Levoxin 125 mg/5 ml

INDICATIONS

Levofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated micro-organisms in the condition listed below:

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis. ... Read moreLevofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated micro-organisms in the condition listed below:

Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.
Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.
Community-acquired pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Uncomplicated & complicated urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Acute pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli.
Uncomplicated & complicated skin and soft tissue infections including abscesses, cellulitis, furuncles, impetigo, pyoderma, wound infections, due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis or Enterococcus faecalis.
Enteric infections caused by Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Campylobacter sp., Vibrio cholerae, Shigella sp., Salmonella sp.

PHARMACOLOGY

Levofloxacin is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, third generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Chemically, Levofloxacin is a chiral fluorinated carboxyquinolone. Levofloxacin exerts antibacterial action by inhibiting bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase, the enzymes required for DNA replication, transcription repair and recombination. It has in vitro activity against a wide range of gm-ve and gm+ve microorganisms.

DOSAGE

The usual dose of Levofloxacin Tablets is 250 mg or 500 mg or 750 mg administered orally every 24 hours. Levofloxacin tablets can be administered without regard to food. Levofloxacin oral solution should be taken 1 hour before, or  2 hours after eating.Levofloxacin injection should only be administered by intravenous infusion. It is not for intramuscular, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. The usual dose of Levofloxacin injection is 250 mg or 500 mg administered by slow infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours or 750 mg administered by slow infusion over 90 minutes every 24 hours. Since the Levofloxacin injections are for single-use only, any unused portion should be discarded. Additives or other medications should not be added to Levofloxacin Injection or infused simultaneously through the same intravenous line.Adults:

Acute sinusitis: 500 mg once daily for 10-14 days, or 750 mg once daily for 5 days
Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 500 mg once daily for 7 days, or 750 mg once daily for 3 days (Uncomplicated), 750 mg once daily for 5 days (Complicated)
Community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days, or 750 mg once daily for 5 days
Uncomplicated urinary-tract infections: 250 mg once daily for 3 days
Complicated urinary-tract infections and acute pyelonephritis: 250 mg once daily for 7-10 days
Uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infections: 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days.
Complicated skin and soft-tissue infections: 750 mg once daily for 7-14 days.
Enteric fever: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days.
Diarrhea, cholera, shigellosis & enteritis: Mild to moderate case: 500 mg (single dose). Moderate to sever case: 500 mg once daily for 3 days

Children:

Children 6 months to <5 years: 10 mg/kg every 12 hours.
Children >5 years: 10 mg/kg every 24 hours

In each case, sequential therapy (intravenous to oral) may be instituted at the discretion of the physician.

INTERACTION

No quinolone should be co-administered with any solution containing multivalent cations, e.g., magnesium, through the same intravenous line. Antacids, Iron and Adsorbents reduce absorption of Levofloxacin. NSAID may increase the risk of CNS stimulation. Warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.

SIDE EFFECTS

Levofloxacin is generally well tolerated. However, a few side-effects can usually be seen. There is a risk of retinal detachment. Other side-effects include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence and rare occurrence of phototoxicity (0.1%). Side-effects that may be seen very rarely include tremors, depression, anxiety, confusion etc.

PREGNANCY & LACTATION

Levofloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.

PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS

The following measures should be taken during administration of Levofloxacin:

Levofloxacin Injection should only be administered by slow intravenous infusion over a period of 60 or 90 minutes depending on the dosage.
While administrating Levofloxacin, adequate amount of water should be taken to avoid concentrated form of urine.
Dose adjustment should be exercised during Levofloxacin administration in presence of renal insufficiency.

THERAPEUTIC CLASS

4-Quinolone preparations

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.