Levaquin - Levofloxacin

The unit-dose packaging of the quinolone Levaquin (levofloxacin, an antibacterial) is silver foil with black letters. The dose is reverse shaded. A reporter noted that the packages have to be held at just the right angle to be able to read the label. It was reported to be especially difficult to differentiate between the 250 and 500 mg strengths because the numbers were so difficult to read. 

Johnson Johnson s Levaquin (levofloxacin), an antibiotic intended to treat pneumonic plague, became the first product to receive FDA (2012a) approval via the Animal Rule. The product received approval based on testing in African green monkeys infected with pneumonic plague. None of the placebo control group survived contact with the virus, whereas 94% of the Levaquin group survived. 

Levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar) Levofloxacin (Levaquin) Levothyroxine (Synthroid)... 

QUINOLONE ANTIBIOTICS LEVOFLOXACIN (LEVAQUIN ), MOXIFLOXACIN (AVELOX ), GEMIFLOXACIN (FACTIVE ), AND GARENOXACIN (T-3811)... 

FLUOROQ UINOLONES Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, Proquin XR) Gemifloxacin (Factive) Levofloxacin (Levaquin, Quixin Iquix Ophthalmic) MACROUDES Azithromycin (Zithromax) Clarithromycin (Biaxin, Biaxin XL) KETOUDE Telithromycin (Ketek) PENICILLINS Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Polymox)... 

Oral 200, 400 mg tablets Parenteral 200, 400 mg for IV injection Levofloxacin (Levaquin)... 

The fluoroquinolone subclass of antibiotics is inspired by nalidixic acid (A.35), an older antibiotic commonly used for urinary tract infections (Figure A.10). Depending on the type of infection, fluoroquinolones inhibit DNA gyrase and/or topoisomerase IV. Both enzymes are vital for DNA replication and bacterial reproduction. Both ciprofloxacin (Cipro, A.36) and levofloxacin (Levaquin, A.37) are examples of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Ciprofloxacin received national attention in the United States in 2001. Ciprofloxacin was used to treat many anthrax-infected patients after letters containing anthrax spores were sent through the U.S. postal service. 

Many other commonly used antibiotics can cause psychiatric symptoms, for example, clarithromycin (trade name, Biaxin)—which is frequently used to treat respiratory illness, ear infections, and skin infections—has been reported to cause mania in some patients. Metronidazole (trade name Flagyl), which is used to treat many types of infections—from parasites to vaginal infections and abscesses—has been reported to cause depression, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, and mania. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (trade names Bactrim and Septra)—which is used, for example, for bladder infections and sinus and ear infections—has been reported to cause delirium, psychosis, depression, and hallucinations in rare cases. The fluoroquinolone antibiotics—such as ciprofloxacin (trade name Cipro), levofloxacin (trade name Levaquin), ofloxacin (trade name Floxin), trovafloxacin (trade name Trovan), and others of this class—can cause psychiatric symptoms fairly often, including confusion, agitation, depression, insomnia, mania, paranoia, and psychosis. 

Levofloxacin Levaquin community-acquired pneumonia As above plus urinary tract infections, skin infections... 

Fluoroquinolones. Ciprofloxacin and enoxacin (Pene-trex) may markedly increase serum concentrations of medications such as theophylline by inhibiting their hepatic metabolism. Certain other fluoroquinolones, such as levofloxacin (Levaquin), are not likely to inhibit hepatic enzyme systems and interact with these medications. 

Because ofloxacin has an a.synimetric carbon atom in its structure, it is obtained and supplied commercially as a race-mate. The racemic mixture has been rc.solved, and (he enantiomers independently synihe.sized and evaluated for antibacterial activity. The 35(-) isomer is substantially more active (8 to 125 times, depending on the bacterial species) than the 3/f( -f) isomer and has recently been marketed as levofloxacin (Levaquin) for the same indications as the race-mate. 

Levofloxacin (Levaquin) Protein-Binding 50% Half-Life 6 hours IV 500 mg/d 7-14 days... 

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