Levofloxacin (Page 13 of 15)

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING

Levofloxacin, USP is supplied as 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg capsule-shaped, coated tablets. Levofloxacin tablets, USP are packaged in bottles and in unit-dose blister strips in the following configurations:

  • Levofloxacin tablets, USP 250 mg are pink coloured, capsule shaped, biconvex, film coated tablets, debossed “ML 62” on one side and plain on other side.
    • bottles of 50s (NDC 33342-021-08)
    • bottles of 100s (NDC 33342-021-11)
    • blister of 50s (NDC 33342-021-31)
    • blister of 100s (NDC 33342-021-12)

  • Levofloxacin tablets, USP 500 mg are peach coloured, capsule shaped, film coated tablets, biconvex, debossed “ML 63” on one side and plain on other side.
    • bottles of 50s (NDC 33342-022-08)
    • bottles of 100s (NDC 33342-022-11)
    • blister of 50s (NDC 33342-022-31)
    • blister of 100s (NDC 33342-022-12)

  • Levofloxacin tablets, USP 750 mg are white coloured, capsule shaped, film coated tablets, biconvex, debossed “ML 64” on one side and plain on other side.
    • bottles of 20s (NDC 33342-023-32)
    • bottles of 100s (NDC 33342-023-11)
    • blister of 50s (NDC 33342-023-31)
    • blister of 100s (NDC 33342-023-12)

Levofloxacin tablets, USP should be stored at 20º to 25ºC (68º to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15º to 30ºC (59º to 86°F) in well-closed containers.

17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Medication Guide).

Serious Adverse Reactions
Advise patients to stop taking levofloxacin tablets if they experience an adverse reaction and to call their healthcare provider for advice on completing the full course of treatment with another antibacterial drug.

Inform patients of the following serious adverse reactions that have been associated with levofloxacin tablets or other fluoroquinolone use:

  • Disabling and Potentially Irreversible Serious Adverse Reactions That May Occur Together: Inform patients that disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions, including tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathies, and central nervous system effects, have been associated with use of levofloxacin tablets and may occur together in the same patient. Inform patients to stop taking levofloxacin tablets immediately if they experience an adverse reaction and to call their healthcare provider.
  • Tendinitis and Tendon Rupture: Instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider if they experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon, or weakness or inability to use one of their joints; rest and refrain from exercise; and discontinue levofloxacin tablets treatment. Symptoms may be irreversible. The risk of severe tendon disorder with fluoroquinolones is higher in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.
  • Peripheral Neuropathies: Inform patients that peripheral neuropathies have been associated with levofloxacin use, symptoms may occur soon after initiation of therapy and may be irreversible. If symptoms of peripheral neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness and/or weakness develop, immediately discontinue levofloxacin tablets and tell them to contact their physician.
  • Central Nervous System Effects (for example, convulsions, dizziness, lightheadedness, increased intracranial pressure): Inform patients that convulsions have been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin. Instruct patients to notify their physician before taking this drug if they have a history of convulsions. Inform patients that they should know how they react to levofloxacin tablets before they operate an automobile or machinery or engage in other activities requiring mental alertness and coordination. Instruct patients to notify their physician if persistent headache with or without blurred vision occurs.
  • Exacerbation of Myasthenia Gravis: Instruct patients to inform their physician of any history of myasthenia gravis. Instruct patients to notify their physician if they experience any symptoms of muscle weakness, including respiratory difficulties.
  • Hypersensitivity Reactions: Inform patients that levofloxacin can cause hypersensitivity reactions, even following a single dose, and to discontinue the drug at the first sign of a skin rash, hives or other skin reactions, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, any swelling suggesting angioedema (for example, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, tightness of the throat, hoarseness), or other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
  • Hepatotoxicity: Inform patients that severe hepatotoxicity (including acute hepatitis and fatal events) has been reported in patients taking levofloxacin tablets. Instruct patients to inform their physician if they experience any signs or symptoms of liver injury including: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness, tiredness, right upper quadrant tenderness, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, light colored bowel movements or dark colored urine.
  • Aortic aneurysm and dissection: Inform patients to seek emergency medical care if they experience sudden chest, stomach, or back pain.
  • Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a common problem caused by antibiotics which usually ends when the antibiotic is discontinued. Sometimes after starting treatment with antibiotics, patients can develop watery and bloody stools (with or without stomach cramps and fever) even as late as two or more months after having taken the last dose of the antibiotic. If this occurs, instruct patients to contact their physician as soon as possible.
  • Prolongation of the QT Interval: Instruct patients to inform their physician of any personal or family history of QT prolongation or proarrhythmic conditions such as hypokalemia, bradycardia, or recent myocardial ischemia; if they are taking any Class IA (quinidine, procainamide), or Class III (amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents. Instruct patients to notify their physician if they have any symptoms of prolongation of the QT interval, including prolonged heart palpitations or a loss of consciousness.
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders in Pediatric Patients: Instruct parents to inform their child’s physician if the child has a history of joint-related problems before taking this drug. Inform parents of pediatric patients to notify their child’s physician of any joint-related problems that occur during or following levofloxacin therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) and Use in Specific Populations (8.4)].
  • Photosensitivity/Phototoxicity: Inform patients that photosensitivity/phototoxicity has been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones. Inform patients to minimize or avoid exposure to natural or artificial sunlight (tanning beds or UVA/B treatment) while taking fluoroquinolones. If patients need to be outdoors while using fluoroquinolones, instruct them to wear loose-fitting clothes that protect skin from sun exposure and discuss other sun protection measures with their physician. If a sunburn-like reaction or skin eruption occurs, instruct patients to contact their physician.
  • Lactation: Advise a lactating woman that she may pump and discard during treatment with levofloxacin and for an additional 2 days after the last dose. Alternatively, advise a lactating woman that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with levofloxacin and for an additional 2 days after the last dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2) ].

Antibacterial Resistance
Antibacterial drugs including levofloxacin should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When levofloxacin is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by levofloxacin or other antibacterial drugs in the future.
Administration with Food, Fluids, and Concomitant Medications

Patients should be informed that levofloxacin tablets may be taken with or without food. The tablets should be taken at the same time each day.

Patients should drink fluids liberally while taking levofloxacin tablets to avoid formation of a highly concentrated urine and crystal formation in the urine.

Antacids containing magnesium, or aluminum, as well as sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, and multivitamin preparations with zinc or didanosine should be taken at least two hours before or two hours after oral levofloxacin administration
Drug Interactions with Insulin, Oral Hypoglycemic Agents, and Warfarin
Patients should be informed that if they are diabetic and are being treated with insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent and a hypoglycemic reaction occurs, they should discontinue levofloxacin tablets and consult a physician.
Patients should be informed that concurrent administration of warfarin and levofloxacin tablets has been associated with increases of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) or prothrombin time and clinical episodes of bleeding. Patients should notify their physician if they are taking warfarin, be monitored for evidence of bleeding, and also have their anticoagulation tests closely monitored while taking warfarin concomitantly.
Plague and Anthrax Studies
Patients given levofloxacin tablets for these conditions should be informed that efficacy studies could not be conducted in humans for ethical and feasibility reasons. Therefore, approval for these conditions was based on efficacy studies conducted in animals.
Manufactured for:
Macleods Pharma USA, Inc.,
Princeton, NJ 08540
Manufactured by:
Macleods Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Medication Guide available at:www.macleodspharma.com/usa

Revised :01/2023

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