Levofloxacin (Systemic)

(lee voe FLOKS a sin)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• This drug may raise the chance of tendons getting irritated and tearing. The chance is greater in heart, kidney, or lung transplant patients and in people taking steroid drugs. Call your child's doctor right away if your child has pain in the back of the ankle or joint pain or swelling.
• Do not give this drug if your child has myasthenia gravis. Very bad effects may happen.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to levofloxacin or any other part of this drug.
• Not if your child has had tendons get irritated or torn when taking this drug or an alike drug in the past.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has myasthenia gravis.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat bacterial infections.

How is this drug given?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss giving your child doses.
• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Oral:
• Give tablet with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Give liquid (solution) on an empty stomach. Give 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Have your child drink lots of noncaffeine liquids every day unless told to drink less liquid by your child's doctor.
• Children who have feeding tubes may also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after this drug is given.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into a vein over a period of time.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better a few days after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• This drug has caused harm to the joints in animals. Use with care in children.
• If your child has high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has seizures, talk with the doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• Limit your child's use of caffeine and chocolate. Use with this drug may cause nervousness, shakiness, and a fast heartbeat.
• Your child may get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen and dress your child in clothing and eyewear that protects him/her from the sun.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Belly pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Loose stools (diarrhea). Yogurt or probiotics may help. You may get these products at health food stores or in some pharmacies.
• Tendons may rarely get irritated and tear.
• Unsafe allergic effects may rarely happen.
• Harm to the liver may rarely happen.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat.
• If your child has a very bad headache.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very loose stools (diarrhea), even after drug is stopped.
• If your child has numbness or tingling in his/her hands or feet.
• If your child has pain in back of the ankle.
• If your child has joint pain or swelling.
• If your child has very bad muscle pain or weakness.
• If your child is not able to eat.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child has ringing in ears.
• If your child has a change in eyesight.
• If your child has a seizure.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Follow how to store the shot closely. Talk with the doctor.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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