Tavanic

How does it work?

Tavanic tablets and injection contain the active ingredient levofloxacin, which is a type of medicine called a quinolone antibiotic. Antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Levofloxacin works by killing the bacteria that are causing an infection. It does this by entering the bacterial cells and inhibiting a bacterial enzyme called DNA-gyrase. This enzyme is involved in replicating and repairing the genetic material (DNA) of the bacteria. If this enzyme doesn't work, the bacteria cannot reproduce or repair themselves and this kills the bacteria.

Levofloxacin is effective against a large number of bacteria. It is used to treat a range of infections, including infections of the chest, urinary tract and skin.

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to levofloxacin, your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.

What is it used for?

Bacterial infection of the sinuses

Acute flare-ups of chronic bronchitis

Community-acquired pneumonia

Bacterial infections of the urinary tract, such as cystitis and kidney infections (pyelonephritis)

Chronic bacterial infection of the prostate gland (prostatitis)

Bacterial infections of the skin or soft tissue

Warning!

You should not take iron tablets or indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medicine, because these can reduce the absorption of the antibiotic from the gut. If you need to take iron tablets or indigestion remedies they should be taken at least two hours before or after taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness or visual disturbances that may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.

Avoid exposing your skin to excessive sunlight, sunlamps or sunbeds while taking levofloxacin, as it may increase the sensitivity of your skin to UV light. If you get a rash or other skin reaction on exposure to sunlight you should stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, you get diarrhoea either during or after taking this medicine, particularly if it becomes severe or persistent, or contains blood or mucus, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Quinolone antibiotics such as levofloxacin may on rare occasions cause tendon inflammation (tendinitis) and tendon rupture. Older people and those taking corticosteroid medication are most at risk of this. You should stop taking this medicine immediately if you experience any pain or inflammation in your joints during treatment. Rest the affected limb(s) and consult a doctor immediately.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, it is important that you finish the prescribed course of this antibiotic medicine, even if you feel better or it seems the infection has cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the infection will come back and that the bacteria will grow resistant to the antibiotic.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Decreased kidney function

History of seizures (fits)

Disorders of the brain and nervous system

History of psychiatric illness

Abnormal muscle weakness

People who lack an enzyme called G6PD in their blood (G6PD deficiency)

Hereditary blood disorders called porphyrias

People using corticosteroid medicines.

Not to be used in

Children and growing adolescents

Allergy to other quinolone-type antibiotics, eg norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin

History of tendon disorders caused by previous treatment with a quinolone-type antibiotic

Epilepsy

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. This is because levofloxacin has been shown to cause joint disease in immature animals and may therefore have this effect in humans. There are usually safer alternative antibiotics available. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used during breastfeeding, as there are usually safer alternative antibiotics available. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

Do not take iron preparations or indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.

Take at regular intervals. Complete the prescribed course unless otherwise directed.

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