Lily

Description

Lily Tablet (Levofloxacin 500mg)

Manufactured by: Apple International Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. Retail Price in Damak, Koshi Province, Nepal: NPR 12.00

What is Lily Tablet Used For?

Lily Tablet contains Levofloxacin, a potent antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone class. It’s prescribed to treat various bacterial infections, including:

• Respiratory Infections: Such as community-acquired pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia (nosocomial pneumonia), acute bacterial sinusitis, and acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.
  • Important Note: For acute sinusitis and chronic bronchitis, fluoroquinolones like Lily are generally reserved for situations where other treatment options aren’t suitable.
• Skin & Skin Structure Infections: Both uncomplicated and complicated infections affecting the skin and soft tissues.
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Including uncomplicated UTIs, complicated UTIs, and acute pyelonephritis (a kidney infection).
  • Important Note: For uncomplicated UTIs, this medication is usually reserved for cases where other treatments are not appropriate.
• Prostate Infections: Specifically, chronic bacterial prostatitis.
• Anthrax: Used for post-exposure therapy (after potential exposure).
• Plague: Indicated for the treatment and prevention of plague caused by Yersinia pestis (in adults and children aged 6 months or older).

Also Available As: 750mg Tablet.

How to Take Lily Tablet

Adult Dosing:

• Doses can vary significantly based on the type and severity of the infection. For example, for Community-Acquired Pneumonia, it’s typically 500 mg by mouth or IV once daily for 7-14 days, or a higher dose of 750 mg by mouth or IV once daily for 5 days. Your doctor will determine the correct dose and duration for your specific condition.

Child Dosing (for specific severe infections like anthrax/plague and certain respiratory infections):

• Doses for children are typically weight-based. For instance, for post-exposure anthrax prophylaxis, it’s often 16 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours (for children up to 50 kg body weight). For respiratory infections, specific mg/kg doses apply depending on age.

Important Administration Notes:

• Tablets: You can take Lily Tablet with or without food.
• Oral Solution: If you have the oral solution form, it should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
• Always ensure you have adequate fluid intake while taking this medication.
• IV Administration: If administered intravenously, it must be given by slow infusion only (typically over 60 to 90 minutes) to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure. It should never be given as a rapid bolus injection.
• Kidney Impairment: If you have kidney problems, your doctor will adjust your dosage accordingly.

Important Considerations & Warnings

• Do Not Use If: You have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to levofloxacin or other quinolone antibiotics, or if you are a child under 18 years old (unless specifically prescribed for certain severe infections like anthrax or plague).
• Special Precautions:
  • Use with caution if you have pre-existing CNS disorders (like epilepsy or severe cerebral arteriosclerosis) or other risk factors for seizures.
  • Avoid unnecessary exposure to direct sunlight or artificial UV light as this medication can increase your skin’s sensitivity to light (photosensitivity).
  • Use cautiously if you have a history of prolonged QT interval (a type of heart rhythm abnormality) or uncorrected electrolyte imbalances.
  • If you have diabetes, your doctor will carefully monitor your blood glucose levels.
  • Your doctor may periodically monitor your kidney, liver, and blood cell functions during treatment.
  • Not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, as the drug is excreted in breast milk.
  • Use with caution in elderly patients.
  • This medication may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery.
  • Tendon Problems: Fluoroquinolones carry a serious risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture, which can occur even months after treatment. If you experience any tendon pain or swelling, stop taking the medication and contact your doctor immediately.
• Drug Interactions:
  • Taking Lily with certain heart rhythm medications (e.g., quinidine, amiodarone) or some antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, imipramine) can increase the risk of a prolonged QT interval.
  • Its absorption can be reduced by sucralfate, didanosine, antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, and dietary supplements containing zinc, calcium, magnesium, or iron. Take Lily at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after these products.
  • Can alter blood glucose levels when taken with antidiabetic agents (e.g., insulin, glibenclamide).
  • Increased risk of severe tendon disorders when used with corticosteroids.
  • Increased risk of CNS stimulation and seizures when used with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
  • May increase bleeding time if you are taking warfarin (a blood thinner).

Possible Side Effects

Side effects of Levofloxacin can range from common to potentially life-threatening:

Common (1-10% of patients):

• Nausea, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, constipation, dizziness, indigestion (dyspepsia), rash, vomiting.
• Less common (around 1%): Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling (edema), fatigue, injection-site reactions (for IV use), yeast infections (moniliasis), pain, itching (pruritus), vaginal inflammation (vaginitis).

Less Common (less than 1%) but Potentially Serious:

• Cardiac issues: Cardiac arrest, palpitations, ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmia.
• Nervous system problems: Tremor, convulsions (seizures), tingling/numbness (paresthesia), vertigo, muscle stiffness (hypertonia), involuntary movements (hyperkinesias), abnormal gait, drowsiness (somnolence), fainting (syncope).
• Metabolic changes: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), high potassium (hyperkalemia).
• Blood/Lymphatic system issues: Anemia, low platelets (thrombocytopenia), low white blood cells (granulocytopenia).
• Musculoskeletal issues: Joint pain (arthralgia), tendonitis, muscle pain (myalgia), skeletal pain.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) problems: Gastritis, mouth inflammation (stomatitis), pancreatitis, esophagitis, gastroenteritis, tongue inflammation (glossitis), severe bowel inflammation (Clostridium difficile-associated colitis).
• Liver/Biliary problems: Abnormal liver function, increased liver enzymes, increased alkaline phosphatase.
• Psychiatric effects: Anxiety, agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations, nightmares, sleep disorders, loss of appetite (anorexia), abnormal dreaming.
• Other: Immune hypersensitivity reactions, acute kidney failure, hives (urticaria), vein inflammation (phlebitis), nosebleeds (epistaxis).

Potentially Fatal:

• Anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction).

How Lily Works (Mechanism of Action)

Levofloxacin, the active ingredient in Lily, works by inhibiting bacterial topoisomerase IV and DNA gyrase. These are critical enzymes that bacteria need for essential processes like DNA replication, transcription (copying DNA to RNA), repair, and recombination. By blocking these enzymes, Lily effectively prevents bacteria from growing and multiplying. It is active against a wide range of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms.

Disclaimer: This information about Lily 500mg Tablet is for general knowledge only and is not intended as medical advice or treatment. It should not be used as a substitute for the professional judgment of a qualified healthcare provider. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist for any health concerns or before taking any medication.