Levofloxacin tablets 500 mg: instructions for use, price

Instructions for the use of Levofloxacin describe all the features of the use of a modern antibacterial agent from the group of fluoroquinolones of the 3rd generation. The drug provides a wide spectrum of bactericidal action and is used to treat infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary and respiratory system, ENT organs. A variety of dosage forms will allow the drug to be used in other areas of medicine - in ophthalmology, dermatology (for the treatment of abscesses and boils).

Levofloxacin: pharmacological properties

Levofloxacin is a synthetic antibiotic with a pronounced antimicrobial effect, the basis of which is the active substance of the same name - levofloxacin hemihydrate. Thanks to the newest chemical formula, the drug is much more effective than its predecessor Ofloxacin. Its bactericidal action is based on inhibition of enzymes responsible for DNA replication in bacterial cells. Unlike other antibacterial agents, levofloxacin acts on pathogenic microflora at any stage of development, effectively destroying not only dividing, but also growing cells. As a result, pathogenic microorganisms lose their ability to grow and multiply and die.

The drug is active against most strains of pathogens of infectious processes - anaerobic and aerobic bacteria (both gram-positive, and gram-negative) and the simplest microorganisms, and also effectively destroys pathogenic microflora that is resistant to other antibiotics.

After oral administration, Levofloxacin is absorbed very quickly, and food intake practically does not affect this process. The bioavailability of the drug when taken on an empty stomach reaches 100%. The active substance easily penetrates into all tissues and organs, is determined in sputum and cerebrospinal fluid. It is excreted from the body mainly by the kidneys (with urine) within 48 hours.

Varieties of the drug

The antibiotic Levofloxacin is produced in the following dosage forms:

• Tablets Levofloxacin 500 mg and 250 mg - yellow, film-coated, biconvex, round. The numbers respectively indicate the concentration of the active substance. Tablets of 5 or 10 pieces are packaged in contour cells or polymer cans and placed in a cardboard package.
• Levofloxacin solution is transparent, yellow-green in color, intended for infusion. 1 ml of the drug contains 5 mg of levofloxacin. The solution is available in 100 ml glass vials.
• Drops Levofloxacin 0.5% (eye) - a transparent homogeneous solution, in 1 ml of which is dissolved 5 ml of active substance. Drops are sold in a cardboard box containing 2 polyethylene tubes with a dropper, 1 ml each.

When is it prescribed?

The drug is used in various fields of medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by strains of bacteria that are sensitive to the active substance of the drug. The solution and tablet forms of the antibiotic are used under the following conditions:

• with infectious lesions of the lower respiratory tract (chronic bronchitis in the acute stage, community-acquired pneumonia);
• with diseases of the ENT organs (acute sinuses);
• with infections affecting the kidneys and urinary system (including acute manifestations of pyelonephritis);
• with bacteremia or septicemia;
• with bacterial prostatitis and other infections of the genital organs;
• when the infection spreads to the skin and soft tissues (abscesses, purulent atheromas, furunculosis).

Levofloxacin is included in the complex treatment of drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis, and is also used in the treatment of intra-abdominal infections.

Levofloxacin eye drops are used in the treatment of blepharitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, purulent ulceration of the cornea, eye diseases caused by chlamydial or gonorrheal infection.

Instructions for use

The drug in the form of a solution for infusion is injected into the patient's vein, by drip, 1-2 times a day. In this case, it is important to observe the rate of administration of the solution (100 ml per hour). The dose of the drug is adjusted by the doctor taking into account the clinical indications and the patient's condition.

The total duration of intravenous administration of the solution directly depends on the severity of the infection. Thus, the longest course of treatment is required for tuberculosis, the causative agent of which is resistant to drugs. After normalization of the patient's condition, it is recommended to continue treatment with tablet forms of the drug.

Levofloxacin tablets are recommended to be taken with meals, swallowing whole and drinking 150-200 ml of water. The dosage of the drug and the duration of the course of treatment depend on the clinical picture of the disease:

• with exacerbation of bronchitis it is recommended to take 0.25 - 0.5 mg of the drug for 7-10 days;
• acute forms of sinusitis require taking pills in a higher dose (0.5 mg) for a maximum of 2 weeks;
• Levofloxacin for bacterial prostatitis is taken in a dosage of 500 mg for a month;
• in the treatment of uncomplicated infections of the urinary system and kidneys, only three days of taking tablets (250 mg) are enough, complicated forms require a longer course of treatment (up to 10 days).

The drug for the treatment of these diseases is taken once (1 time per day). Twice reception of Levofloxacin in a dosage of 0.25-0.5 g is required for pneumonia, intra-abdominal infections, soft tissue lesions. The course of treatment for these conditions takes 1-2 weeks. In any case, taking the pills continues for another 2-3 days after the condition has returned to normal. When using the drug as part of the complex therapy of tuberculosis, tablets (500mg) are taken twice a day. The course of treatment is long, up to 3 months.

Drops of Levofloxacin are instilled into the conjunctival sac of the affected eye in a volume of 1-2 drops, every 2 hours in the first two days of treatment. Then the frequency of application is reduced and the drug is instilled every 4 hours. The total duration of the drug is from 5 to 7 days.

The instructions for use of the eye drops warn that they contain a preservative (benzalkonium chloride), which is incompatible with soft contact lenses. This substance is readily absorbed by the lens material and can cause severe eye irritation. Therefore, for the entire period of treatment, wearing contact lenses will have to be abandoned.

Contraindications

It is prohibited to use Levofloxacin under the following conditions:

• hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug;
• pregnancy, lactation;
• renal failure;
• damage to the tendons, provoked by the intake of other drugs - quinolones;
• epilepsy.

The drug should not be administered to children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age). With extreme caution, the antibiotic is used for impaired renal function, conditions associated with a deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate hydroginase, in the elderly.

Adverse Reactions

Levofloxacin, like other antibiotics, can provoke numerous adverse reactions from various systems and organs. Most often, such manifestations occur against the background of the use of tablet forms of the drug and injections. The most common reactions are nausea, increased liver enzymes, and diarrhea.

Less commonly, dyspeptic disorders are observed - abdominal pain, belching, heartburn, vomiting, lack of appetite. From the side of the nervous system, such manifestations as headache, dizziness, insomnia or drowsiness, lethargy, general weakness, and feverish conditions are possible. There is a change in blood counts, allergic reactions (itching, rashes).

Among the side effects that develop quite rarely (in 1 person in 1000), such severe disorders such as bronchospasm, paresthesias, tremors of the extremities, drop in blood pressure, convulsions, confusion, tachycardia. There is an increase in bleeding, muscle or joint pain, symptoms of tendinitis, hallucinations, depressive conditions, anaphylactic shock may develop.

In exceptional cases, complications such as Quincke's edema, impaired taste and visual perception, decreased tactile sensitivity and the ability to distinguish odors developed. Against the background of prolonged use of the drug, exudative erythema multiforme, epidermal necrolysis (toxic), muscle weakness, tendon rupture, hemolytic anemia, malfunction kidneys.

In addition to the above systemic side reactions, the use of an antibiotic can cause the development of dysbiosis and the addition of a fungal infection against the background of a decrease in immunity. In case of an overdose, side effects are aggravated, there are convulsions, confusion, disorders of the digestive system, erosive lesions of the mucous membranes.

Levofloxacin eye drops can also provoke side reactions, which are manifested by a burning sensation, itching, redness and discomfort in the eyes, swelling of the eyelids, irritation, lacrimation, decreased severity vision. In rare cases, there is the development of erythema, the appearance of follicles on the conjunctiva, manifestations of blepharitis, the formation of mucous cords in the affected eye. With increased sensitivity to the drug, an allergic rhinitis may occur, headache, symptoms of contact blepharitis.

To avoid such unpleasant consequences, do not exceed the indicated dosages and do not increase the recommended treatment time. If any unpleasant symptoms appear, you should stop taking Levofloxacin and consult your doctor to adjust the course of therapy or replace the drug.

Additional recommendations

Levofloxacin cannot be used to treat children and adolescents, since this category of patients has a high risk of ruptured articular cartilage.

In patients with brain damage after trauma or stroke, antibiotic use can lead to seizures.

When taking the drug, it should be borne in mind that side effects such as drowsiness, numbness, disorders of visual functions increase the risk of dangerous situations when driving and mechanisms.

Levofloxacin and alcohol

Many patients are interested in whether it is possible to take Levofloxacin with alcohol? Like other antibacterial agents, this drug is incompatible with the intake of any alcoholic beverages. The active substance aggravates the negative effect of ethyl alcohol on the nervous system, provokes severe intoxication, enhances the manifestation of side reactions - nausea, vomiting, confusion, decreased concentration and speed reactions.

Analogs

Levofloxacin has many structural analogs containing the same active ingredient. Among them are the following medicines:

• Ivacin;
• Levotek;
• Levoflox;
• Levofloxabol;
• Levofloxacin Teva;
• Maklevo;
• Ophthalmo;
• Okomistin;
• Remedia;
• Tavanik;
• Flexid;
• Haileflox;
• Eleflox.

In addition, there are many antibacterial agents that provide similar therapeutic action - Abaktal, Zarquin, Tsipropane, Tsiprodoks, Lofox, Tsiprobay, Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, etc.

If Levofloxacin did not fit the patient or caused an allergic reaction, the doctor can always pick up a replacement for him from this list of drugs. It is impossible to independently select analogs in order to avoid unwanted complications and unpredictable side reactions.

Drug price

In the pharmacy chain, the average prices for different forms of Levofloxacin are as follows:

• eye drops (5 ml) - from 120 rubles;
• solution for infusion (100 ml) - from 180 rubles;
• tablets 250mg (5 pcs.) - from 270 rubles;
• tablets 250 mg (10 pcs.) - from 300 rubles;
• 500mg tablets (5 pcs.) - from 280 rubles;
• tablets 500 mg (10 pcs.) - from 520 rubles;
• tablets 500 mg (14 pcs.) - from 600 rubles.

Feedback on application

Patients' opinions about this drug are mixed. Many people say that Levofloxacin has too many side effects and that taking the pills is accompanied by muscle weakness, confusion, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms. At the same time, patients note that the antibiotic copes with its task, effectively fights against infectious agents, quickly improves the condition and accelerates the healing process.

According to doctors, it is in the effective bactericidal action that the main advantage of a modern medicine is. He copes with his task even when other antibiotics are powerless.

Review number 1

I was prescribed levofloxacin for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. It was necessary to take 1 tablet for 4 weeks. The first 2 weeks I felt normal, the unpleasant symptoms associated with prostatitis practically disappeared, but the doctor said that the course of treatment should not be interrupted.

I continued to take pills, and here side reactions appeared - abdominal pain, diarrhea, consciousness was confused, I was in some kind of numbness and all the time I wanted to sleep. The performance dropped to almost zero. So I stopped taking it and on the second day my health returned to normal. Perhaps this antibiotic is effective, but it is painfully toxic, so you need to take it with caution.

Anton, Krasnodar

Review number 2

My therapist prescribed Levofloxacin after the flu caused a complication in the lungs in the form of bronchitis. I was just choking with painful bouts of coughing, and even the sputum began to stand out thick and yellow. Therefore, the doctor suspected a bacterial complication. I had to drink 1 tablet for 7 days.

The drug is strong, the improvement came on the third day of admission, but I drank the antibiotic to the end to consolidate the result. I have heard many negative reviews about the side effects of taking Levofloxacin. But I had only mild nausea during the intake, and even the stool became liquid. Therefore, after a course of treatment, I drank probiotics to restore microflora and my condition returned to normal.

Angela, Moscow