Levofloxacin Noridem
Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that kills bacteria and treats various infections in the body.
Form
infuusioneste, liuos
Strength
5 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Levofloxacin hemihydrate
Manufacturer
Noridem Enterprises Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will decide your dose, usually 500 mg once or twice a day, depending on your infection.
Method
This medicine is given as an injection into a vein (intravenous infusion) by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. A 250 mg dose takes at least 30 minutes, and a 500 mg dose takes at least 60 minutes.
Important
The maximum daily dose is usually 1000 mg (two 500 mg doses).
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Trouble sleeping
- •Headache, dizziness
- •Feeling sick (nausea, vomiting), diarrhea, stomach pain, indigestion, bloating, constipation, loss of appetite
- •Feeling stressed (anxiety), confusion, nervousness, sleeplessness, tremors, spinning sensation (vertigo)
- •Itching, skin rash, severe itching, hives, excessive sweating
- •Joint or muscle pain
- •Changes in blood cell counts (white blood cells), or fungal infections (like Candida)
- •Reactions at the injection site, vein inflammation
- •Increased levels of certain liver enzymes in blood tests
- •General weakness
RARE
- •Severe allergic reaction with rash, trouble swallowing or breathing, and swelling of lips, face, throat, or tongue (stop taking immediately and seek medical help)
- •Pain and inflammation in tendons or ligaments, which can lead to rupture (often affects the Achilles tendon)
- •Seizures
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations, paranoia), feeling very depressed or restless, abnormal dreams or nightmares, severe mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts or actions
- •Widespread severe skin rash, high body temperature, elevated liver enzymes, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes, and effects on other body organs (DRESS or severe drug hypersensitivity syndrome). Also severe rashes like Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, with red, target-like spots, blisters, and sores in mouth, throat, nose, genitals, and eyes.
- •Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or very high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), potentially leading to coma (important for diabetics)
- •Burning, tingling, pain, or numbness in the limbs (signs of nerve damage)
- •Loss of appetite, yellow skin and eyes, dark urine, itching, or tender belly (signs of liver problems, including liver failure)
- •Bruising or easy bleeding due to low platelets, low white blood cells, anemia (pale skin, yellow skin due to red cell destruction), bone marrow failure (fatigue, increased infections, uncontrolled bleeding), persistent fever or sore throat (very low white blood cells)
- •Unusual fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, dangerous irregular heartbeat including cardiac arrest (visible on EKG)
- •Hearing problems (ringing in ears, loss of hearing), vision problems (blurred vision, temporary loss of vision, eye inflammation), changes in smell or taste, loss of smell or taste
- •Severe nausea, feeling unwell, stomach discomfort or severe/persistent stomach pain, vomiting (signs of pancreas inflammation)
- •Muscle breakdown and damage
- •Sudden involuntary movements, muscle twitching or spasms
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and UV light (photosensitivity), or dark skin patches
- •Persistent headache with or without blurred vision (benign intracranial hypertension)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to levofloxacin, other quinolone antibiotics, or any ingredient in this medicine. Symptoms include rash, trouble swallowing or breathing, and swelling of lips, face, throat, or tongue.
- Do not take if you have ever had epilepsy or seizures.
- Do not take if you have ever had tendon problems related to taking an antibiotic.
- Do not take if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or if the patient is a child or growing teenager.
- Stop taking and tell your doctor immediately if you get severe skin rash, blistering, or mouth sores.
Show 4 more warnings
- Talk to your doctor if you experience mental health problems, including suicidal thoughts, confusion, or anxiety.
- Talk to your doctor if you have heart problems, especially if you have a slow heart rate, weak heart, or irregular heartbeat.
- Stop taking and tell your doctor immediately if you get symptoms of nerve damage like pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your limbs.
- Talk to your doctor if you have or have a family history of an enlarged or weakened main blood vessel (aorta aneurysm or dissection) or leaking heart valves.