Levofloxacin Fresenius Kabi
Levofloxacin Fresenius Kabi is an antibiotic medicine that kills bacteria causing infections in your body.
Form
infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
5 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Levofloxacin hemihydrate
Manufacturer
Fresenius Kabi AB
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose based on the type and severity of your infection, usually 500 mg once or twice a day.
Method
This medicine is given as a slow drip into a vein (an infusion) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital, usually taking 30 to 60 minutes.
Important
The maximum daily dose is typically 1000 mg.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Headache, dizziness
- •Feeling sick (nausea, vomiting), diarrhea
- •Higher levels of certain liver enzymes in blood tests
- •Reactions at the place where the medicine is given (infusion site)
- •Inflammation of a vein
RARE
- •Changes in other bacteria or fungi, like a yeast infection (Candida), which might need treatment
- •Changes in blood counts (white blood cells, platelets, red blood cells), low red blood cell count (anemia), bone marrow failure
- •Feeling stressed, confused, nervous, drowsy, or having tremors or spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •Shortness of breath, wheezing (bronchospasm)
- •Changes in taste or smell, loss of smell or taste
- •Loss of appetite, stomach pain or discomfort, indigestion, bloating, or constipation
- •Itching, rash, severe itching, hives, excessive sweating, or very severe skin reactions with blisters and peeling (like Stevens-Johnson syndrome or DRESS)
- •Joint or muscle pain, inflammation, or weakness, sometimes leading to tendon ruptures or difficulty walking
- •Abnormal blood tests for liver or kidney function, temporary kidney failure
- •General weakness or tiredness
- •Severe diarrhea with blood, stomach cramps, and high fever (signs of a serious bowel problem)
- •Seizures
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations, paranoia)
- •Depression, mental problems, agitation, unusual dreams or nightmares
- •Severe confusion in thinking and reduced awareness of surroundings (delirium)
- •Syndrome with poor urine output and low salt levels in the blood (SIADH)
- •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or low blood sugar leading to coma (hypoglycemic coma), important for diabetics
- •Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
- •Ringing in ears (tinnitus) or vision problems (blurry vision)
- •Unusually fast heartbeat (tachycardia) or low blood pressure (hypotension)
- •Fever
- •Memory loss
- •Loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, itching, or tender stomach (signs of liver problems, possibly severe liver failure)
- •Changes in thinking (psychotic reactions) with a risk of suicidal thoughts or attempts
- •Nausea, general unwellness, stomach problems, stomach pain, or vomiting (signs of sudden pancreas inflammation)
- •Circulatory failure (anaphylactic shock-like reaction)
- •High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), important for diabetics
- •Reduced or lost hearing
- •Temporary loss of vision
- •Abnormally fast heartbeat, life-threatening irregular heartbeat including cardiac arrest, or changes in heart rhythm (prolonged QT interval seen on ECG)
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to levofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics, or any ingredient in this medicine. Signs of an allergic reaction include rash, trouble swallowing or breathing, and swelling of your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever had epilepsy or seizures. This medicine can increase the risk of seizures.
- Tell your doctor if you have had tendon problems like inflammation or rupture. Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor if you experience tendon pain or swelling.
- This medicine should not be given to children or growing teenagers.
- Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Show 7 more warnings
- Avoid direct sunlight and sunbeds during treatment and for two days afterward, as your skin may burn or blister easily. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.
- If you develop pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in your hands or feet, stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away. These can be signs of nerve damage.
- Stop taking the medicine and get urgent medical help if you develop a severe rash, blisters, peeling skin, or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, genitals, or eyes, especially with fever or flu-like symptoms.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental health problems, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, or suicidal thoughts.
- If you have diabetes, this medicine can affect your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar and tell your doctor if it drops too low.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart problems, such as an irregular heartbeat, slow heart rate, heart failure, or a family history of heart issues. Your heart rate and blood pressure will be closely monitored during the infusion.
- Seek immediate emergency care if you experience sudden, severe pain in your stomach, chest, or back, as these can be signs of a serious aortic problem.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category D
Avoid use in older adults. Risk of QT prolongation. Reduce the dose and/or increase the dosing interval in moderately severe renal impairment. Calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and aluminium reduce absorption. Increases the risk of tendinitis and aortic injury and valvular heart disease. Consider central nervous system adverse effects, especially lowered seizure threshold and confusion. (updated 4.12.2023)