Levofloxacin (Page 3 of 16)
2.2 Dosage in Pediatric Patients
The dosage in pediatric patients ≥ 6 months of age is described below in Table 2.
Table 2: Dosage in Pediatric Patients ≥ 6 months of age
Type of Infection* | Dose | Freq. Once every | Duration† |
Inhalational Anthrax (post-exposure)‡,§ | |||
Pediatric patients > 50 kg | 500 mg | 24 hr | 60 days§ |
Pediatric patients < 50 kg and ≥ 6 months of age | 8 mg/kg (not to exceed 250 mg per dose) | 12 hr | 60 days§ |
Plague¶ | |||
Pediatric patients > 50 kg | 500 mg | 24 hr | 10 to 14 days |
Pediatric patients < 50 kg and ≥ 6 months of age | 8 mg/kg (not to exceed 250 mg per dose) | 12 hr | 10 to 14 days |
* Due to Bacillus anthracis [see Indications and Usage (1.13)] and Yersinia pestis [see Indications and Usage (1.14) ].
† Sequential therapy (intravenous to oral) may be instituted at the discretion of the physician.
‡ Drug administration should begin as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to aerosolized B. anthracis. This indication is based on a surrogate endpoint. Levofloxacin plasma concentrations achieved in humans are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit [see Clinical Studies (14.9)]
§ The safety of levofloxacin in pediatric patients for durations of therapy beyond 14 days has not been studied. An increased incidence of musculoskeletal adverse events compared to controls has been observed in pediatric patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10), Use in Specific Populations (8.4), and Clinical Studies (14.9)]. Prolonged levofloxacin therapy should only be used when the benefit outweighs the risk.
¶ Drug administration should begin as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to Yersinia pestis.
2.3 Dosage Adjustment in Adults with Renal Impairment
Administer levofloxacin with caution in the presence of renal insufficiency. Careful clinical observation and appropriate laboratory studies should be performed prior to and during therapy since elimination of levofloxacin may be reduced.
No adjustment is necessary for patients with a creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min.
In patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min), adjustment of the dosage regimen is necessary to avoid the accumulation of levofloxacin due to decreased clearance [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6)].
Table 3 shows how to adjust dose based on creatinine clearance.Table 3: Dosage Adjustment in Adult Patients with Renal Impairment (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min)
Dosage in Normal Renal Function Every 24 hours | Creatinine Clearance 20 to 49 mL/min | Creatinine Clearance 10 to 19 mL/min | Hemodialysis or Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) |
750 mg | 750 mg every 48 hours | 750 mg initial dose, then 500 mg every 48 hours | 750 mg initial dose,then 500 mg every 48 hours |
500 mg | 500 mg initial dose, then 250 mg every 24 hours | 500 mg initial dose, then 250 mg every 48 hours | 500 mg initial dose, then 250 mg every 48 hours |
250 mg | No dosage adjustment required | 250 mg every 48 hours. If treating uncomplicated UTI, then no dosage adjustment is required | No informationon dosing adjustment isavailable |
2.4 Drug Interaction With Chelation Agents: Antacids, Sucralfate, Metal Cations,
Levofloxacin Tablets
Levofloxacin tablets should be administered at least two hours before or two hours after antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, as well as sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, and multivitamin preparations with zinc or didanosine chewable/buffered tablets or the pediatric powder for oral solution [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Patient Counseling Information (17.2)].
2.5 Administration Instructions
Food and Levofloxacin Tablets
Levofloxacin tablets can be administered without regard to food.
Hydration for Patients Receiving Levofloxacin Tablets
Adequate hydration of patients receiving oral levofloxacin should be maintained to prevent the formation of highly concentrated urine. Crystalluria and cylindruria have been reported with quinolones [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) and Patient Counseling Information (17.2)].
3 DOSAGE FORMS & STRENGTHS
• Levofloxacin tablets, USP 250 mg are pink colored, capsule shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets debossed with ’25on’ one side and ‘I’ on the other side.
• Levofloxacin tablets, USP 500 mg are orange colored, capsule shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets debossed with ’26’ on one side and ‘I’ on the other side.
• Levofloxacin tablets, USP 750 mg are white colored, capsule shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets debossed with ’18’on one side and ‘I’ on the other side.
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS
Levofloxacin is contraindicated in persons with known hypersensitivity to levofloxacin, or other quinolone antibacterials [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
5.1 Disabling and Potentially Irreversible Serious Adverse Reactions Including Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Central Nervous System Effects
Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions from different body systems that can occur together in the same patient. Commonly seen adverse reactions include tendinitis, tendon rupture, arthralgia, myalgia, peripheral neuropathy, and central nervous system effects (hallucinations, anxiety, depression, insomnia, severe headaches, and confusion). These reactions can occur within hours to weeks after starting levofloxacin. Patients of any age or without pre-existing risk factors have experienced these adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3, 5.4)].
Discontinue levofloxacin immediately at the first signs or symptoms of any serious adverse reaction. In addition, avoid the use of fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, in patients who have experienced any of these serious adverse reactions associated with fluoroquinolones.
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