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Levaquin is prescribed to treat bacterial infections and is also used to treat patients with inhalation anthrax. However, levaquin is not effective against viral infections like the common cold or the flu. Levaquin is used to treat the bacteria that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, chlamydia, gonorrhea, skin infections and urinary tract infections.
What are some important things I should know about Levaquin?
Levaquin is in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones, which are drugs that can cause serious damage to the nervous system, as well as to tendons and cartilage. Some links have been traced to fluoroquinolones and multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid diseases and heart problems.
The safety and effectiveness of Levaquin has not been determined in children under the age of 18 years, or in pregnant or nursing women. Because Levaquin can result in serious injury, make sure to talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing, and tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking in order to avoid drug reactions.
- sinus infections: infections inside your nose, face and forehead that can lead to severe pain, headache, nasal discharge or congestion
- bronchitis
- pneumonia (including nosocomial and community-acquired pneumonia)
- lower respiratory tract infections: infections in the lower respiratory tract, which includes the trachea and bronchi. Pneumonia is a lower respiratory tract infection.
- urinary tract infections: infections in the kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra.
- skin and skin structure infections: such as cellulitis and staphylococcal infections from bacteria that penetrate the skin.
- uncomplicated cervical and urethral gonorrhea: a sexually transmitted disease.
- inhalation anthrax: to reduce the progression of the disease after someone has inhaled toxic and deadly anthrax.
Levaquin can cause harmful side effects. The drug can severely erode cartilage in joints, seizures, cardiovascular collapse, and can cause extreme nervousness, especially if taken with caffeine, which should be avoided. Some believe Levaquin can lead to multiple sclerosis, for which there is no determined cause (but toxicity is believed to be a major contributor). Also, Levaquin causes sensitivity to the sunlight.
Contact your doctor and stop taking Levaquin immediately if you notice:
- pain
- burning
- tingling
- numbness
- weakness
- inflammation
- tendon rupture
- rash
- hives
- rapid heartbeat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- swelling of the face or lips