Levofloxacin Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Levofloxacin

Brand Name: Levaquin

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes: Antibiotic, Fluoroquinolone

Therapeutic actions

Bactericidal: interferes with DNA by inhibiting DNA synase replication in susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, preventing cell reproduction.

Indications

· Treatment of adults with community-acquired pneumonia, acute maxillary sinusitis caused by susceptible bacteria

· Treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis caused by susceptible bacteria

· Treatment of complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria

· Treatment of complicated and uncomplicated UTIs and acute pyelonephritis caused by susceptible bacteria

· Treatment of nosocomial pneumonia due to methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas strains, Serratia, E. coli, Klebsiella, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae

Contraindications

· Contraindicated with allergy to fluoroquinolones, pregnancy, lactation.

Adverse effects

Headache, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, somnolence, blurred vision

Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, abdominal pain (occur less with this drug than with oflaxacin), constipation, flatulence

Elevated BUN, AST, ALT, serum creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase; neutropenia, anemia

Fever, rash, photosensitivity, muscle and joint tenderness

Drug Interactions:

· Decreased therapeutic effect with iron salts, sulcrafate, antacids, zinc, magnesium (separate by at least 2 hr)

· Increased risk of seizures with NSAIDs; avoid this combination

Drug-alternative therapy

· Increased risk of severe photosensitivity reactions if combined with St. John's wort therapy

Nursing considerations

· Arrange for culture and sensitivity tests before beginning therapy.

· Continue therapy as indicated for condition being treated.

· Administer oral drug 1 hr before or 2 hr after meals with a glass of water; separate oral drug from other cation administration, including antacids, by at least 2 hr.

· Ensure that patient is well hydrated during course of therapy.

· Discontinue drug at any sign of hypersensitivity (rash, photophobia) or at complaint of tendon pain, inflammation, or rupture.

· Monitor clinical response; if no improvement is seen or a relapse occurs, repeat culture and sensitivity test.