Levaquin Information

Levaquin

Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of different infections in adults, including: Sinus infections , Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Skin infections, Urinary tract infections, Kidney infections and Prostate infections.

Levaquin is also approved to prevent infection after exposure to inhaled anthrax in adults and children. Levaquin is approved for treating the infections listed above only when they are caused by certain types of bacteria. Not all bacteria will respond to Levaquin. Also, bacteria have different resistance patterns in different regions of the country. This means that some bacteria may be susceptible to Levaquin in certain parts of the country but not in others.
Levaquin is completely ineffective for treating viral illnesses (such as the common cold or the flu).

Levaquin is a "broad spectrum" antibiotic, which means it is effective against a wide variety of different types of bacteria. It is often used to treat an infection while tests are being done to see which antibiotics are effective for treating a specific infection. If the results of such tests show that an antibiotic with a narrower spectrum of activity will be effective, your healthcare provider may choose to switch you to such an antibiotic. Doing so may help limit antibacterial resistance, since overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics may increase the risk of developing bacteria that are resistant to medications.

What's inside Levaquin

Recent Levaquin Side Effects

Posted by uscagrad about 6 hours ago
I've only read one page of these posts and I am scared and don't know what to do. I am on day 6 of a 10 day regimen of 500 mg Levaquin for a kidney infection. After the 4th dose, my ankles started hurting all night and the next morning, was better after taking 3 Aleve. After the 5th dose, some mild joint pain in wrists, elbows, and still my ankles. No insomnia, swelling, dizziness or anything else.I can stand this, but afraid it's going to get worse or not go away. When my Dr. prescribed Levaquiin, I had never heard of it before (the doctor said it was the "granddaddy of antibiotics, strong stuff". Came home and read the side effects insert, wasn't too concerned, because it said the tendon damage was in people over 60 (I am 56, female, 125 lbs, fairly healthy, except for hypertension). I have had some arthritic hip pain in the past and have been taking glucosamine, crondoitin, and hyaluronic acid regularly for the past 7 or 8 years (maybe that's why my pain is mild?)

Posted by windyr 2 days ago
I started levquin last night at 8pm for a sinus & ear infection & stayed up all night with a Fever over 100. I am also experiencing myalgia & chills. The order is 500mg po qd & I just assumed my body was fighting off the infection when I spiked a fever. I hope these serious side effects are suppose to be expected. I haven't had any type of infection for years & have had both seasonal & h1n1 flu shots this year.

Posted by ebmcga 3 days ago
i am a 55 year old femaie. i am healthy and have a normal weight. i was prescribed levaquin in 2001 after being bit by my a parrot. (that's another story). i did not associate what happened next with levaquin, i then developed a clicking in my thumb, "trigger-finger". and was given a painful steriod injection into the thumb and the problem disappeared. daily, upon waking, my legs were stiff and painful. at the age, 46, i thought "well, i must be developing arthritis" . the strange thing is, these symptoms went away after a year or so. so, it was not arthritis. in november, 2009, i went into the hospital for a bladder infection and was once again prescribed, levaquin. i immediately developed the same side effects. the stiffness in my fingers is so bad that i am unable to grip or open my fists. i wake with pain in my legs, hips, wrists, upper arms and ankles. i cannot sit still for more than an hour without having this stiffness return. there is no question that levaquin is the culprit.. my doctor looked through my file and confirmed the timing of the problems in relation to using the drug. the medication states that it is a antedote for anthrax poisoning. perhaps the FDA rushed this drug to market during the false anthrax scare. it is time to recall it. please tell all of your friends and family and the FDA about this dangerous medication. i only hope for all that the side effects will dissipate soon.

Levaquin in the News

Wockhardt wins FDA tentative approval for antibiotic drug - Trading Markets (press release)
Wockhardt wins FDA tentative approval for antibiotic drugTrading Markets (press release)Levofloxacin is the generic name for the brand Levaquin, marketed in the US by Ortho Mcneil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Wockhardt will launch the ...
Fri Jan 15 13:48:36 +0000 2010

Three bidders still in fight for Mepha; Genzyme sales dip on manufacturing ... - FiercePharma
Three bidders still in fight for Mepha; Genzyme sales dip on manufacturing ...FiercePharma... Wockhardt got the tentative nod from FDA for marketing various doses of the antibiotic levofloxacin, a generic version of Ortho McNeil's Levaquin. ...Switzerland's Mepha says sale down to three biddersReutersall 6 news articles »
Wed Jan 13 16:10:42 +0000 2010

Dumbest PowerPoint Ever? J&J's P&L Slideshow of Alleged Kickback Scheme - BNET
BNETDumbest PowerPoint Ever? J&J's P&L Slideshow of Alleged Kickback SchemeBNETThe DOJ sued J&J alleging that rebates for drugs such as Levaquin were paid to Omnicare (OCR), a pharmacy services company that dominates nursing home care. ...
Thu Jan 21 11:32:41 +0000 2010

Levaquin Chemical Information

levofloxacin - A broad-spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic and optically active L-isomer of ofloxacin with antibacterial activity. Levofloxacin diffuses through the bacterial cell wall and acts by inhibiting DNA gyrase (bacterial topoisomerase II), an enzyme required for DNA replication, RNA transcription, and repair of bacterial DNA. Inhibition of DNA gyrase activity leads to blockage of bacterial cell growth.