In 2000, FDA approved Levaquin (levofloxacin) to treat penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae in patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP). Levaquin became the 1st antimicrobial medicine aimed to treat CAP caused by this microorganism. Now, in case of a present or suspected pneumonia resistant to penicillin, doctors are able to choose the best option for their patients. Levaquin 750 mg is the only medicine approved for a short-term (5 days) treatment of CAP.
Levaquin has been availabe on the US market for 12 years and was marketed by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical. Main indications for Levaquin are community acquired pneumonia caused by different pathogens, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, acute maxillary sinusitis, and some uncomplicated infections such as skin infections, urinary tract infections, and acute pyelonephritis. The Levaquin research data demonstrated that the drug was effective in each of the studied cases of penicillin-resistant pneumonia, including six cases with bacteremia. Since S. pneumoniae becomes more and more resistant to penicillin, Levaquin is considered a number once choice for treatment.
Levaquin is a well tolerated medicine with the most common side effects being nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and insomnia. However, recently it was discovered that Levaquin may cause seizures and tendon injuries.
Buy Levaquin and other antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone class have caused around 60 per cent of all tendon injuries in the US. Mainly, Levaquin damages the Achilles tendon that is located in the lower part of the leg. Also, the drug can cause tendon problems in shoulder, hand, biceps, and thumb.
FDA has registered more than 200 cases of tendonitis and more than 250 cases of tendon ruptures related to fluoroquinolones therapy. Starting from 1996, Levaquin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics have caused problems with tendon in hundreds of people.
If you follow a Levaquin therapy and noticed the following symptoms, inform your therapist as soon as possible:
acute pain occurred suddenly in a tendon swelling at the tendon's site difficulty moving the extremities due to pain or other condition.
Even if Levaquin is considered a safe medication for children, it is better to treat them with another medicine to avoid possible tendon problems which may occur even years after the treatment. Due to this severe side effect, Levaquin sales go down every year.
Levaquin is available in form of tablets, injections, and suspension for those adult patients who have problems swallowing tablets.
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