Consumer Information for: SANDOZ LEVOFLOXACIN
Consumer Information
Information about the product including what the product is used for, dosage, warnings, proper use and side effects. This summary will not tell you everything about the product. Contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions about the product.
What the medication is used for
Sandoz Levofloxacin is used to treat bacterial infections in the:
- Skin.
- Kidneys.
- Urinary tract (bladder or prostate).
- Sinuses.
- Lungs.
What it does
Sandoz Levofloxacin is in a group of antibiotics called quinolones (kwin-o-lones) that:
- Stop growth of bacteria.
- Kill the bacteria.
- Reduce the infection.
Some infections are caused by viruses, such as the common cold. Sandoz Levofloxacin does not kill viruses.
What the medicinal ingredient is
Levofloxacin (levofloxacin hemihydrate).
What the non-medicinal ingredients are
Colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, ferric oxide yellow (250 mg and 500 mg strengths only), ferric oxide red (250 mg and 500 mg strengths only), glycerol dibehenate, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, lactose monohydrate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, sodium starch glycolate, talc, titanium dioxide.
What dosage form it comes in
Sandoz Levofloxacin tablets are terra cotta pink for the 250 mg tablet, peach coloured for the 500 mg tablet, or white for the 750 mg tablet.
When it should not be used
- you have allergic reaction to this drug or to other quinolone antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin)
- you have a history of tendinitis (inflammation of tendon or tendon rupture). This condition causes pain and tenderness just outside of joint in shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, heels, etc.
Warnings and precautions
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Talk to your doctor, if you:
- Have serious allergic reaction to levofloxacin or similar antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and others.
- Have seizures (convulsions). Tell your doctor if you have any problems in the brain, including epilepsy. Your doctor will tell you whether you should use this medication.
- Have muscle problems (e.g. weakness, joint problems). Do not use Sandoz Levofloxacin if you have or have had myasthenia gravis.
- Have previous history of inflamed tendon (fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body) and tendon rupture. Your risk for tendon problem is greater, if you are over 60 years of age, and if you are taking steroid medication, or if you have had kidney, heart or lung transplant.
- Have family history of long QT syndrome (prolongation of the heartbeat on an electrocardiogram test.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Sandoz Levofloxacin. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- have kidney problems.
- have epilepsy.
- have or have had seizures (convulsions).
- have had any problems with your heart rhythm, heart rate, or problems with low potassium.
- have diabetes and are taking anti-diabetic medications (it may interfere with blood sugar levels).
- have a disease that causes muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis).
- experience any symptoms of muscle weakness, including breathing difficulties (e.g., shortness of breath).
- have a history of tendon problems associated with antibiotics.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Talk to your doctor about how to feed your baby while you are taking Sandoz Levofloxacin.
Other warnings you should know about:
Changes in blood sugar
If you have diabetes, you may develop a hypoglycemic reaction (low blood sugar) with common symptoms such as:
- Dizziness.
- Excessive hunger.
- Lack of coordination.
- Headache.
- Fatigue.
- Fainting. Or a hyperglycemic reaction (high blood sugar) with common symptoms such as:
- Excessive thirst.
- Excessive urination.
You should call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
Allergic reaction:
If you develop one of the following:
- Hives.
- Itching.
- Skin rash.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Swelling in the face, tongue or throat.
- Other symptoms of an allergic reaction.
You should stop taking this medication and call your doctor.
Operating Heavy Machinery:
You should know that use of Sandoz Levofloxacin may cause dizziness. Please make sure that you know how to react if you are:
- driving a car.
- operate any machinery at working place.
- perform work that needs mental alertness or coordination.
Exposure to sunlight:
You should not expose yourself to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light while you are taking Sandoz Levofloxacin. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing if out in the sun
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
Interactions with this medication
- antiacids, multi-vitamins, or products containing metals (sush as aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium or zinc). See How to take Sandoz Levofloxacin.
- medicines used for ulcers (such as sucralfate). See How to take Sandoz Levofloxacin.
- medicines used for heartburn or gout (such as probenecid, cimetidine, etc).
- medicines used for treatment of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (such as theophylline)
- medications for arthritis (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen).
- blood sugar medicines (such as metformin, gliclazide, insulin, etc).
- medicines used for any heart conditions.
- blood thinner medications (such as warfarin, etc.) that used to thin the blood and prevent clots – may predispose you to the development of bleeding problems.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (such as urine screening for opiates), possibly causing false test results.
Proper use of this medication
You should swallow the whole tablet with or without food.
Try to take the tablet at the same time and drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Do not share your medicine with anyone.
Antibacterial drugs like Sandoz Levofloxacin treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Although you may feel better early in the treatment, Sandoz Levofloxacin should be used exactly as directed. Misuse or overuse of Sandoz Levofloxacin could lead to the growth of bacterial that will not be killed by Sandoz Levofloxacin (resistance). This means that Sandoz Levofloxacin may not work in the future.
Ask your pharmacist about the other products you take. Some medicines will affect the way that your body absorbs TEVA-LEVOFLOXACIN. Take TEVA-LEVOFLOXACIN at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking these medicines. Some examples include: vitamins/minerals (including iron and zinc supplements), and products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium (such as antacids, calcium supplements).
Usual Adult Dose
You should take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor.
The dosage and length of the treatment depends on your kidney function, medical condition, and response to treatment. It may last for 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 or 28 days depending on your condition.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Side effects and what to do about them
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Sandoz Levofloxacin. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.
| Symptom/Effect | Talk to your doctor or pharmacist Only if severe | Talk to your doctor or pharmacist In all cases | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help |
|---|---|---|---|
| VERY COMMON | |||
| Nausea | ✔ | ||
| Headache | ✔ | ||
| Diarrhea (have slightly soft to watery stool) | ✔ | ||
| Insomnia (lack of sleep) | ✔ | ||
| Dizziness (drowsiness, light headedness) | ✔ | ||
| Constipation (hart to pass stool) | ✔ | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Abdominal or stomach pain or discomfort | ✔ | ||
| Vomiting | ✔ | ||
| Dyspepsia (discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen) | ✔ | ||
| Dyspnea (shortness of breath) | ✔ | ||
| Moniliasis (yeast infection of the mouth and throat) | ✔ | ||
| Skin rash | ✔ | ||
| Pruritus (itching) | ✔ | ||
| Vaginal itching and discharge | ✔ | ||
| Edema (swelling caused by excess fluid in your body) | ✔ | ||
| Chest pain | ✔ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Stomach cramps or pain (severe) | ✔ | ||
| Agitation (purposeless movements) | ✔ | ||
| Blisters | ✔ | ||
| Confusion | ✔ | ||
| Diarrhea (watery and severe) which may also be bloody | ✔ | ||
| Feeling that others can hear your thoughts or control your behavior | ✔ | ||
| Fever | ✔ | ||
| Pain, inflammation, or swelling in the calves of the legs, shoulders, or hands, including tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis) | ✔ | ||
| Redness and swelling of the skin | ✔ | ||
| Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there | ✔ | ||
| Sensation of burning on the skin | ✔ | ||
| Severe mood or mental changes | ✔ | ||
| Neuropathy (problems in the nerves such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness or weakness) | ✔ | ||
| Skin rash, itching, or redness – sun sensitivity (photosensitivity), which can appear as skin eruption or severe sunburn | ✔ | ||
| Trembling | ✔ | ||
| Unusual behavior | ✔ | ||
| Severe/persistent headache | ✔ | ||
| Vision changes | ✔ | ||
| Shaking (tremors), seizures (convulsions) | ✔ | ||
| Severe dizziness, fainting | ✔ | ||
| Fast/irregular heartbeat | ✔ | ||
Mental Health Problems:
|
✔ | ||
Neurological Problems:
|
✔ | ||
Rise in the pressure within your skull:
|
✔ | ||
Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar):
|
✔ | ||
| Signs of liver problems (such as persistent nausea/vomiting, stomach abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine) | ✔ | ||
| Aortic aneurysm (abnormal bulge in a large blood vessel called the aorta) /Aortic dissection (tear in the wall of the aorta): dizziness, loss of consciousness, pulsating sensation in the abdomen, sudden, severe pain in abdomen, chest or back. | ✔ | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
How to store
Sandoz Levofloxacin tablets should be stored in a well-closed container between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from moisture.
Keep out of reach and sight of children.
Do not use after the expiry date. Generally, all expired medications should be returned to your pharmacist.
More information
This document, plus the full product monograph prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting the sponsor, Sandoz Canada Inc., at:
1-800-361-3062
or
by written request at:
145, Jules-Léger
Boucherville, (QC), Canada
J4B 1E6
or by e-mail at :
medinfo@sandoz.com
This leaflet was prepared by Sandoz Canada Inc.
Last revised: September 17, 2019
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