An Introduction to Levaquin Dosage
The dose of
Levaquin® (
levofloxacin) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age and weight
- The type of infection and bacteria
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As with any medication, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Levaquin Dosing for Adults, Children, and Infants
There is no "standard" Levaquin dose that is recommended for all situations. Your healthcare provider will calculate the appropriate dosage taking into account several factors, including your weight, the severity of the infection, the type of the infection, and the type of bacteria causing the infection. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions carefully.
Be sure to finish your prescription, even if you start to feel better. Stopping Levaquin too soon could lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The length of time your healthcare recommends that you take Levaquin will depend on the type and severity of your infections. Some infections can be treated with as few as three days of Levaquin; others require much longer use. For instance, the recommended length of treatment for
anthrax exposure is 60 days.
While Levaquin is usually taken once a day, people with kidney disease (who do not clear Levaquin from the body well) may need to take the drug every other day. A lower dosage may also be recommended for people with kidney disease.
