertension".

Brain: That part of the central nervous system that is located within the cranium (skull). The brain functions as the primary receiver, organizer and distributor of information for the body. It has two (right and left) halves called "hemispheres."

Disease: Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.

Doctor: In a medical context, any medical professional with an MD, a PhD, or any other doctoral degree. The term doctor is quite nonspecific. A doctor may, for example, be a physician, psychologist, biomedical scientist, dentist, or veterinarian. In a nonmedical context, a professor of history might be addressed as doctor, an eminent theologian might be named a doctor of a church, and a person awarded an honorary doctorate by a college or university might also be called a doctor.

The word "doctor" comes from the Latin "docere" meaning to teach. A doctor was a teacher, especially a learned or authoritative one.