What is levaquin?

Levaquin is antimicrobial medicine from the group of fluoroquinolones of the 3d generation. The main active ingredient of this medication is Levofloxacin.

Levofloxacin is a medicine with broad spectrum antibacterial activity which is effective in the treatment of more than 40 causative agents of infection. It affects infections bactericidal both at the active phase and development, and at rest.

The bactericidal action of Levaquin is conditioned by the intervention of Levofloxacin into DNA of bacteria and destruction of the cellular structure of the morbific microorganisms. These structural changes which happen as a result of the Levaquin action block the possibility of bacteria to develop and stimulate the disease development.

Therapeutic effect of Levaquin happens within 5-7 days but the treatment may last longer depending on the type of the infection. Levofloxacin is excreted through kidneys, and therefore the antibiotic should be taken with cautious in case of the chronic diseases of kidneys.

One of the main advantages of Levaquin before antibiotics of other groups is a poor resistance of microorganisms to fluoroquinolones. If the causative type of the infection is unknown, the most optimal choice of the disease treatment will be Levaquin.

What diseases is Levaquin prescribed for? 

Levaquin can be taken for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the infectious origin:

• HENT: pharyngitis, sinusitis
• Respiratory system: pneumonia, bronchitis (including chronic)
• Digestive tract
• Organs of urinary tract: pyelonephritis, cystitis, prostatitis
• Skin and mucous membranes

What dose of Levaquin is taken?

The dosage regimen and scheme of the treatment of the infectious disease with Levaquin depends on the type of the causative agent, symptoms severity, and reaction of the body to the use of this medication. If the type of the causative agent is unknown, patients are prescribed a standard dose of Levaquin.

• Levaquin pills are taken 1-2 times per day, between meals
• Treating infectious diseases of HENT and organs of the respiratory system, adult patients are prescribed 1 pill of Levaquin 500 mg once per day within 10 days
• Treating the skin inflammatory infections, it is recommended to take 1 pill of Levaquin 500 mg 2 times per day, within 7-14 days
• For the infectious inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract patients are prescribed 1 pill of Levaquin 500 mg 2 times per day within 3-5 days
• Treating the infectious prostatitis, men are prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin per day within 4 weeks.

 

Precautions

• Children and persons under 18 years old are contraindicated to take Levaquin because of the high probability of the side effects.
• Levaquin is contraindicated during epilepsy, intolerance of quinolones, and separate ingredients of the medication
• There are medical data about the potential development of pathologies of fetus during the use of Levaquin during pregnancy. According to the results of this data, the use of the antibiotic is strictly prohibited during pregnancy and lactation period.
• If the symptoms of the liver dysfunctions such as poor appetite, hepatitis, urine dimming, itching, or sensitivity of the abdominal wall during palpation appear, Levaquin is cancelled.

Possible side effects

In spite of the many advantages of fluoroquinolones as to the causative agents of the infection, a big drawback is a lot of side effects.

Taking Levaquin in low doses, the probability of the side effects is low. But in case of the increased daily dose, patients may have the following side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Increased liver enzymes
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Allergic skin reactions
• Seizures
• Hallucinations

Consult a doctor if side effects appeared.