posted
I was prescribed Biaxin to add to my Amox and Levaquin but I found out about serious interactions that can affect the heart. Any one have experience with this combo? I only have one more month of Levaquin and will wait but the levaquin doesn't leave quickly so not sure about the Biaxin at all.
Posts: 27 | From SW VA | Registered: Aug 2008
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I am currently on a 5 day coarse of Factive, a med in the same class as Levaquin. My LLMD said to stop Biaxin while on the Factive then restart 1 day after finishing the coarse. He said that they have serious interactions.
Maybe you should check with your doctor to see if he meant for you to stop the Levaquin and start the Biaxin instead of adding the Biaxin? It would be best to clarify his instructions than to have a bad reaction and set back in treatment.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Biaxin (clarithromycin) and levofloxacin (Moderate Drug-Drug) MONITOR: Certain quinolones, including levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, may cause dose-related prolongation of the QT interval in some patients. Coadministration with other agents that can prolong the QT interval may result in elevated risk of ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular tachycardia and torsade de pointes, because of additive arrhythmogenic potential related to their effects on cardiac conduction. During postmarketing surveillance, rare cases of torsade de pointes and ventricular tachycardia have been reported in patients taking levofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin. The levofloxacin cases primarily involved patients with underlying medical conditions or taking concomitant medications that may have been contributory. In general, the risk of an individual agent or a combination of agents causing ventricular arrhythmia in association with QT prolongation is largely unpredictable but may be increased by certain underlying risk factors such as congenital long QT syndrome, cardiac disease, and electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia). In addition, the extent of drug-induced QT prolongation is dependent on the particular drug(s) involved and dosage(s) of the drug(s).
MANAGEMENT: Although the risk of a serious interaction is probably low, caution is recommended when levofloxacin, norfloxacin, or ofloxacin is administered concomitantly with drugs that prolong the QT interval, especially to patients with underlying risk factors. Since the magnitude of QTc prolongation increases with increasing plasma concentrations of the quinolone, recommended dosages and intravenous infusion rates should not be exceeded. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, palpitations, or syncope.
Posts: 275 | From Home | Registered: May 2007
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posted
If levaquin and biaxin are safe together, those are 2 knock out drugs. I am on levaquin now and it has kicked me to the ground and still kickin me while I am down.
Posts: 458 | From Miss | Registered: Mar 2009
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