Levaquin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic in clinical practice that has utilisation is in clinical conditions such as infections of the skin, chest infections and urinary tract infections. It is prescribed in varying doses depending upon the clinical condition and in this article we shall briefly review the dosage of Levaquin.
Below are some of the common conditions for which Levaquin is prescribed and the recommended doses.
Levaquin may be given as an oral medication or intravenously depending upon the severity of the pneumonia. Typical doses are Levaquin 500 mg twice a day for a period of seven days administered orally. In severe infections or in those in home the infection is causing a great deal of distress, intravenous doses of 500 mg given once or twice a day is administered for a period of 7 to 14 days.
Pneumonia may be caused by different organisms and in some cases it is only prescribe for a period of five days.
In patients who suffer from skin and soft tissue infections, levofloxacin 500 mg administered either orally or intravenously (depending upon the severity) is sufficient for a period of seven days. However, in those who have more complicated infections, 750 mg either orally or intravenously is given once a day for seven days. This may be extended to 14 days if there is no recovery.
Urinary tract infection
In urinary tract infections, Levaquin to wear and 50 mg is usually prescribed orally or intravenously for a period of 7 to 10 days. This depends on the cause however and in patients who have complicated unary tract infections due to organisms such as E. coli, levofloxacin 750 mg is administered either orally or intravenously once-a-day for a period of five days.
Similarly, in bladder infections, 250 mg orally or intravenously is administered once a day for a period of three days.
Levofloxacin has clinical applications in the management of tuberculosis once it has been confirmed. The dosage however is not approved by the US FDA and many a times administering levofloxacin in patients with suspected tuberculosis without a confirmation of diagnosis can mask the clinical condition itself.
However, if levofloxacin is administered, it is given at a dose of 500 mg to 1000 mg orally or intravenously once-a-day. The duration of therapy is variable and can go on for a period of 18 months to 2 years sometimes.
Prostate inflammation, also called prostatitis can be caused by bacteria. The use of Levaquin at 500 mg orally or intravenously once a day is helpful when given for a period of 28 days.
In patients who have renal failure, special levofloxacin renal dosing must be applied. In order to achieve this, a tummy tuck called creatinine clearance must be calculated. The dose is usually reduced if the creatinine clearance is low.
Levofloxacin i.e. Levaquin has numerous clinical applications and is utilised in varying doses in order to obtain an optimal clinical effect.