Alevo

Levofloxacin hemihydrate

Acute bacterial sinusitis, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated skin & soft tissue infections. Pyelonephritis & complicated UTI; chronic bacterial prostatitis, uncomplicated cystitis. Post exposure prophylaxis & curative treatment in inhalation anthrax.

Acute bacterial sinusitis 500 mg once daily for 10-14 days. Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days/ Community-acquired pneumonia 500 mg once daily or bid for 7-14 days. Pyelonephritis 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days. Uncomplicated cystitis 250 mg once daily for 3 days. Complicated UTI 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days. Chronic bacterial prostatitis 500 mg once daily for 28 days. Complicated skin & soft tissue infections 500 mg once daily or bid for 7-14 days. Inhalation anthrax 500 mg once daily for 8 wk. Patient w/ impaired renal function (CrCl 20-50 mL/min) 250 mg/24 hr: Initially 250 mg then 125 mg every 24 hr. 500 mg/24 hr: Initially 500 mg then 250 mg every 24 hr. 500 mg/12 hr: Initially 500 mg then 250 mg every 12 hr, 10-19 mL/min 250 mg/24 hr: Initially 250 mg then 125 mg every 48 hr. 500 mg/24 hr: Initially 500 mg then 125 mg every 24 hr. 500 mg/12 hr: Initially 500 mg then 125 mg every 12 hr; <10 mL/min (including haemodialysis & CAPD) 250 mg/24 hr: Initially 250 mg then 125 mg every 48 hr. 500 mg/24 hr: Initially 500 mg then 125 mg every 24 hr. 500 mg/12 hr: Initially 500 mg then 125 mg every 24 hr.

Should be taken with food: Do not crush. May be divided at the score line.

Hypersensitivity to levofloxacin or other quinolones. Epilepsy; history of tendon disorders related to fluoroquinolone administration. Pregnancy & lactation. Childn & growing adolescents.

Hypersensitivity reactions eg, angioedema, anaphylactic shock). Not recommended for the treatment of known or suspected MRSA infections unless lab results have confirmed susceptibility of the organism to levofloxacin. Increased risk of tendinitis & tendon rupture in patients >60 yr, those receiving daily doses of 1,000 mg & those using corticosteroids. Consider the diagnosis of C. difficile-associated disease in patients who develop serious diarrhoea during or after treatment. Patients predisposed to seizures or concomitant treatment w/ active substances that lower the cerebral seizure threshold eg, theophylline. G6PD patients. SJS or TEN. Disturbances in blood glucose; monitor blood glucose in diabetic patients. Avoid exposure to strong sunlight or artificial UV rays (eg, sunray lamp or solarium) during treatment & for 48 hr following discontinuation. Concomitant use w/ vit K antagonists. Psychotic patients or in patients w/ a history of psychiatric disease. Patients w/ risk factors for QT interval prolongation eg, congenital long QT syndrome, concomitant use w/ drugs known to prolong QT interval (eg, class IA & III antiarrhythmics, TCAs, macrolides, antipsychotics), uncorrected electrolyte imbalance, cardiac disease (eg, heart failure, MI, bradycardia). Peripheral neuropathy. Discontinue treatment if signs & symptoms of hepatic disease develop eg, anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, pruritus, or tender abdomen. Exacerbation of myasthenia gravis. Vision disorders. Superinfection (especially if prolonged). May give false +ve results in determination of opiates in urine; false -ve in bacterial diagnosis of TB. May impair ability to drive & use machines. Renal impairment. Must not be used during pregnancy & lactation.

Insomnia; headache, dizziness; diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea; increased ALT/AST, alkaline phosphatase, CGT.

Reduced absorption w/ Fe salts, Mg- or Al-containing antacids, or didanosine formulations w/ Al- or Mg-containing buffering agents. Reduced oral absorption w/ Zn. Reduced bioavailability w/ sucralfate. Pronounced lowering of the cerebral seizure threshold w/ theophylline, NSAIDs, or other agents which lower the seizure threshold. Reduced renal clearance w/ cimetidine & probenecid. Increased t_½ of ciclosporin. Increased PT/INR &/or bleeding w/ vit K antagonist (eg, warfarin). Drugs known to prolong QT interval (eg, class IA & III antiarrhythmics, TCAs, macrolides, antipsychotics).

Quinolones

J01MA12 - levofloxacin ; Belongs to the class of fluoroquinolones. Used in the systemic treatment of infections.

Rx