Levaquin

Levaquin is used for:

Treating infections caused by certain bacteria. It may also be used to prevent or slow anthrax after exposure.

Levaquin is a quinolone antibiotic. It works by killing sensitive bacteria.

Do NOT use Levaquin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Levaquin or to any other quinolone antibiotic (eg, ciprofloxacin)
• you have a certain type of irregular heartbeat (QT prolongation, long QT syndrome) or low blood potassium levels
• you are taking cisapride or certain antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Levaquin :

Some medical conditions may interact with Levaquin . Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of severe or persistent diarrhea, skin sensitivity to the sun, diabetes, low blood potassium levels, chest pain, angina, heart problems (eg, enlarged heart, heart failure), heart attack, irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation), or if you have a family member with a history of fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat (eg, QT prolongation)
• if you have a stomach infection, liver problems, brain or nervous system problems, muscle problems (eg, myasthenia gravis), increased pressure in the brain, Alzheimer disease, brain blood vessel problems, or a history of seizures
• if you have a history of bone, joint, or tendon problems; rheumatoid arthritis; liver problems; kidney problems or decreased kidney function; or heart, kidney, or lung transplant
• if you take corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or participate in strenuous physical work or exercise

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Levaquin . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol), arsenic, astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, haloperidol, imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), methadone, paliperidone, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), pimozide, ranolazine, serotonin receptor antagonists (eg, dolasetron), telithromycin, terfenadine, or ziprasidone because the risk of serious heart problems, including irregular heartbeat, may be increased
• Insulin or oral diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide) because the risk of high or low blood sugar may be increased
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because the risk of tendon problems may be increased
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of bleeding may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) or theophylline because the risk of serious side effects, including seizures, may be increased
• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Levaquin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Levaquin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.