Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Levofloxacin oral liquid should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Measure your dose with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

You may take levofloxacin tablets with meals or on an empty stomach.

This medicine is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Several additional glasses of water should be taken every day, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Drinking extra water will help prevent some unwanted effects of levofloxacin.

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times, day and night. For example, if you are to take one dose a day, try to take it at the same time each day.

If you need to take this medicine for anthrax infection or plague, your doctor will want you to begin taking it as soon as possible after you are exposed to anthrax or bacteria causing the plague.

If you are taking didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral suspension, sucralfate, or antacids, multivitamins, or other products containing aluminum, magnesium, iron, or zinc, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after using levofloxacin. These medicines may keep levofloxacin from working properly.

Keep using this medicine for the full treatment time, even if you feel better after the first few doses. Your infection may not clear up if you stop using the medicine too soon.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For anthrax infection (post-exposure):
    • For oral dosage form (oral solution):
      • Adults and children 6 months of age and older weighing more than 50 kilograms (kg)—500 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children 6 months of age and older and weighing less than 50 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 8 mg per kg of body weight per dose, given 2 times a day. However, the dose is usually not more than 250 mg.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults and children 6 months of age and older weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—500 milligrams (mg) once a day for 60 days.
      • Children 6 months of age and older weighing 30 kg to less than 50 kg—250 mg taken every 12 hours for 60 days.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age or weighing less than 30 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For infections:
    • For oral dosage forms (oral solution or tablets):
      • Adults—250 to 750 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For plague infection:
    • For oral dosage forms (oral solution):
      • Adults and children 6 months of age and older, weighing more than 50 kilograms (kg)—500 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children 6 months of age and older, weighing less than 50 kg—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 8 mg per kg of body weight per dose, given 2 times a day. However, the dose is usually not more than 250 mg.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage forms (tablets):
      • Adults and children 6 months of age and older, weighing 50 kilograms (kg) or more—500 milligrams (mg) once a day for 10 to 14 days.
      • Children 6 months of age and older, weighing 30 kg to less than 50 kg—250 mg taken every 12 hours for 10 to 14 days.
      • Children younger than 6 months of age or weighing less than 30 kg—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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