LevaquinLEVAQUINŽ belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. LEVAQUINŽ can cause side effects that may be serious or even cause death. If you get any of the following serious side effects, get medical help right away. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should continue to take LEVAQUINŽ .
- Tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis).
- Tendons are the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
- Pain, swelling, tears, and inflammation of tendons including the back of the ankle (Achilles), shoulder, hand, or other tendon sites can happen in people of all ages who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including LEVAQUINŽ.
The risk of getting tendon problems is higher if you:- are over 60 years of age
- are taking steroids (corticosteroids)
- have had a kidney, heart or lung transplant.
Swelling of the tendon (tendinitis) and tendon rupture (breakage) have also happened in patients who take fluoroquinolones who do not have the above risk factors. Other reasons for tendon ruptures can include:- physical activity or exercise
- kidney failure
- tendon problems in the past, such as in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Call your healthcare provider right away at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling or inflammation. Stop taking LEVAQUINŽ until tendinitis or tendon rupture has been ruled out by your healthcare provider. Avoid exercise and using the affected area. The most common area of pain and swelling is the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle. This can also happen with other tendons. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risk of tendon rupture with continued use of LEVAQUINŽ. You may need a different antibiotic that is not a fluoroquinolone to treat your infection.
Tendon rupture can happen while you are taking or after you have finished taking LEVAQUINŽ. Tendon ruptures have happened up to several months after patients have finished taking their fluoroquinolone.
Get medical help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of a tendon rupture:
- hear or feel a snap or pop in a tendon area
- bruising right after an injury in a tendon area
- unable to move the affected area or bear weight
What is LEVAQUINŽ? LEVAQUINŽ is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine used in adults, 18 years or older, to treat certain infections caused by certain germs called bacteria.
Children have a higher chance of getting bone, joint, or tendon (musculoskeletal) problems such as pain or swelling while taking LEVAQUINŽ. In children 6 months and older who have breathed the anthrax bacteria germ:
- LEVAQUINŽ is used to prevent anthrax disease (inhalation anthrax).
- It is not known if it is safe to use LEVAQUINŽ in children for more than 14 days.
- It is not known if LEVAQUINŽ is safe and works in children under the age of 6 months.
Sometimes infections are caused by viruses rather than by bacteria. Examples include viral infections in the sinuses and lungs, such as the common cold or flu. Antibiotics, including LEVAQUINŽ, do not kill viruses.
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