Prescription Drug Information: Levofloxacin

LEVOFLOXACIN — levofloxacin tablet, film coated
RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

WARNING: SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS

• Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] , including:
o Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
o Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ]
o Central nervous system effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]

Discontinue levofloxacin immediately and avoid the use of fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, in patients who experience any of these serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]

• Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. Avoid levofloxacin in patients with a known history of myasthenia gravis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ].

• Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1-5.15) ], reserve levofloxacin for use in patients who have no alternative treatment options for the following indications:
o Uncomplicated urinary tract infection [see Indications and Usage (1.12) ]
o Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis [see Indications and Usage (1.13) ]
o Acute bacterial sinusitis [see Indications and Usage (1.14)].

1 INDICATIONS & USAGE

1.1 Nosocomial Pneumonia

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Streptococcus pneumoniae. Adjunctive therapy should be used as clinically indicated. Where Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a documented or presumptive pathogen, combination therapy with an anti-pseudomonal β-lactam is recommended [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ].

1.2 Community-Acquired Pneumonia: 7 to 14 day Treatment Regimen

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus pneumoniae (including multi-drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae [MDRSP]), Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila , or Mycoplasma pneumoniae [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1) and Clinical Studies (14.2)].

MDRSP isolates are isolates resistant to two or more of the following antibacterials: penicillin (MIC ≥2 mcg/mL), 2nd generation cephalosporins, e.g., cefuroxime, macrolides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.

1.3 Community-Acquired Pneumonia: 5-day Treatment Regimen


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (excluding multi-drug-resistant isolates [MDRSP]), Haemophilus influenzae , Haemophilus parainfluenzae , Mycoplasma pneumoniae , or Chlamydophila pneumoniae [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) and Clinical Studies (14.3) ].

1.4 Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Proteus mirabilis [see Clinical Studies (14.5)].

1.5 Uncomplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (mild to moderate) including abscesses, cellulitis, furuncles, impetigo, pyoderma, wound infections, due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus pyogenes.

1.6 Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis due to Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis , or methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis [see Clinical Studies (14.6) ].

1.7 Inhalational Anthrax (Post-Exposure)

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated for inhalational anthrax (post-exposure) to reduce the incidence or progression of disease following exposure to aerosolized Bacillus anthracis in adults and pediatric patients, 6 months of age and older [see Dosage and Administration (2.2)]. . The effectiveness of levofloxacin tablets are based on plasma concentrations achieved in humans, a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. Levofloxacin tablets has not been tested in humans for the post-exposure prevention of inhalation anthrax. The safety of levofloxacin tablets in adults for durations of therapy beyond 28 days or in pediatric patients for durations of therapy beyond 14 days has not been studied.

Prolonged levofloxacin tablets therapy should only be used when the benefit outweighs the risk [see Clinical Studies (14.9)].

1.8 Plague


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated for treatment of plague, including pneumonic and septicemic plague, due to Yersinia pestis (Y. pestis) and prophylaxis for plague in adults and pediatric patients, 6 months of age and older [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ]. Efficacy studies of levofloxacin tablets could not be conducted in humans with plague for ethical and feasibility reasons. Therefore, approval of this indication was based on an efficacy study conducted in animals [see Clinical Studies (14.10) ].

1.9 Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: 5-day Treatment Regimen


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Proteus mirabilis [see Clinical Studies (14.7)].

1.10 Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: 10-day Treatment Regimen

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (mild to moderate) due to Enterococcus faecalis , Enterobacter cloacae , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Proteus mirabilis , or Pseudomonas aeruginosa [see Clinical Studies (14.8)].

1.11 Acute Pyelonephritis: 5 or 10-day Treatment Regimen


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis caused by Escherichia coli , including cases with concurrent bacteremia [see Clinical Studies (14.7, 14.8)].

1.12 Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (mild to moderate) due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15.15)] and for some patients uncomplicated urinary tract infection is self-limiting, reserve levofloxacin tablets for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections in patients who have no alternative treatment options.

1.13 Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis


Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB) due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae , or Moraxella catarrhalis.
Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15.15)] and for some patients ABECB is self-limiting, reserve levofloxacin tablets for treatment of ABECB in patients who have no alternative treatment options.

1.14 Acute Bacterial Sinusitis: 5-day and 10-14day Treatment Regimens

Levofloxacin tablets are indicated in adult patients for the treatment of acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, or Moraxella catarrhalis [see Clinical Studies (14.4)].

Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin have been associated with serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15.15)] and for some patients ABS is self-limiting, reserve levofloxacin tablets for treatment of ABS in patients who have no alternative treatment options.

1.15 Usage

To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of levofloxacin and other antibacterial drugs, levofloxacin should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. When culture and susceptibility information are available, they should be considered in selecting or modifying antibacterial therapy. In the absence of such data, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may contribute to the empiric selection of therapy.

Culture and susceptibility testing
Appropriate culture and susceptibility tests should be performed before treatment in order to isolate and identify organisms causing the infection and to determine their susceptibility to levofloxacin [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. Therapy with levofloxacin tablets may be initiated before results of these tests are known; once results become available, appropriate therapy should be selected.

As with other drugs in this class, some isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa may develop resistance fairly rapidly during treatment with levofloxacin tablets. Culture and susceptibility testing performed periodically during therapy will provide information about the continued susceptibility of the pathogens to the antimicrobial agent and also the possible emergence of bacterial resistance

2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosage of Levofloxacin Tablets in Adult Patients with Creatinine Clearance > 50mL/minute

The usual dose of Levofloxacin Tablets is 250 mg, 500 mg, or 750 mg administered orally every 24 hours, as indicated by infection and described in Table 1.

These recommendations apply to patients with creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/minute. For patients with creatinine clearance less than 50 mL/min, adjustments to the dosing regimen are required [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ].

Table 1: Dosage of Levofloxacin Tablets in Adult Patients with Creatinine Clearance greater than or equal to 50 mL/minute)

Type of Infection* Dosed Every 24 hours Duration (days)
Nosocomial Pneumonia 750 mg 7 to 14
Community Acquired Pneumonia 500 mg 7 to 14
Community Acquired Pneumonia§ 750 mg§ 5§
Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections (SSSI) 750 mg 7 to 14
Uncomplicated SSSI 500 mg 7 to 10
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis 500 mg 28
Inhalational Anthrax (Post-Exposure), adult and pediatric patients weighing 50 kg Þ,ß or greater Pediatric patients weighing 30 kg to less than 50 kg Þ,ß 500 mg see Table 2 below (2.2) 60ß 60ß
Plague, adult and pediatric patients weighing 50 kg à or greater Pediatric patients weighing 30 kg to less than 50 kg 500 mg see Table 2 below (2.2) 10 to 14 10 to 14
Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) or Acute Pyelonephritis (AP) 750 mg 5
Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (cUTI) or Acute Pyelonephritis (AP)# 250 mg# 10#
Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection 250 mg 3
Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (ABECB) 500 mg 7
Acute Bacterial Sinusitis (ABS) 750 mg 5
500 mg 10 to 14

* Due to the designated pathogens [see Indications and Usage (1) ].
† Sequential therapy (intravenous levofloxacin to oral levofloxacin tablets) may be instituted at the discretion of the healthcare provider.
‡ Due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (including multi-drug-resistant isolates [MDRSP]), Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, or Mycoplasma pneumoniae [see Indications and Usage (1.2) ].

§ Due to Streptococcus pneumoniae (excluding multi-drug-resistant isolates [MDRSP]), Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or Chlamydophila pneumoniae [see Indications and Usage (1.3) ].

¶ This regimen is indicated for cUTI due to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae , Proteus mirabilis and AP due to E. coli , including cases with concurrent bacteremia.

# This regimen is indicated for cUTI due to Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; and for AP due to E. coli.

Þ Drug administration should begin as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to aerosolized B. anthracis. This indication is based on a surrogate endpoint. Levofloxacin plasma concentrations achieved in humans are reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit [see Clinical Studies (14.9) ].

ß The safety of levofloxacin tablets in adults for durations of therapy beyond 28 days or in pediatric patients for durations beyond 14 days has not been studied. An increased incidence of musculoskeletal adverse events compared to controls has been observed in pediatric patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12), Use in Specific Populations (8.4), and Clinical Studies (14.9)]. Prolonged levofloxacin tablets therapy should only be used when the benefit outweighs the risk.

à Drug administration should begin as soon as possible after suspected or confirmed exposure to Yersinia pestis. Higher doses of levofloxacin tablets typically used for treatment of pneumonia can be used for treatment of plague, if clinically indicated.

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