ALEVO 500mg Tablet

WHAT IS LEVOFLOXACIN?

Levofloxacin is an antibiotic drug that belongs to a group of drugs known as fluoroquinolones. Levofloxacin is used to treat various bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, bladder, and prostate. It is also prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, and also for people who have been exposed to anthrax plague.

Levofloxacin is marketed and sold as various trade names, a couple of which are Levaquin and Alevo (made by Alkem).

Levofloxacin may also be given for conditions not mentioned above.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LEVOFLOXACIN:

You must avoid taking Levofloxacin (Levaquin, Alevo) if you allergic to it or other similar antibiotics like moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or gemifloxacin and others. Prior to taking Levofloxacin, let your doctor know if you have a heart rhythm problem, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, joint problems, myasthenia gravis, muscle weakness, breathing trouble, a condition called pseudotumor cerebri, seizures, head injury or tumor in the past, low levels of blood potassium, a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome.

Do not take Levofloxacin medication with dairy items like milk or yogurt, or with juice that contains calcium. Don’t consume antacids, vitamin or mineral supplements, didanosine(Videx), or sucralfate(Carafate) powder or chewable tablets before 6 hours of taking Levofloxacin or within 2 hours after taking this medication. Levofloxacin may lead to swelling or tearing of a tendon (fiber that binds the muscles to the bones), especially the Achilles’ tendon of the heel.

Levofloxacin medication can cause diarrhea which may indicate another infection. If you witness watery or bloody diarrhea, seek immediate medical attention. Don’t use diarrhea medication without your doctor’s advice.

It is of utmost importance that you complete the full course of the Levofloxacin medication. Your condition may completely vanish even before completing the full dosage. If you stop taking the doses and don’t complete the course, chances of relapse of your infection increase many fold and you may suffer from a more potent infection which can be drug resistant. Levofloxacin will not work with viral infections like cold or flu. Always store Levofloxacin in a cool and dry place, preferably at room temperature. Keep away from heart, moisture, children and pets.

BEFORE TAKING LEVOFLOXACIN:

Prior to taking Levofloxacin, take care of the precautions listed above. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting a Levofloxacin course as it may harm your baby though any such case has not been heard off. Levofloxacin may pass into breast milk and harm your baby. Consult your doctor first if you are breast feeding and if is safe to take this medication without affecting your child.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE LEVOFLOXACIN?

Take Levofloxacin (Levaquin, Alevo) strictly as prescribed by your doctor. Never alter the dosage by any amount or use it for longer than prescribed period. All medications come with a patient leaflet that contains complete information about the drug. Read it carefully for more details.

Take Levofloxacin with a glass of water (8oz.). It is always better to consume several extra glasses of water or liquids each day while taking this medication. Levofloxacin may be taken with or without food, but make it a habit to take the medication at the same time every day.

If you are taking an extended release tablet of Levofloxacin, swallow it whole. Chewing the tablet may result in releasing too much of the medication at one time. Don’t consume dairy items like milk, yogurt or calcium fortified juices while taking Levofloxacin though you can have them as part of your regular meal, just not along while taking the medication. The reason is that the dairy items can make the medication less effective.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE OF LEVOFLOXACIN?

Don’t miss even a single dose of Levofloxacin or any medication, especially antibiotics. However if you miss a dose of Levofloxacin for any reasons, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Don’t take two doses very close to each other to make up for the missed dose.

WHAT TO DO IF I OVER DOSE?

If you overdose on Levofloxacin, get emergency medical help or contact the Doctor Immediately. You may experience symptoms like seizure, weakness, urination problems, or blue lips with anemic skin.

THINGS TO AVOID WHILE TAKING LEVOFLOXACIN:

You might be taking some other medications that are not compatible with Levofloxacin. Some of those drugs may make Levofloxacin less potent when taken at the same time. Don’t take these medications within 6 hours before or 2 hours after taking Levofloxacin: antacids that have calcium, magnesium, or aluminum(Tums, Mylanta, Rolaids); ulcer medication sucralfate (Carafate); calcium, iron, zinc or other multi-vitamins and multi-minerals; didanosine (Videx) powder or chewable tablets.

Don’t take caffeine containing food items while taking Levofloxacin as the medication can elevate caffeine effects. Avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight and tanning beds. Levofloxacin intake can make you more prone to sunburn. Remember to wear proper covering clothes and apply appropriate sunscreen with at least 30 SPF on exposed portion when outdoors. Also avoid doing things which require more attention and alertness while taking Levofloxacin as it impairs your thinking or reflexes.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ALEVO 500MG:

RARE

Hives
Breathing
Difficulty
Swelling On Face
Lips, Or Tongue

SERIOUS

 Fainting
Severe Giddiness
Irregular Heartbeat
Unexplained Pain
Vision Problems Like Pain In Eye
Snapping Or Popping Sound
Swelling
Tenderness
Stiffness In Joints
Watery Or Bloody Diarrhea
Confusion
Hallucinations
Depression
Unusual Behavior
Seizures
Severe Headache
Ringing In Ears
Decreased Or Dark Colored Urination
Easy Bruising Or Bleeding
Severe Skin Reaction
Fever
Sore Throat
Red Or Purple Rash That Leads To Blistering And Peeling
Pale Or Yellow Skin

COMMON

Nausea
Vomiting
Giddiness
Dullness
Blurred Vision
Nervousness
Anxiety
Aggressive Behavior
Changes In Sleep Patterns Including Insomnia Or Nightmare

LEVOFLOXACIN DRUG INTERACTIONS:

Some medications with which Levofloxacin may interact are tizanidine(Zanaflex),blood thinner like warfaring (Coumadin, Jantoven); clozapine(Clozaril, Fazaclo); cyclosporine; glyburid; methotrexate; metoclopramide; phenytoin; probenecid; ropinirole; theophylline; ibuprofen; dicloefenac;; meloxicam; or steroids.

Don’t take it together with Levofloxacin and let your doctor know if you are using the above mentioned medications. You may use them depending on your doctor’s advice.

The list of drugs above with which Levofloxacin can interact is not complete and there may be other drugs which can interact with it. Always consult your doctor before starting a new medication and before stopping or altering the course of any existing one.

PRODUCT INTRODUCTION

USES OF ALEVO TABLET

• Treatment of Bacterial infections

BENEFITS OF ALEVO TABLET

In Treatment of Bacterial infections

Alevo 500 Tablet is an antibiotic medicine which can be used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria. These include infections of the ear, nose, throat, lungs, urinary tract, skin, and soft tissues in adults and children. It works by killing and stopping the growth of the bacteria causing the infection.
This medicine usually makes you feel better quite quickly. However, you should continue taking it as long as it is prescribed even when you feel better, to make sure that all bacteria are killed and do not become resistant.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ALEVO TABLET

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Alevo

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

HOW TO USE ALEVO TABLET

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Alevo 500 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Avoid Alevo 500 Tablet with dairy products such as milk, cheese, curd, butter, paneer and ice cream.

HOW ALEVO TABLET WORKS

Alevo 500 Tablet is an antibiotic. It works by stopping the action of a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This prevents the bacterial cells from dividing and repairing, thereby killing them.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

SAFE

Consuming alcohol with Alevo 500 Tablet does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Alevo 500 Tablet is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Alevo 500 Tablet is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

UNSAFE

Alevo 500 Tablet may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Kidney

CAUTION

Alevo 500 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Alevo 500 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

There is limited information available on the use of Alevo 500 Tablet in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
However, stop the medicine and inform your doctor if you develop any signs and symptoms of jaundice while taking this medicine.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE ALEVO TABLET?

If you miss a dose of Alevo 500 Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.