Composition
Cap/Tab 250 mg/500 mg/750 mg: Levofloxacin (as levofloxacin hemihydrate) 250 mg/500 mg/750 mg. Inj 250 mg/500 mg: Per ml: Levofloxacin 2.5 mg/5 mg; soln.
Indications & Dosage
Acute sinusitis: ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 10-14 days. Acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days. Community-acquired pneumonia, Nosocomial Pneumonia: ORAL: Adult: 500-750 mg 1-2 times a day for 7-14 days. BY IV INF: Adult: 500 mg 1-2 times a day, to be given over at least60 minutes for 7-14 days. Urinary-tract infections: ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days. Urinary-tract infections (uncomplicated): ORAL: Adult: 250 mg once daily for 3 days. Complicated urinary-tract infections, Acute Pyelonephritis: BY IV INF: Adult: 500 mg once daily, to be given over at least60 minutes. Chronic prostatitis: ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 28 days. BY IV INF: Adult: 500 mg once daily, to be given over at least 60 minutes. Complicated skin infections, Complicated soft-tissue infections: ORAL: Adult: 500-750 mg 1-2 times a day for 7-14 days. BY IV INF: Adult: 500-750 mg 1-2 times a day, to be given over at least60 minutes Inhalation of anthrax (treatment and post-exposure prophylaxis): ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 8 weeks BY IV INF: Adult: 500 mg once daily, to be given over at least 60 minutes. Lower Respiratory Infection, Upper Respiratory Infection, Sinusitis: ORAL: Adult: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days or 750 mg once daily for 5 days. BY IV INF: Adult: 500-750 mg once daily, to be given over at least60 minutes for 5-7 days. Children: Not recommended.
Administration
Infuse IV solution over 60 min. Too rapid infusion can lead to hypotension. Avoid administration through an intravenous line with a solution containing multivalent cations (i.e., magnesium, calcium).
Compatibility
Stable in D5LR, D5NS, D5W, NS; incompatible with mannitol 20%, sodium bicarbonate 5%. Y-site administration:See drug to drug compatibility chart
Stability
Stable for 72 hours when diluted to 5 mg/ml in a compatible IV fluid. Store at room temperature, stable for 14 days when stored under refrigeration, stable for 6 months when frozen. Do not refreeze.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to levofloxacin or ofloxacin, tendon disorders.
Precautions
Avoid excessive alkalinity of urine and ensure adequate fluid intake (risk of crystalluria). Risk factor for QTinterval prolongation; caution advised in conditions such as: Acute myocardial infarction, bradycardia, congenital long QT syndrome, electrolyte disturbances, heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, history of symptomatic arrhythmias. Risk of arthropathy in children and adolescents; evaluate risk/benefit ratio before treatment initiation, history of tendon disorder, epilepsy, history to CNS disorder, renal impairment, myasthenia gravis and elderly. Avoid prolonged exposure to UV. Discontinue treatment if psychiatric, neurological, or hypersensitivity reactions (including severe rash) occur.
Interactions
Iron, antacids, sucralfate, NSAIDs, fenbufen, probenecid, cimetidine, corticosteroids.
Pregnancy
Contraindicated
Lactation
Contraindicated
Side Effects
Diarrhoea, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, anxiety, arthralgia, asthenia, blood disorders, confusion, depression, disturbances in taste, hearing, smell and vision, dyspepsia, eosinophilia, hallucinations, leucopenia, myalgia, rash, sleep disturbances, thrombocytopenia, tremor. Rare: antibiotic-associated colitis, convulsions, dyspnea, hepatic dysfunction, hepatitis, hypotension, interstitial nephritis, jaundice, photosensitivity, psychoses, renal failure, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, tendon damage and inflammation (discontinue), vasculitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis