Levofloxacin is an antibiotic drug that is useful for treating diseases caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, sinusitis, prostatitis, conjunctivitis, urinary tract infections, and skin infections. This drug is available in the form of tablets, eye drops , and intravenous fluids .
Levofloxacin works by inhibiting enzymes needed by bacteria to multiply. That way, bacterial growth can be inhibited and the immune system can kill any remaining bacteria.
In addition to treating the above diseases, levofloxacin is also used to treat and prevent anthrax and bubonic plague . Keep in mind that levofloxacin is not used to treat infections caused by viruses, such as the flu or the common cold .
Levofloxacin trademarks: Cravit, Cravox, Cendo LFX, Difloxin, Farlev, Inacid, Lefos, Levofloxacin, Levofloxacin hemihydrate, Lekuicin, Levocin, Lovequin, Nislev, Optiflox, Prolecin, Rinfox, Simlev, Zenilev, and Zidalev.
What is Levofloxacin
| class | Quinolone class of antibiotics |
| Category | Prescription drug |
| Benefit | Treating bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, sinusitis, prostate infections, pneumonia , skin infections, anthrax, and bubonic plague. |
| Consumed by | Adults and children ≥6 months of age |
| Levofloxacin for pregnant and lactating women |
Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.
Levofloxacin can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, eye drops and intravenous fluids. |
Precautions Before Using Levofloxacin
Levofloxacin can only be used with a doctor's prescription. There are several things that need to be considered before using this antibiotic, including:
- Do not take levofloxacin if you are allergic to it or to another quinolone class of antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are having heart failure, slow heart rate, diabetes , kidney disease, hypertension, aortic aneurysm, depression, seizures, epilepsy , liver disease, hypokalemia , or a nervous disorder, such as peripheral neuropathy.
- Tell your doctor if you have any genetic disorders, such as G6PD , Marvan syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or disorders of the joints and muscles, such as arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, or myasthenia gravis .
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had an organ transplant.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications, supplements, or herbal products you are currently taking.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to get vaccinated while having levofloxacin, because this medication may interfere with the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines, such as the typhoid vaccine or cholera vaccine.
- Tell your doctor if you plan to have an e- urine test to detect opioid class drugs, because levofloxacin can give a false positive result on this test.
- Do not immediately drive a vehicle, operate heavy machinery, or do activities that require alertness after using levofloxacin, because this drug can cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or overdose after using levofloxacin.
Dosage and Rules for Use Levofloxacin
The dosage and duration of treatment will be determined by the doctor according to the condition and disease that the patient is suffering from. Especially for children, the dose will be adjusted according to the patient's weight (BB) and the doctor's recommendation.
The following is the distribution of levofloxacin doses based on the form of the drug and the condition you want to treat:
Levofloxacin tablets
Condition: Pneumonia
- Adult: 500 mg, 1–2 times daily, for 7–14 days.
Condition: Cystitis or inflammation of the bladder
- Adult: 250 mg once daily for 3 days.
Condition: Urinary tract infection accompanied by complications
- Adult: 500 mg once daily for 7–14 days
Condition: Acute sinusitis
- Adult: 500 mg once daily for 10–14 days
Conditions: Recurrent chronic bronchitis , kidney infection ( pyelonephritis )
- Adult: 500 mg once daily for 7–10 days.
Condition: Chronic prostatitis
- Adult: 500 mg once daily for 28 days.
Condition: Anthrax disease
- Adult: 500 mg once daily for 8 weeks.
- Children aged ≥6 years <50 kg body weight: 8 mg/kg up to a maximum of 250 mg twice daily. Duration of treatment 60 days.
- Children aged ≥6 years with weight ≥50 kg: 500 mg, once a day. Duration of treatment 60 days.
Levofloxacin eye drops
Condition: Conjunctivitis
- Adult: 1–2 drops every 2 hours (maximum 8 times per day) for the first 1–2 days. Days three to five, the frequency is reduced to 1-2 drops, 4 times a day.
Condition: Corneal infection ( infectious keratitis )
- Adult: 1–2 drops every 30 minutes or every 1–4 hours.
Levofloxacin infusion
Conditions: Pneumonia, complicated skin and soft tissue infections, complicated urinary tract infections, severe pyelonephritis, chronic prostatitis, anthrax disease
- 500 mg per day, given by infusion. The duration of treatment varies, ranging from 7-28 days, depending on the disease you want to treat.
How to Use Levofloxacin Properly
Levofloxacin in the form of an infusion will be given directly by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor. Follow the doctor's recommendations while undergoing treatment with levofloxacin infusion.
For levofloxacin tablets and eye drops, follow your doctor's advice and read the information on the package before using them. The following is a guide on how to use levofloxacin based on the type of drug:
Levofloxacin tablets
Levofloxacin tablets can be taken before or after meals. Swallow the tablet with plain water. Do not chew or crush the tablets. It is recommended to drink lots of water so that the kidneys continue to function properly while taking levofloxacin.
If the dose is once a day, it is best to take this drug in the morning. If prescribed more than once a day, make sure there is sufficient time between doses or adjust according to the doctor's advice.
Make sure to finish the entire dose of medicine prescribed by the doctor even if you feel better. This is important to prevent the infection from returning. If symptoms do not improve after finishing the drug, see a doctor immediately.
Antacids and sucralfate , as well as multivamin containing zinc, or iron, can interfere with the absorption and performance of levofloxacin. Avoid using these drugs 2 hours before and after using levofloxacin.
Levofloxacin eye drops
Wash your hands before using levofloxacin eye drops. Next, tilt your head, then pull the lower eyelid to form a pocket with one hand, and drip the medicine with the other hand.
Don't blink for a few seconds. After that, close your eyes for 1–2 minutes so that the medicine seeps into the infected area. If you feel that the drops have not entered the eye properly, feel free to drip the medicine again.
If you forget to use levofloxacin, it is recommended to do it immediately if the break with the next scheduled use is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the next dose.
Skin and eyes may become more sensitive when exposed to sunlight while using levofloxacin. Use closed clothing, apply sunscreen , and wear glasses to protect yourself if you want to do activities outside the home.
Levofloxacin Interactions with Other Drugs
The use of levofloxacin together with certain drugs can cause interaction effects in the form of:
- Increased risk of central nervous system disorders and seizures if used with drugs that can affect the seizure threshold, such as theophylline and NSAID class drugs
- Increased risk of tendon damage if used with corticosteroid class drugs
- Increased risk of heart rhythm disturbances when used with antiarrhythmic drugs , tricyclic antidepressants, macrolide antibiotics and antipsychotics .
- Increased risk of bleeding when used with warfarin
- Instability of blood sugar levels when used with anti-diabetic drugs, such as insulin or glibenclamide
Levofloxacin Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that may arise after using levofloxacin are:
- Nauseous vomit
- Digestive disorders, such as heartburn , diarrhea, and constipation
- Dizzy
- Headache
- Sleep disorders
- Vagina itching and or discharge from the vagina
- The eyes feel hot, sore, and more sensitive after using levofloxacin eye drops
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't improve or get worse. Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects, such as:
- Tendon damage, which can be characterized by joint swelling, pain, and difficulty moving
- Hands and feet have tingling, numbness, pain and weakness, or an inability to feel pain, touch, or changes in temperature
- Tremors
- seizures
- Blurred vision
- Mood and behavior changes, such as anxiety, confusion, impaired memory, depression, hallucinations , or thoughts of self-harm
- Fever
- Sudden pain in the chest, stomach, or back
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
- The color of the skin and eyes becomes yellow, pale, the urine is dark in color, and the stool is pale in color
- Easy bruising or bleeding for no apparent reason
- Sunburn , which can be characterized by peeling or blistering skin
- Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat