Levofloxacin

Levaquin

Overview

Levaquin is an antibiotic commonly used in the US to remove bacterial pathogens responsible for respiratory, gastrointestinal and abdominal disorders. It also finds application in delivering relief from pneumonia, cellulitis, anthrax, tuberculosis, traveler's diarrhea, plague, meningitis, prostasis, endocarditis and inflammations in the pelvic region, etc.

Levaquin finds application in treating patients of pneumonia, particularly cases where vital organs are severely affected. The patient might be kept on a ventilator. But Levaquin is used so often in modern days that common bacteria like E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia have developed resistance to it. The trend exists in more than 20 per cent cases in many countries.

Mechanism

Neither Gram Positive nor Gram Negative bacteria are able to stand Levaquin. It prevents type II topoisomerase enzymes from performing their function. These enzymes are called topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase.

Topoisomerase IV is useful for DNA Replication, while DNA gyrase finds use in DNA Super coiling. These two activities are very useful in the process of bacterial reproduction. The bacteria dies as and when these two activities cease to exist.

This is how Levaquin Tablets are taken

Levaquin is sold in the form of tablets, injections or oral solutions. The tablet form is ingested with a glass of lukewarm water on an empty stomach or even on a full-stomach. The liquid form should be consumed one or two hours before or after meals. Care should be taken to calibrate the quantity with a proper medicine-cup or measuring-spoon.

Injections of Levaquin are administered intravenously with a gap of ninety to sixty minutes. Levaquin is also available in the form of drops for administration to the ear or eye. In all cases, the physician's recommendation should be strictly adhered to.

Be sure to stay hydrated by taking in lots of water when on a dose of Levaquin. The medicine should be stored in a cool and dry place at room temperature. The liquid form o f Levaquin should be secured in a tight container like a bottle. When using Levaquin in the form of drops, be sure to dispose of the unused vials within a week, while the injections format should be used immediately.

But Levaquin does have certain side-effects. There could be a rupturing of tendons, severe headache, dizziness along with a pain in the chest, stomach-ache, appetite-loss, dark-colored urine and stool, shortness of breath, diarrhea, flu and skin rashes, hallucinations, insomnia, seizure, etc. There could even be constipation or a bout of loose-motion along with some dizziness or a headache.

Precautions

• Levaquin should not be tried out without the doctor’s recommendation.
• Those who have crossed the age of sixty and are on steroids are more likely to get tendons ruptured when on a dose of Levaquin.
• Levaquin should not be prescribed to individuals with muscle disorders or to those with a family history of myasthenia gravis.
• Pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid using Levaquin.
• A dose of Levaquin should never be combined with Antacids with aluminum or magnesium or vitamin/mineral supplements with aluminum, iron, zinc, or magnesium.