Levofloxacin Hemihydrate
Indications:
Levofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated micro-organisms in the condition listed below:
Levofloxacin 250: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 250 mg.
Levofloxacin 500: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 500 mg.
Levofloxacin 750: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 750 mg.
Levofloxacin 100 ml oral solution: Each 5 ml solution contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 125 mg.
Levofloxacin IV Infusion: Each 100 ml solution contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 500 mg.
Administration
Instructions for the Use of Levofloxacin Infusion-
Therapeutic Class: Anti Bacterial (4-Quinolone preparations)
Indications:
Levofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe infections caused by susceptible strains of the designated micro-organisms in the condition listed below:
- Acute maxillary sinusitis due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.
- Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis.
- Community-acquired pneumonia due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
- Uncomplicated & complicated urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
- Acute pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli.
- Uncomplicated & complicated skin and soft tissue infections including abscesses, cellulitis, furuncles, impetigo, pyoderma, wound infections, due to Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Proteus mirabilis or Enterococcus faecalis.
- Enteric infections caused by Enterobacter sp., Escherichia coli, Campylobacter sp., Vibrio cholerae, Shigella sp., Salmonella sp.
Levofloxacin 250: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 250 mg.
Levofloxacin 500: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 500 mg.
Levofloxacin 750: Each film-coated tablet contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 750 mg.
Levofloxacin 100 ml oral solution: Each 5 ml solution contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 125 mg.
Levofloxacin IV Infusion: Each 100 ml solution contains Levofloxacin Hemihydrate INN equivalent to Levofloxacin 500 mg.
Description:
Levofloxacin is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolone derivative antibacterial agent for oral administration. Chemically levofloxacin is a chiral fluorinated carboxyquinolone.
Pharmacology:
Levofloxacin is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Chemically, Levofloxacin is a chiral fluorinated carboxyquinolone. Levofloxacin exerts antibacterial action by inhibiting bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase, the enzymes required for DNA replication, transcription repair, and recombination. It has in vitro activity against a wide range of gm-ve and gm+ve microorganisms.
Dosage & Administration:
The usual dose of Levofloxacin Tablets is 250 mg or 500 mg or 750 mg administered orally every 24 hours. Levofloxacin tablets can be administered without regard to food. Levofloxacin oral solution should be taken 1 hour before, or 2 hours after eating.
Levofloxacin injection should only be administered by intravenous infusion. It is not for intramuscular, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. The usual dose of Levofloxacin injection is 250 mg or 500 mg administered by slow infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours or 750 mg administered by slow infusion over 90 minutes every 24 hours. Since the Levofloxacin injections are for single-use only, any unused portion should be discarded. Additives or other medications should not be added to Levofloxacin Injection or infused simultaneously through the same intravenous line.
Adults:
Levofloxacin is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolone derivative antibacterial agent for oral administration. Chemically levofloxacin is a chiral fluorinated carboxyquinolone.
Pharmacology:
Levofloxacin is a synthetic, broad-spectrum, third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Chemically, Levofloxacin is a chiral fluorinated carboxyquinolone. Levofloxacin exerts antibacterial action by inhibiting bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase, the enzymes required for DNA replication, transcription repair, and recombination. It has in vitro activity against a wide range of gm-ve and gm+ve microorganisms.
Dosage & Administration:
The usual dose of Levofloxacin Tablets is 250 mg or 500 mg or 750 mg administered orally every 24 hours. Levofloxacin tablets can be administered without regard to food. Levofloxacin oral solution should be taken 1 hour before, or 2 hours after eating.
Levofloxacin injection should only be administered by intravenous infusion. It is not for intramuscular, intrathecal, intraperitoneal, or subcutaneous administration. The usual dose of Levofloxacin injection is 250 mg or 500 mg administered by slow infusion over 60 minutes every 24 hours or 750 mg administered by slow infusion over 90 minutes every 24 hours. Since the Levofloxacin injections are for single-use only, any unused portion should be discarded. Additives or other medications should not be added to Levofloxacin Injection or infused simultaneously through the same intravenous line.
Adults:
- Acute sinusitis: 500 mg once daily for 10-14 days, or 750 mg once daily for 5 days
- Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis: 500 mg once daily for 7 days, or 750 mg once daily for 3 days (Uncomplicated), 750 mg once daily for 5 days (Complicated)
- Community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days, or 750 mg once daily for 5 days
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections: 250 mg once daily for 3 days
- Complicated urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis: 250 mg once daily for 7-10 days
- Uncomplicated skin and soft-tissue infections: 500 mg once daily for 7-10 days.
- Complicated skin and soft-tissue infections: 750 mg once daily for 7-14 days.
- Enteric fever: 500 mg once daily for 7-14 days.
- Diarrhea, cholera, shigellosis & enteritis: Mild to the moderate case: 500 mg (single dose). Moderate to the severe case: 500 mg once daily for 3 days
Children:
- Children 6 months to <5 years: 10 mg/kg every 12 hours.
- Children >5 years: 10 mg/kg every 24 hours
Administration
Instructions for the Use of Levofloxacin Infusion-
- Check the container for minute leaks by squeezing the inner bag firmly. If leaks are found, or if the seal is not intact, discard the solution.
- Do not use if the solution is cloudy or a precipitate is present.
- Do not use flexible containers in series connections.
- Close flow control clamp of administration set.
- Remove cover from port at bottom of the container.
- Insert piercing pin of administration set into port with a twisting motion until the pin is firmly seated.
- Suspend container from hanger.
- Squeeze and release drip chamber to establish proper fluid level in the chamber during infusion of Levoxin Injection.
- Open flow control clamp to expel air from set. Close clamp.
- Regulate rate of administration with flow control clamp.
Interaction:
No quinolone should be co-administered with any solution containing multivalent cations, e.g., magnesium, through the same intravenous line. Antacids, Iron, and Adsorbents reduce the absorption of Levofloxacin. NSAIDs may increase the risk of CNS stimulation. Warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.
Contraindications:
Levofloxacin is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to levofloxacin, quinolone antimicrobial agents, or any other components of this product.
Side Effects:
Levofloxacin is generally well tolerated. However, a few side effects can usually be seen. There is a risk of retinal detachment. Other side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and a rare occurrence of phototoxicity (0.1%). Side-effects that may be seen very rarely include tremors, depression, anxiety, confusion, etc.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Levofloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.
Precautions & Warnings:
The following measures should be taken during the administration of Levofloxacin:
Levofloxacin exhibits a low potential for acute toxicity. However, in the event of acute overdosage, the stomach should be emptied. The patients should be kept under observation and appropriate hydration should be maintained.
Storage:
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
No quinolone should be co-administered with any solution containing multivalent cations, e.g., magnesium, through the same intravenous line. Antacids, Iron, and Adsorbents reduce the absorption of Levofloxacin. NSAIDs may increase the risk of CNS stimulation. Warfarin may increase the risk of bleeding.
Contraindications:
Levofloxacin is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to levofloxacin, quinolone antimicrobial agents, or any other components of this product.
Side Effects:
Levofloxacin is generally well tolerated. However, a few side effects can usually be seen. There is a risk of retinal detachment. Other side-effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, and a rare occurrence of phototoxicity (0.1%). Side-effects that may be seen very rarely include tremors, depression, anxiety, confusion, etc.
Pregnancy & Lactation:
Levofloxacin is not recommended for use during pregnancy or nursing, as the effects on the unborn child or nursing infant are unknown.
Precautions & Warnings:
The following measures should be taken during the administration of Levofloxacin:
- Levofloxacin Injection should only be administered by slow intravenous infusion over a period of 60 or 90 minutes depending on the dosage.
- While administrating Levofloxacin, an adequate amount of water should be taken to avoid a concentrated form of urine.
- Dose adjustment should be exercised during Levofloxacin administration in presence of renal insufficiency.
Levofloxacin exhibits a low potential for acute toxicity. However, in the event of acute overdosage, the stomach should be emptied. The patients should be kept under observation and appropriate hydration should be maintained.
Storage:
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.