Many common infections in humans are caused by single cell organisms, called bacteria. Bacteria can grow and multiply, infecting different parts of the body. Medicines that control and eradicate these bacteria are called antibiotics like Levaquin.

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) is an antibiotic that stops multiplication of bacteria by preventing the reproduction and repair of their genetic material (DNA). Levaquin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, a class that includes ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and lomefloxacin (Maxaquin).

Levaquin (Levofloxacin) was approved by the FDA in 1996.

Take your complete prescription exactly as directed, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking Levaquin too soon, the infection may come back. You may take Levaquin at mealtimes or in between, but you should avoid taking it within 2 hours of the following: Aluminum or magnesium antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, or Gaviscon, Iron supplements such as Ferro-Sequels or Feosol, Any multivitamin preparation containing zinc, Videx chewable tablets or pediatric powder, the ulcer medication Carafate.

Be sure to drink plenty of fluid while taking Levaquin.

If you miss a dose of Levaquin: Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next Levaquin dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses of Levaquin at once.

Storage instructions for Levaquin: Store Levaquin at room temperature. Keep container tightly closed.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn can increase the risk of a nervous reaction to Levaquin. Also, check with your doctor before combining Levaquin with an oral diabetes drug such as Glucotrol, Micronase, or Orinase; changes in blood sugar levels could result.

If you are taking the asthma drug, theophylline, or the blood-thinning drug, Coumadin, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Other quinolone antibiotics have been known to interact with Levaquin.

The possibility that Levaquin might harm a developing baby has not been ruled out.

Levaquin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit outweighs the possible risk. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Levaquin is likely to appear in breast milk and could harm a nursing infant. Levaquin is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to stop nursing until your treatment is finished.

In rare cases, Levaquin has caused convulsions and other nervous disorders. If you develop any warning signs of a nervous reaction—ranging from restlessness and tremors to depression and hallucinations—stop taking Levaquin and call your doctor.

Levaquin may cause dizziness or light-headedness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Levaquin affects you. Hypersensitivity to quinolone antibiotics can, in rare instances, lead to severe illnesses ranging from blood disorders to liver or kidney failure.

The first sign of a developing problem is often a rash; so you should stop taking Levaquin and check with your doctor when any type of skin disorder appears. Remember, too, that an immediate allergic reaction is also a possibility (see \"Most important fact about this drug\"). A case of diarrhea during Levaquin therapy could signal development of the potentially dangerous condition known as pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammation of the bowel. Call your doctor for treatment at the first sign of a problem. Stop taking Levaquin, avoid exercise, and call your doctor if you develop pain, inflammation, or a rupture in a tendon. Quinolone antibiotics have been known to cause tendon rupture during and after therapy. The danger of this is greater when quinolones are combined with steroid medications, especially among older adults.

In rare cases, Levaquin has been known to cause heartbeat irregularities. Avoid Levaquin, if you are taking other medications that can change the heartbeat, or if you have a condition that predisposes you to this problem, such as a weak heart, a slow heartbeat, or low potassium.

If you have a kidney condition, make sure the doctor is aware of it. Your Levaquin dosage may need to be lowered.

Levaquin side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Levaquin.

More common side effects of Levaquin: May include, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping.

Less common or rare side effects of Levaquin: May include abdominal pain, abnormal dreams, abnormal vision, aggressiveness, agitation, anemia, angina, anxiety, asthma, bad taste, back pain, bone inflammation, blood abnormalities, blood clot, bursitis, changeable emotions, chest pain, circulatory failure, colitis, coma, confusion, coughing, decreased senses, dehydration, depression, difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, disorientation, disturbed sense of smell, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, exaggerated sense of well-being, fainting, fever, fungal infection, gas, general feeling of unwellness, genital infection and itching, hallucination, heart attack, heart failure, high or low blood pressure, high or low blood sugar, hives, impaired thinking, impotence, indigestion, intestinal bleeding, intestinal inflammation, involuntary muscle movement, irregular heartbeat, itching, joint inflammation and pain, kidney disorders, lack of muscle coordination, liver disorders, loss of appetite, lung inflammation, muscle pain, muscle tension, muscle weakness, nervousness, nosebleed, pancreatitis, paralysis, purple or red spots on skin, rapid or slow heartbeat, rash, ringing in the ears, seizures, skin disorders, sinus or nasal inflammation, sleep disorders, speech difficulty or disorder, sweating, swelling, swollen tongue, trembling, tendon inflammation, tremor, tumor, vaginal inflammation, vertigo, vomiting, weakness, weight loss, yeast infection, yellowing of eyes and skin.