Product Information
Levaquin Medication
Levaquin medication is a quinolone antibiotic used in adults to treat lung,
sinus, skin, and urinary tract infections caused by certain germs called bacteria.
Levaquin medication kills many of the types of bacteria that can infect the
lungs, sinuses, skin, and urinary tract and has been shown in a large number
of clinical trials to be safe and effective for the treatment of many bacterial
infections.
Levaquin medication, like other antibiotics, does not kill viruses.
Antibiotic: Information
Antibiotics are among the most frequently prescribed medications in modern
medicine. Since their discovery in the 1930s, antibiotics have made it possible
to cure diseases caused by bacteria such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and meningitis
- saving the lives of millions of people around the world.
Antibiotics cure disease by killing or injuring bacteria. The first antibiotic
was penicillin, discovered accidentally from a mold culture. Today, over 100
different antibiotics are available to doctors to cure minor discomforts as
well as life-threatening infections.
Different antibiotics destroy bacteria in different ways. Some short-circuit
the processes by which bacteria receive energy. Others disturb the structure
of the bacterial cell wall, as shown in the illustration above. Still others
interfere with the production of essential proteins.)
Although antibiotics are useful in a wide variety of infections, it is important
to realize that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics are
useless against viral infections (for example, the common cold) and fungal infections
(such as ringworm). Your doctor can best determine if an antibiotic is right
for your condition.
But antibiotics must be used wisely. Because bacteria are living organisms,
they are always changing in an effort to resist the drugs that can kill them.
When antibiotics are used incorrectly, bacteria can adapt and become resistant.
Antibiotics are then no longer useful in fighting them. Antibiotic resistance
is now a major public health issue. The correct use of these drugs is the best
way to ensure that antibiotics remain useful in treating infections.
Bacterial infections: Infection
Bacterial infections are caused by the presence and growth of microorganisms
that damage host tissue. The extent of infection is generally determined by
how many organisms are present and the toxins they release.
Worldwide, bacterial infections are responsible for more deaths than any other
cause. Symptoms can include inflammation and swelling, pain, heat, redness,
and loss of function. The most important risk factors are burns, severe trauma,
low white blood cell counts, patients on immunotherapy treatment, and anyone
with malnutrition or vitamin deficiency.
Bacteria are generally spread from an already infected person to the newly
infected person. The most common invasion routes are inhalation of airborne
bacteria, ingestion into the stomach from dirty hands or utensils, or through
contaminated food or water, direct contact with an infected area of another
person's body, contaminated blood, or by insect bite.
The first of the body's three primary lines of defense includes naturally occurring
chemicals such as the lysozymes found in tears, gastric acid of the stomach,
pancreatic enzymes of the bowel, and fatty acids in the skin. The body's immune
response becomes involved only if the infective organism manages to invade the
body. Nonspecific immune response--the body's second line of defense--consists
primarily of inflammation, whereas specific immune response--the third line
of defense--relies on the activation of lymphocytes, which send T- and B-cells
to try to recognize the specific type of organism involved. T-cells marshal
cytotoxic cells, which are sent to destroy the organism, and B-cells produce
the antibodies--immunoglobulins--that can destroy specific types of bacteria.
Classes of Antibiotics
1. Penicillins
The penicillin class of antibiotics is a diverse, yet highly essential class of antibiotics. The penicillin class includes penicillin G, penicillin V, amoxicillin, ampicillin, nafcillin, ticarcillin (combined with clavulanic acid = Timentin), Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanic acid), Zosyn, and many, many others. Penicillins work by damaging the cell wall of the bacteria.
Penicillin and all of its derivatives come from a mold, Penicillium notatum, which is toxic bluish-green mold often found on old bread. The mold must be carefully processed to produce the penicillin. This compound was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1929 and was made famous during World War II. These antibiotics are used to treat a variety of infections including strep throat, upper respiratory infections, salmonella (food poisoning), gonorrhea, chlamydia, and many other infections.
2. Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are another widely used class of antibiotics. They are similar to penicillins in structure, but in general, can treat a broader range of infections. For example, these antibiotics are used to treat strep throat, cellulitis, E. coli infections, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, and gonorrhea. Cephalosporins act by disrupting the bacterial cell wall.
A few of the medications in this class include:
- cephalexin (Keflex)
- cefazolin (Ancef or Kefzol)
- cefaclor (Ceclor)
- loracarbef (Lorabid)
- ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- cefotaxime (Claforan)
3. Sulfa Drugs
Sulfa drugs are the oldest antibiotics available and are also among the best. Sulfa was first used in 1930's. Sulfa drugs include sulfamethoxazole, a component of Bactrim®, sulfasoxazole, and many others. These drugs are used to treat a variety of infections including urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and pneumonia. Sulfa compounds work by inhibiting nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) synthesis.
4. Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are antibiotics often used to treat penicillin-resistant infections. Tetracyclines are often used to treat gonorrhea, chlamydia, lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, and pneumonia.
Tetracyline antibiotics include doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline. These compounds are antimicrobial because of their inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis. They bind to the cellular organelles called ribosomes, and interfere with the assembly of bacterial amino acids into proteins.
It is important to take tetracyclines at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking an antacid, drinking milk, or taking iron. Antacids, milk (due to its calcium content), and iron decrease the absorption of tetracyclines.
Tetracyclines can cause bone deformities in children, and should not be given to anyone under the age of 8. The most common side effects of tetracyclines include diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and sore mouth. Tetracyclines may increase sensitivity to the sun, so avoid prolonged exposure and wear sunscreen when taking such compounds.
5. Macrolides
Macrolides are a class of drugs that are entirely different from penicillins, but are often used to treat many of the same diseases. Penicillins work by damaging the cell wall of the bacteria. In contrast, macrolides inhibit protein synthesis but by a different mechanism than tetracycline. The structural differences in macrolides also make them ideal alternatives to penicillin in patients who have penicillin allergies.
Macrolides are often used to treat pneumonia, whooping cough, diphtheria, upper respiratory infections, bronchitis, sinus infections, and many other diseases. Examples of macrolides include:
- erythromycin
- clarithromycin (Biaxin)
- azithromycin (Zithromax or Z-pak)
Common side effects with Macrolides include: stomach upset, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and nausea and vomiting.
6. Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum anti-infectives. They are used to treat a variety of infections, including strep throat, pneumonia, severe upper-respiratory infections, several of the STDs, and some of the severe hospital-acquired infections. Examples of some of the fluoroquinolones are ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin ). Ciprofloxacin has been used to treat persons exposed to anthrax in recent bioterrorism events in the US.
Common side effects with Fluoroquinolones include: diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and nausea. To help reduce the side effects, try to take these medications 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking an antacid or drinking milk.
7. Intravenous (IV) Antibiotics
Aminoglycosides
This class of antibiotics is only available as IV infusions because they are not well absorbed orally. However, they can also be given as a injection into the muscle (such as bicep or thigh).
Aminoglycosides are used to treat a variety of infections, including endocarditis, cellulitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, meningitis, pyelonephritis, severe urinary tract infections, and many other infections. These drugs work by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Examples of aminoglycosides include gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin.
Although these drugs are important agents and often are "life-saving" they must be closely monitored due to the potential for serious toxicity. It is important to inform your doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms are noticed while taking an aminoglycoside: difficulty hearing, dizziness, increased thirst, loss of balance, muscle weakness, nausea, pain or difficulty passing urine, or ringing in the ears. In particular, these compounds can be toxic to components of the nervous system, kidneys and ears.
Glycopeptides
Currently, there is only one drug in this class of antibacterials: vancomycin (Vancocin). Intravenous vancomycin is used to treat a variety of severe infections, such as penicillin-resistant pneumonia, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--a serious bacterial infection that is extremely difficult to treat, and other serious infections.
Vancomycin is also available orally, but the oral form of the drug is not absorbed well. Because it remains largely in the gut, vancomycin is one of two antibiotics used to treat pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammation of the large and small intestine caused by the effects of other antibiotics.
The most common side effects of oral vancomycin are nausea and vomiting.
Intravenous vancomycin is given primarily under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider. Common side effects from the IV include nausea, vomiting, and pain at the injection site.
Streptogrammins
This is the newest class of antibiotics on the market. Currently, there is only one drug in this class of antibacterials: the combination drug Quinupristin/Dalfopristin (Synercid).
Synercid was specifically designed to treat infections that vancomycin is unable to treat. For example, Synercid was designed to treat vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), a life-threatening, hospital-acquired infection. Synercid is currently reserved for severe infections, and is available only as an IV.
Bacteria: information
BACTERIA
Bacteria consist of only a single cell, but don't let their small size and seeming simplicity fool you. They're an amazingly complex and fascinating group of creatures. Bacteria have been found that can live in temperatures above the boiling point and in cold that would freeze your blood. They "eat" everything from sugar and starch to sunlight, sulfur and iron. There's even a species of bacteria—Deinococcus radiodurans—that can withstand blasts of radiation 1,000 times greater than would kill a human being.
Classification
Bacteria fall into a category of life called the Prokaryotes (pro-carry-oats). Prokaryotes' genetic material, or DNA, is not enclosed in a cellular compartment called the nucleus.
Bacteria and archaea are the only prokaryotes. All other life forms are Eukaryotes (you-carry-oats), creatures whose cells have nuclei.
Early Origins
Bacteria are among the earliest forms of life that appeared on Earth billions of years ago. Scientists think that they helped shape and change the young planet's environment, eventually creating atmospheric oxygen that enabled other, more complex life forms to develop. Many believe that more complex cells developed as once free-living bacteria took up residence in other cells, eventually becoming the organelles in modern complex cells. The mitochondria (mite-oh-con-dree-uh) that make energy for your body cells is one example of such an organelle.
What Bacteria Look Like
There are thousands of species of bacteria, but all of them are basically one of three different shapes. Some are rod- or stick-shaped and called bacilli (buh-sill-eye).
Others are shaped like little balls and called cocci (cox-eye).
Others still are helical or spiral in shape, like the Borrelia.
Some bacterial cells exist as individuals while others cluster together to form pairs, chains, squares or other groupings.
Where bacteria are found
Bacteria live on or in just about every material and environment on Earth from soil to water to air, and from your house to arctic ice to volcanic vents. Each square centimeter of your skin averages about 100,000 bacteria. A single teaspoon of topsoil contains more than one billion (1,000,000,000) bacteria.
How Bacteria Move
Some bacteria move about their environment by means of long, whip-like structures called flagella. They rotate their flagella like tiny outboard motors to propel themselves through liquid environments. They may also reverse the direction in which their flagella rotate so that they tumble about in one place.
Other bacteria secrete a slime layer and ooze over surfaces like slugs. Others are fairly stationary.
What Bacteria Eat
Some bacteria are photosynthetic (foe-toe-sin-theh-tick)—they can make their own food from sunlight, just like plants. Also like plants, they give off oxygen. Other bacteria absorb food from the material they live on or in. Some of these bacteria can live off unusual "foods" such as iron or sulfur. The microbes that live in your gut absorb nutrients from the digested food you've eaten.
Side effects of Antibiotics
Some of the more common side effects of Antibiotics may include:
- Soft stools or diarrhea
- Mild stomach upset
- You should notify your doctor if you have any of the following side effects:
- Vomiting
- Severe watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps
- Allergic reaction (shortness of breath, hives, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue, fainting)
- Vaginal itching or discharge
- White patches on your tongue.
