Levofloxacin (Systemic)

Brand Names : Levaquin

Proper Use of This Medicine

Levofloxacin may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.

This medicine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless you are otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help to prevent some unwanted effects of levofloxacin.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood or urine. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day.

Dosing - The dose of levofloxacin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of levofloxacin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking levofloxacin

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For treatment of infection:
    • Adults - 250 to 750 milligrams (mg) once a day.
    • Children younger than 18 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor

• For parenteral dosage form (injection):
  • For treatment of infection:
    • Adults - 250 to 750 mg once a day.
    • Children younger than 18 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.