Levofloxacin(lee voe flox’ a sin)
Levaquin
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antibiotic
Fluoroquinolone
Therapeutic Actions
Bactericidal: Interferes with DNA by inhibiting DNA gyrase replication in susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, preventing cell reproduction.
Indications
Treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia, bacterial sinusitis caused by susceptible bacteria including multidrug resistant strains
Treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis caused by susceptible bacteria
Treatment of complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria
Treatment of complicated and uncomplicated UTIs and acute pyelonephritis caused by susceptible bacteria
Treatment of complicated UTIs caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Proteus mirabilis and acute pyelonephritis caused by E. coli
Treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis caused by E. coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus
Treatment of nosocomial pneumonia due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas strains, Serratia, E. coli, Klebsiella, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae
Treatment of postexposure inhalational anthrax
Prophylaxis and treatment of plague due to Yersinia pestis in patients 6 mo and older
Unlabeled uses: Epididymitis, gonococcal infection, infective endocarditis, TB, traveler’s diarrhea
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to fluoroquinolones, lactation, myasthenia gravis, tendinitis, tendon rupture.
Use cautiously with renal impairment, seizures, pregnancy.
Available Forms
Tablets—250, 500, 750 mg; oral solution—25 mg/mL; injection—5 mg/mL; injection concentrate—25 mg/mL
Dosages
Adults
Community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg daily PO or IV for 7–14 days.
Sinusitis: 500 mg daily PO or IV for 10–14 days or 750 mg/day PO or IV for 5 days.
Chronic bronchitis: 500 mg daily PO or IV for 7 days.
Skin infection: 500–750 mg daily PO or IV for 7–14 days.
UTIs: 250 mg daily PO or IV for 3–10 days; complicated, 750 mg/day PO or IV for 5 days.
Pyelonephritis: 250 mg daily PO or IV for 10 days or 750 mg PO or IV for 5 days.
Nosocomial pneumonia: 750 mg daily PO or IV for 7–14 days.
Chronic prostatitis: 500 mg/day PO for 28 days or 500 mg/day by slow IV infusion over 60 min for 28 days.
Postexposure anthrax: 500 mg/day PO or IV for 60 days.
Plague: 500 mg/day PO for 10–14 days.
Pediatric patients
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