What is Avelox
used for?
Avelox is an antibiotic used to treat adults with
bacterial infections of the lungs, sinuses, and skin. It does not work for
viral infections (for example, the common cold).
Who should not
take Avelox?
Avelox should not be
used in individuals who:
- have
had a severe allergic reaction to any of the quinolone antibiotics
such as ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin.
- have
certain heart irregularities (prolonged QT interval) seen on an
electrocardiogram (ECG)
- have
untreated low blood potassium
- are
taking certain medicines to treat an irregular heartbeat
General Precautions with
Avelox:
- Individuals who take Avelox should not drive or
operate heavy machinery until they know that Avelox does not cause
them to get dizzy.
- Individuals who take Avelox should avoid prolonged
exposure to sunlight. Although not reported with Avelox, certain other
quinolones increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and severe
sunburn may result. Call
your doctor if you experience severe burning, redness, itching, rash,
or swelling after exposure to the sun while taking Avelox.
- The
following medications can cause Avelox to not be absorbed if taken at
the same time:
- antacids
containing aluminum or magnesium
- iron
supplements
- multivitamins
containing iron
- sucralfate
(Carafate®)
- didanosine
(Videx®)
What should I tell my
doctor or health care provider?
- Tell your health care provider if you are trying to
become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding. The
effects on the unborn child and nursing infant are unknown.
- Review all medications that you are taking with your
health care provider, including those that you take without a
prescription. Avelox can
interact with other medicines, including multivitamins. To
avoid possible additive drug effects, Avelox should not be taken
together with certain medications (such as quinidine, procainamide,
sotalol, and amiodarone) that affect the heart. In
theory, this could result in a dangerous heart rhythm disturbance.
- Some medicines also produce an effect on the
electrocardiogram test, including cisapride, erythromycin, some
antidepressants and some antipsychotic drugs. These may increase the
risk of heart beat problems when taken with Avelox. For
this reason it is important to let your health care provider know all
of the medicines that you are using.
What are some possible side
effects of Avelox? (This is not
a complete list of side effects reported with Avelox. Your health care
provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
The side effects of Avelox are
generally mild, but serious side effects have been reported in people
taking this class of drugs. These
reactions may occur after taking just one dose. If you experience any of
the following side effects, stop taking Avelox and call your doctor:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- central
nervous system (CNS) side effects including seizures, dizziness,
confusion, tremors, hallucinations, depression, or suicidal thoughts
- pain,
inflammation, or rupture of a tendon
Other side effects may
include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach
pain
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
For more detailed information about Avelox, ask your health care
provider.
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