Before taking levofloxacin

Before taking levofloxacin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you have epilepsy or any other condition that causes convulsions (fits).
• If you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease).
• If you have heart or heart rhythm problems.
• If you have ever had mental health problems.
• If you have glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take levofloxacin

• Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take levofloxacin exactly as your doctor has told you.
• Keep taking this antibiotic until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop. This is important, even if you feel your infection has cleared up, in order to prevent the infection from coming back.
• Levofloxacin tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not chew or break them.
• You can take levofloxacin tablets before, during or after meals.
• If you have been told to take more than one dose each day, spread your doses out evenly throughout the day.
• Do not take indigestion remedies, or medicines containing iron or zinc, in the 2 hours before or after you take levofloxacin.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as before. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you buy any medicines, particularly anti-inflammatory painkillers, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with this antibiotic.
• Levofloxacin may cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight. Protect your skin particularly if you are exposed to strong sunlight for long periods during the day. Do not use sunbeds.
• Levofloxacin may impair your ability to concentrate. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not sufficiently alert.
• If you have diabetes, you may need to check your blood glucose levels more regularly as levofloxacin can affect the levels of sugar in your blood.
• If you still feel unwell after completing your course of this antibiotic, make another appointment to see your doctor.
• Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.

Can levofloxacin cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

• Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or face, or any problems with your breathing.
• A severe rash.
• Pain or inflammation in your joints (particularly in your hips, knees or ankles).

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How to store levofloxacin

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

References

• Manufacturer's PIL, Tavanic® 250mg, 500mg Tablets, sanofi-aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated September 2009.
• British National Formulary; 61st Edition (March 2011) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)