Zosyn vs. Levaquin

Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam for injection) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are antibiotics used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria.

Zosyn and Levaquin are different types of antibiotics. Zosyn is a combination a penicillin antibiotic and a beta-lactamase inhibitor and Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone.

Side effects of Zosyn and Levaquin that are similar include dizziness, trouble sleeping (insomnia), nausea, vomiting, abdominal/stomach pain or upset, diarrhea, constipation, headache, skin rash or itching, and vaginal discharge or itching.

Side effects of Zosyn that are different from Levaquin include injection site reactions (swelling, redness, pain, soreness, and irritation), agitation, runny nose, and anxiety.

Side effects of Levaquin that are different from Zosyn include abdominal gas. Levaquin has also been associated with tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Both Zosyn and may interact with other antibiotics, and blood thinners.

Zosyn may also interact with probenecid or any other medication used to prevent blood clots.

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, theophylline, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids.

Common side effects of Zosyn include:

• swelling,
• redness,
• pain,
• soreness or
• irritation;
• dizziness,
• agitation,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain or upset,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• headache,
• runny nose,
• anxiety,
• skin rash or
• itching, or
• vaginal discharge or itching.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Zosyn including muscle cramps or spasms, swelling of the arms/legs/hands/feet, easy bruising or bleeding, chest pain, confusion, new signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat), severe abdominal or stomach pain, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, persistent nausea or vomiting, seizures, extreme tiredness, dark or cloudy urine, change in the amount of urine, yellowing eyes or skin, or serious skin reactions (rash, peeling, sores, or blisters).

Levaquin may cause serious side effects, including:

• 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.

Zosyn (piperacillin and tazobactam for injection) is a combination of two antibiotics used to treat many different infections caused by bacteria, such as urinary tract infections, bone and joint infections, severe vaginal infections, stomach infections, skin infections, and pneumonia. Zosyn is available in generic form.

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

Zosyn may interact with probenecid, antibiotics, blood thinners, or any other medication used to prevent blood clots. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

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.

The usual total daily dose of Zosyn for adults is 3.375 g every six hours totaling 13.5 g (12.0 g piperacillin/1.5 g tazobactam).

• 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.