Levaquin 500mg is one strength of the generic medication levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone type antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of infections. According to PriCara, the manufacturer of Levaquin, the medication may cause a number of common side effects that are not life threatening, but it has been shown to cause more serious reactions that need immediate medical treatment.
Common Side Effects
Like most antibiotics, Levaquin may cause gastrointestinal disturbance including nausea and diarrhea or, less commonly, constipation. Other common side effects associated with Levaquin may include mental changes such as headache, dizziness, anxiety or depression along with sleep disturbances including restlessness, insomnia and nightmares. Some patients taking Levaquin may experience mild skin irritation or itching, and females may notice vaginal itching or discharge. Most of these effects are mild and will go away when the medication is discontinued, but a physician should be notified if they become severe or last for more than a few days.
Serious Side Effects
Though experienced less commonly, a number of potential side effects of Levaquin may be more serious and warrant immediate medical attention. Levaquin may cause affect the heart and cause symptoms such as fast or pounding heartbeats, which may result in dizziness or fainting. It may also cause tendinitis, resulting in sudden pain or swelling in the joints of the arms or legs. Mental changes such as depression, confusion, hallucinations and unusual thoughts or behavior may occur along with the occurrence of seizures or convulsions. Levaquin has also been known to cause anemia and blood disorders that have symptoms such as easy bruising or bleeding along with nerve damage that results in numbness, tingling or burning of the hands and feet.
Liver and kidney damage have both been seen with Levaquin use, resulting in darkened urine, yellowed skin or lack of urine production along with possible fever and weakness. Use of Levaquin may occasionally result in an intestinal growth of C. difficile, which causes diarrhea that is watery or bloody. A rare allergic reaction known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) resulting in a severe skin reaction that may be fatal has also occurred with Levaquin use, and a physician should be contacted immediately at the first sign of any rash.
Contraindications
Levaquin should not be used in those who are hypersensitive to any of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including related medications such as ciprofloxacin. The medication is generally not recommended in those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it may affect the baby. The physician should be informed if other medical conditions exist such as cardiac problems, diabetes, liver or kidney disease or neurological conditions exist, as Levaquin may increase the risk of these disorders. Medications or food containing calcium or iron should not be taken at the same time as Levaquin, as they may decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotic. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the risk of Levaquin-related seizures and should be taken only after consultation with a physician.
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