6.1 Serious and Otherwise Important Adverse Reactions
The following serious and otherwise important adverse drug reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of labeling:
Hypotension has been associated with rapid or bolus intravenous infusion of levofloxacin. Levofloxacin should be infused slowly over 60 to 90 minutes, depending on dosage [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
Crystalluria and cylindruria have been reported with quinolones, including levofloxacin. Therefore, adequate hydration of patients receiving levofloxacin should be maintained to prevent the formation of a highly concentrated urine [see Dosage and Administration (2.5)].
6.2 Clinical Trial Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
The data described below reflect exposure to levofloxacin in 7,537 patients in 29 pooled Phase 3 clinical trials. The population studied had a mean age of 50 years (approximately 74% of the population was <65 years of age), 50% were male, 71% were Caucasian, 19% were Black. Patients were treated with levofloxacin for a wide variety of infectious diseases [see Indications and Usage (1)]. Patients received levofloxacin doses of 750 mg once daily, 250 mg once daily, or 500 mg once or twice daily. Treatment duration was usually 3–14 days, and the mean number of days on therapy was 10 days.
The overall incidence, type and distribution of adverse reactions was similar in patients receiving levofloxacin doses of 750 mg once daily, 250 mg once daily, and 500 mg once or twice daily. Discontinuation of levofloxacin due to adverse drug reactions occurred in 4.3% of patients overall, 3.8% of patients treated with the 250 mg and 500 mg doses and 5.4% of patients treated with the 750 mg dose. The most common adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation with the 250 and 500 mg doses were gastrointestinal (1.4%), primarily nausea (0.6%); vomiting (0.4%); dizziness (0.3%); and headache (0.2%). The most common adverse drug reactions leading to discontinuation with the 750 mg dose were gastrointestinal (1.2%), primarily nausea (0.6%), vomiting (0.5%); dizziness (0.3%); and headache (0.3%).
Adverse reactions occurring in ≥1% of levofloxacin-treated patients and less common adverse reactions, occurring in 0.1 to <1% of levofloxacin-treated patients, are shown in Table 4 and Table 5, respectively. The most common adverse drug reactions (≥3%) are nausea, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, constipation, and dizziness.
Table 4: Common (≥1%) Adverse Reactions Reported in Clinical Trials with LevofloxacinSystem/Organ Class | Adverse Reaction | % (N=7,537) |
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|
Infections and Infestations | moniliasis | 1 |
Psychiatric Disorders | insomnia* [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] | 4 |
Nervous System Disorders | headache dizziness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] | 6 3 |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders | dyspnea [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] | 1 |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | nausea diarrhea constipation abdominal pain vomiting dyspepsia | 7 5 3 2 2 2 |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | rash [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] pruritus | 2 1 |
Reproductive System and Breast Disorders | vaginitis | 1† |
General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions | edema injection site reaction chest pain | 1 1 1 |
Table 5: Less Common (0.1 to 1%) Adverse Reactions Reported in Clinical Trials with Levofloxacin (N=7,537)System/Organ Class | Adverse Reaction |
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|
Infections and Infestations | genital moniliasis |
Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders | anemia thrombocytopenia granulocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] |
Immune System Disorders | allergic reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6, 5.7)] |
Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders | hyperglycemia hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)] hyperkalemia |
Psychiatric Disorders | anxiety agitation confusion depression hallucination nightmare* [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] sleep disorder* anorexia abnormal dreaming*
|
Nervous System Disorders | tremor convulsions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] paresthesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] vertigo hypertonia hyperkinesias abnormal gait somnolence* syncope |
Respiratory, Thoracic and Mediastinal Disorders | epistaxis |
Cardiac Disorders | cardiac arrest palpitation ventricular tachycardia ventricular arrhythmia |
Vascular Disorders | phlebitis |
Gastrointestinal Disorders | gastritis stomatitis pancreatitis esophagitis gastroenteritis glossitis pseudomembranous/ C. difficile colitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] |
Hepatobiliary Disorders | abnormal hepatic function increased hepatic enzymes increased alkaline phosphatase |
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders | urticaria [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] |
Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders | arthralgia tendinitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] myalgia skeletal pain |
Renal and Urinary Disorders | abnormal renal function acute renal failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] |
In clinical trials using multiple-dose therapy, ophthalmologic abnormalities, including cataracts and multiple punctate lenticular opacities, have been noted in patients undergoing treatment with quinolones, including levofloxacin. The relationship of the drugs to these events is not presently established.