Levofloxacin Side Effects

Most patients tolerate this drug and do not experience any side effects. Some patients taking Levaquin may experience some of the common side effects that are not serious and do not require any medical attention. Common side effects reported with this drug include:

Diarrhea
Headache
Dizziness
Nervousness
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pain

Levaquin Uncommon or Severe Side Effects

Few patients using Levofloxacin may experience uncommon or severe side effects. Upon experiencing any of the severe side effects, patients must immediately stop using the drug and consult their doctor. Severe side effects that can be rarely experienced by some patients include:

Insomnia
Fungi overgrowth
Rash
Low platelets count in the blood
Tremor and Convulsions
Anxiety
Increased heart rate
Depression or psychotic reaction
Low blood pressure
Difficulty breathing
Tendon disorders
Severe skin reactions

Levofloxacin Drug Interactions

Patients prescribed with Levofloxacin must inform their doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, herbal medications and vitamin supplements that they are taking. It is important because certain drugs if taken along with Levofloxacin can cause drug interaction. Beside certain drugs, even the use of alcohol, caffeine, cigarettes and elicit drugs are known to affect the action of levaquin. Thus patients using any such product must inform their doctor. Drugs that are known to interact with Levaquin are:

Amiodarone
Aminophylline
Antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, calcium, and magnesium hydroxide should not be taken within 2 hours of taking Levofloxacin
Anti-diabetes medications
Anti-inflammatories drugs
Calcium supplements, iron supplements and multivitamins should not be taken within 2 hours of taking levofloxacin
Medications taken to control heart rhythm like disopyramide, quinidine and sotalol
Cisapride
Erythromycin
Theophylline
Tricyclic antidepressants
Warfarin

Levaquin Warnings and Important Precautions

Before starting treatment with Levaquin, patients must inform their doctor about their medical profile which includes their medical conditions or medications that they are currently taking. It is essential to inform doctor to ensure that the drug therapy does not conflict with the patient and cause further health complications in patient. Below is a list of warnings and precautions that patients should be aware of are:

Patients having history of myasthenia gravis should not use this drug.
Individuals allergic to Levofloxacin or to similar antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin should avoid taking Levaquin.
Individuals should maintain a gap of at least 2 hours between the intake of Levofloxacin and any antacids, vitamins or mineral supplements.
Patients above the age of 60 years are more likely to experience swelling or tearing of a tendon.
Patients must immediately stop using the drug if they experience sudden pain, swelling tenderness, stiffness or movement problems in joints.
This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness therefore patients are advised to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while they are under the influence of this drug.
Patients using Levaquin must avoid exposing their skin to sunlight.

Individuals suffering from any of the following problems must inform their doctor before using Levofloxacin:

Kidney or liver disease
Muscle weakness
Joint problems
Trouble breathing
Diabetes
Seizures
Breathing problem
Low potassium level in blood
Having history of long QT syndrome