Levaquin vs. Bactrim

• Are Levaquin and Bactrim the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Levaquin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Bactrim?
• What is Levaquin?
• What is Bactrim?
• What Drugs Interact with Levaquin?
• What Drugs Interact with Bactrim?
• How Should Levaquin Be Taken?
• How Should Bactrim Be Taken?

Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) are antibiotics used to treat several types of bacterial infections.

Levaquin and Bactrim belong to different drug classes. Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and Bactrim is a combination of a sulfonamide antibiotic (a "sulfa" drug) and a folic acid inhibitor.

Common side effects of Levaquin include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• constipation,
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia),
• dizziness,
• abdominal pain,
• rash,
• abdominal gas,
• itching, and
• vaginal itching or discharge.

Levaquin has been associated with tendinitis and tendon rupture. Levaquin can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and cause pseudomembranous colitis. Patients taking Levaquin can develop photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight) and patients may sunburn more easily.

Common side effects of Bactrim include:

• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• painful or swollen tongue,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• ringing in your ears,
• tiredness, or
• sleep problems (insomnia).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Bactrim including:

• bruising or bleeding,
• aplastic anemia,
• jaundice,
• hepatic necrosis,
• mouth sores,
• joint aches,
• severe skin rashes,
• itching, and
• sore throat.

Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine used in adults age 18 years or older to treat certain infections caused by certain germs called bacteria. These bacterial infections include:

• nosocomial pneumonia
• community-acquired pneumonia
• acute sinus infection
• acute worsening of chronic bronchitis
• skin infections, complicated and uncomplicated
• chronic prostate infection
• urinary tract infections, complicated and uncomplicated
• acute kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• inhalational anthrax
• plague

Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) DS is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, acute otitis media, bronchitis, Shigellosis, Pneumocystis pneumonia, traveler's diarrhea, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and other bacterial infections susceptible to this antibiotic.

Levaquin may interact with blood thinners, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or narcotics.

Levaquin may also interact with antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, didanosine, vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc, insulin or oral diabetes medications, or theophylline.

Bactrim may interact with antidepressants, blood thinners, or oral diabetes medications.

Bactrim may also interact with cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics (water pills), indomethacin, leucovorin, calcium folinate, methotrexate, heart or blood pressure medications or seizure medications.

• Take Levaquin exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• Take Levaquin at about the same time each day.
• Drink plenty of fluids while you take Levaquin.
• Take Levaquin Oral Solution 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
• If you miss a dose of Levaquin, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 dose in 1 day.
• Do not skip any doses of Levaquin or stop taking it, even if you begin to feel better, until you finish your prescribed treatment unless:
  • you have tendon problems. See “What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?”.
  • you have a serious allergic reaction. See “What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?”.
  • your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking Levaquin
    Taking all of your Levaquin doses will help make sure that all of the bacteria are killed. Taking all of your Levaquin doses will help you lower the chance that the bacteria will become resistant to Levaquin. If your infection does not get better while you take Levaquin, it may mean that the bacteria causing your infection may be resistant to Levaquin. If your infection does not get better, call your healthcare provider. If your infection does not get better, Levaquin and other similar antibiotic medicines may not work for you in the future.
• If you take too much Levaquin, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

Bactrim is available in tablets in two strengths; 400 mg sulfamethoxazole and 80 mg trimethoprim and the "DS" form which means double strength, 800 mg sulfamethoxazole and 160 mg trimethoprim. Patients should follow their doctor's instructions and take all of the Bactrim prescribed. Patients allergic to sulfa compounds should not take Bactrim.