ALVAND ® Levofloxacin

ALVAND ® is a drug based on Levofloxacin hemihydrate

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antimicrobials - antibiotics for systemic use

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications ALVAND ® Levofloxacin

ALVAND ® is indicated in the treatment of respiratory, urinary, skin and soft tissue infections sustained by organisms sensitive to Fluoroquinolones and more precisely to Levofloxacin.

Mechanism of action ALVAND ® Levofloxacin

ALVAND ® is a drug based on Levofloxacin, the active ingredient belonging to the third generation Fluoroquinolones, therefore metabolically more stable than the predecessors, and characterized by an extensive antimicrobial activity including also Streptococci, Haemophilus Influenzae, intracellular bacteria, mycobacteria and in some cases species anaerobes.

As for the other Fluoroquinolones, Levofloxacin also acts by inhibiting DNA duplication, acting very probably through a dual mechanism of action which involves the simultaneous inhibition of enzymes such as DNA-gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV.

Despite the excellent pharmacokinetic properties, which allow a rapid systemic absorption of the active principle, and the marked bacteriostatic activity, also active against Streptococci, and in particular Streptococcus pneumoniae, the scientific literature reports the continuous appearance of strains resistant to therapy with Fluoroquinolones, therefore responsible for generally serious clinical pictures for which the common drug therapy is not sufficient.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

LEVOFLXACINA AND TENDINITI

Clinical study that reveals the appearance of tendon disorders, of large joints, in hemodialysis patients subjected simultaneously to Levofloxacin therapy, thus highlighting the pharmacokinetic alterations of the antibiotic induced by renal pathologies.

LEVOFLOXACINE AND ENTEROEMORRAGIC E.COLI

Work that contradicts the hypothesis that Levofloxacin therapy may induce hemolytic uremic syndrome in patients infected with E. coli enterohemorrhagic as the serotype O157.

DIFFUSION OF MULTIRESISTIC STRIPS

Study demonstrating that the presence of microorganisms resistant to Fluoroquinolones, particularly widespread in the Asian population, may compromise the efficacy of triple therapy, including Levofloxacin, in the eradication of H.Pylori.

Method of use and dosage

ALVAND ®

Levofloxacin 250 - 500 mg coated tablets.

The therapeutic regimen should be defined by your doctor based on the patient's pathophysiological conditions, the severity of the clinical picture and the therapeutic goals.

Generally speaking, the range of Levofloxacin between 250 mg and 1000 mg a day, taken in single or double administration, is effective in most of the pathological conditions, taking care however to continue the use of the drug for at least 48-72 hours from the remission of febrile symptoms.

Warnings ALVAND ® Levofloxacin

Like the other fluoroquinolones, even for Levofloxacin it is necessary to comply with some precautions in order to avoid the appearance of unpleasant side effects, thus maintaining safe and effective therapy.

More precisely it would be advisable to pay particular attention to direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation following therapy with ALVAND ®, in order to avoid the appearance of photosensitization rash and erythema.

The same caution should be reserved for patients suffering from glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, given the increased risk of hemolytic episodes and to elderly patients or those suffering from renal diseases, for which the half-life of the drug would therefore be particularly prolonged.

More rarely, especially following prolonged use of Fluoroquinolones, it has been possible to record the appearance of pseudomembranous colitis from Clostridium difficile and arthropathies especially in growing children.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The absence of studies capable of demonstrating the safety of Levofloxacin for fetal health and the known pharmacokinetic characteristics of the antibiotic that cause drug accumulation in breast milk, extend the contraindications to the use of ALVAND ® also to pregnancy and the subsequent breastfeeding period.

Interactions

In order to avoid the appearance of unpleasant side effects, keeping ALVAND ® safe, it would be advisable to avoid the simultaneous administration of

Foods, supplements and drugs containing divalent metals, given the ability to form chelating complexes, responsible for reducing the therapeutic efficacy of the antibiotic;
Tiazanidine, methotrexate, theophylline, xanthine and phenytoin due to the altered tubular secretion induced by Fluoroquinolone and the consequent strengthening of biological and collateral effects;
Oral anticoagulants, due to the increased anticoagulant activity induced by the antibiotic.

Contraindications ALVAND ® Levofloxacin

The use of ALVAND ® is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to Levofloxacin or to one of its excipients, in epileptic patients, with a history of tendon and osteoarticular diseases associated with the use of fluoroquinolones and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

The ALVAND ® -based therapy, in some cases, is associated with the emergence of fortunately transient side effects, characterized by:

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and in severe cases pseudomembranous colitis;
Hypertransaminasemia and impaired renal function;
Headache, irritability, convulsions and epileptogenic risk;
Rarely tendinitis and arthralgia, especially during growth phases.