LEVOFLOXACIN

Levofloxacin 5 mg/mL Solution for infusion is administered by slow intravenous infusion once or twice daily. The dosage depends on the type and severity of the infection and the susceptibility of the presumed causative pathogen. Treatment with Levofloxacin 5 mg/mL Solution for infusion after initial use of the intravenous preparation may be completed with an appropriate oral presentation according to the SPC for the film-coated tablets and as considered appropriate for the individual patient.

Given the bioequivalence of the parenteral and oral forms, the same dosage can be used. Posology The following dose recommendations can be given for Levofloxacin 5 mg/mL Solution for infusion: Dosage in patients with normal renal function (creatinine clearance> 50 mL/min).

Indication Daily dose regimen (according to severity) Total duration of treatment1 (according to severity) Community-acquired pneumonia 500 mg once or twice daily 7 – 14 days Acute pyelonephritis 500 mg once daily 7 – 10 days Complicated urinary tract infections 500 mg once daily 7 – 14 days Chronic bacterial prostatitis 500 mg once daily 28 days Complicated skin and soft tissue infections 500 mg once or twice daily 7 – 14 days Inhalation anthrax 500 mg once daily 8 weeks 1Treatment duration includes intravenous plus oral treatment.

The time to switch from intravenous to oral treatment depends on the clinical situation but is normally 2 to 4 days. Special populations Impaired renal function (creatinine clearance ≤ 50 mL/min) Dose regimen 250 mg/24 h 500 mg/24 h 500 mg/12 h Creatinine clearance first dose: 250 mg first dose: 500 mg first dose: 500 mg 50 – 20 mL/min then: 125 mg/24 h then: 250 mg/24 h then: 250 mg/12 h 19 – 10 mL/min then: 125 mg/48 h then: 125 mg/24 h then: 125 mg/12 h < 10 mL/min (including haemodialysis and CAPD)1 then: 125 mg/48 h then: 125 mg/24 h then: 125 mg/24 h 1No additional doses are required after haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Impaired liver function No adjustment of dose is required since levofloxacin is not metabolised to any relevant extent by the liver and is mainly excreted by the kidneys. 4 “Tendοnitis and tendon rupture” and “QT interval prolongation”).

3). Method of administration Levofloxacin 5 mg/mL Solution for infusion is only intended for slow intravenous infusion; it is administered once or twice daily. 4). 6.

The most commonly reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, transient increase in transaminases, rash, and injection and infusion site reactions. ADRs derived from clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance with ciprofloxacin (oral, intravenous and sequential therapy) sorted by categories of frequency are listed below.

The frequency analysis takes into account data from both oral and intravenous administration of ciprofloxacin. g. 9). g. 4). A range of psychiatric symptoms may occur as part of these side effects, which may include, but are not necessarily limited to, sleep disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, confusion, or depression.

There are no pharmacological treatments established to be effective treatments of the symptoms of long lasting or disabling side effects associated with fluoroquinolones. The frequency of these prolonged, disabling and potentially irreversible serious drug reactions cannot be estimated with precision using available data, but the reporting incidence from adverse drug reaction reports indicates the frequency is at minimum between 1/1,000 and 1/10,000 (corresponding to the Rare frequency category).

4). The following undesirable effects have a higher frequency category in the subgroups of patients receiving intravenous or sequential (intravenous to oral) treatment: Common Vomiting, Transient increase in […]

8). 3). Prolonged, disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse drug reactions Cases of prolonged (continuing for months or years), disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse drug reactions affecting different, sometimes multiple, body systems (including musculoskeletal, nervous, psychiatric and senses) have been reported in patients receiving quinolones and fluoroquinolones irrespective of their age and pre-existing risk factors.

There are no pharmacological treatments established to be effective treatments of the symptoms of long lasting or disabling side effects associated with fluoroquinolones. Levofloxacin should be discontinued immediately at the first signs or symptoms of any serious adverse reaction and patients should be advised to contact their prescriber for advice, so that symptoms can be appropriately investigated and to avoid further exposure which could potentially worsen adverse reactions.

aureus are very likely to possess co-resistance to fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin. Therefore levofloxacin is not recommended for the treatment of known or suspected MRSA infections unless laboratory results have confirmed susceptibility of the organism to levofloxacin (and commonly recommended antibacterial agents for the treatment of MRSA-infections are considered inappropriate).

Resistance to fluoroquinolones of E. coli – the most common pathogen involved in urinary tract infections – varies across the European Union. Prescribers are advised to take into account the local prevalence of resistance in E. coli to fluoroquinolones.

Inhalation Anthrax Use in humans is based on in vitro Bacillus anthracis susceptibility data and on animal experimental data together with limited human data. Treating physicians should refer to national and/or international consensus documents regarding the treatment of anthrax.

Infusion Time The recommended infusion time of at least 30 minutes for 250 mg or 60 minutes for 500 mg Levofloxacin 5 mg/mL Solution for infusion should be observed. It is known for ofloxacin that during infusion tachycardia and a temporary decrease in blood pressure may develop.

1, • in patients with epilepsy, • in patients with history of tendon disorders related to fluoroquinolone administration, • in children or growing adolescents, • during pregnancy, • in breast-feeding women.