Levofloxacin 500 mg Tablets

Description

How to use

One 500 mg tablet once daily at the same time each day, swallowed whole with a full glass of water. It may be taken with or without food, but it must be separated by at least two hours from antacids, iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium supplements, multivitamins and sucralfate, all of which bind it in the gut and can wipe out most of the dose. Drink plenty of water throughout the course. Complete the number of days prescribed and avoid strong sunlight, since the drug increases the risk of severe sunburn.

Important warnings

Fluoroquinolones carry class warnings that no other oral antibiotic does. Stop the tablet and contact a doctor immediately for pain, swelling or tenderness in a tendon, particularly the Achilles, since rupture can occur even after a few doses and is far more likely over the age of 60, on steroids, or after a transplant. Also stop for new numbness, tingling or burning in the hands or feet, and for confusion, hallucinations, severe anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts. Avoid in epilepsy, myasthenia gravis, known long QT syndrome, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children and adolescents. Tell your prescriber about warfarin, diabetes medication, steroids and heart-rhythm drugs. Report severe or bloody diarrhoea.

Storage

Store below 30 degrees Celsius in a dry place, protected from light, out of reach of children. Keep the tablets in their blister until each dose. Do not use after the expiry date on the pack. Return unused tablets to the pharmacy; leftover fluoroquinolones in a household medicine box are among the most inappropriately reused antibiotics there are, and this is a class where casual use carries real consequences.