Document: spc-doc_PL 11204-0224 change

• spc-doc_PL 00289-1167
• spc-doc_PL 11204-0224
• spc-doc_PL 20568-0027
• spc-doc_PL 24598-0024
• spc-doc_PL 36780-0003
• spc-doc_PL 40886-0004
• spc-doc_PL 42357-0192

---

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 1 NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion

2 QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each ml of solution for infusion contains 5 mg of levofloxacin (as levofloxacin hemihydrate).

Each 100 ml of solution for infusion contains 500 mg of levofloxacin (as levofloxacin hemihydrate)

Excipients:

Each ml of solution for infusion contains 0.15 mmol (3.5 mg) sodium (as chloride) 100 ml of solution for infusion contain 15.4 mmol (354.2 mg) sodium (as chloride)

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3 PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Solution for infusion.

a clear greenish-yellow solution free from particles.

the pH of the solution for infusion is approximately 4.8

the osmolality of the solution for infusion is approximately 300 mOsm/kg

4    CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1    Therapeutic indications

In adults for whom intravenous therapy is considered to be appropriate, Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is indicated for the treatment of the following infections when due to levofloxacin-susceptible microorganisms (see sections 4.4 and 5.1):

• Community-acquired pneumonia (when it is considered inappropriate to use antibacterial agents that are commonly recommended for the initial treatment of this infection).

•    Complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis.

•    Chronic bacterial prostatitis.

•    Skin and soft tissue infections.

Before prescribing Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion, consideration should be given to national and/or local guidance on the appropriate use of fluoroquinolones.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is administered by slow intravenous infusion once or twice daily. The dosage depends on the type and severity of the infection and the sensitivity of the presumed causative pathogen. It is usually possible to switch from initial intravenous treatment to the oral route after a few days (Levofloxacin 250 mg or 500 mg tablets), according to the condition of the patient. Given the bioequivalence of the parenteral and oral forms, the same dosage can be used.

Duration of treatment

The duration of therapy varies according to the course of the disease. As with antibiotic therapy in general, administration of Levofloxacin (solution for infusion or tablets) should be continued for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours after the patient has become afebrile or evidence of bacterial eradication has been obtained.

Method of administration

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is only intended for slow intravenous infusion; it is administered once or twice daily. The infusion time must be at least 30 minutes for 250 mg or 60 minutes for 500 mg Levofloxacin solution for infusion (see section 4.4).

For step by step instruction see section 6.6.

For incompatibilities see section 6.2. For compatibility with other infusion solutions see section 6.6.

Dosage in patients with normal renal function (creatinine clearance > 50 ml/min)

Indication	Daily dose regimen (according to severity)	Duration of treatment
Community-acquired pneumonia	500 mg once or twice daily	7 - '4 days
Complicated urinary tract infections including pyelonephritis	250 mg' once daily	7 - '0 days
Chronic bacterial prostatitis.	500 mg once daily	28 days
Skin and soft tissue infections	500 mg twice daily	7 - '4 days

'Consideration should be given to increasing the dose in cases of severe infection.

Dosage in Special populations

Patients with impaired renal function (creatinine clearance - 50 ml/min)

Creatinine clearance	Dose regimen
	250 mg/24 h	500 mg/24 h	500 mg/12 h
	first dose: 250 mg	first dose: 500 mg	first dose: 500 mg
50 - 20 ml/min	then: 125 mg/24 h	then: 250 mg/24 h	then : 250 mg/12 h
19-10 ml/min	then: 125 mg/48 h	then: 125 mg/24 h	then: 125 mg/12 h
< 10 ml/min (including haemodialysis and CAPD) 1	then: 125 mg/48 h	then: 125 mg/24 h	then: 125 mg/24 h

'No additional doses are required after haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Patients with impaired liver function

No adjustment of dosage is required since levofloxacin is not metabolised to any relevant extent by the liver and is mainly excreted by the kidneys.

Elderly patients

No adjustment of dosage is required in the elderly, other than that imposed by consideration of renal function (see section 4.4. “Cardiac disorders”).

Children and adolescents

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is contraindicated in children and growing adolescents (see section 4.3).

4.3 Contraindications

•    hypersensitivity to levofloxacin or to any other quinolone or to any of the excipients .

•    in patients with epilepsy,

•    in patients with history of tendon disorders related to fluoroquinolone administration,

•    in children or growing adolescents,

•    during pregnancy (see section 4.6)

•    in breast-feeding women (see section 4.6)

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

In the most severe cases of pneumococcal pneumonia Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion may not be the optimal therapy.

Nosocomial infections due to P. aeruginosa may require combination therapy. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA):

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus are very likely to possess co-resistance to fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin. Therefore levofloxacin is not recommended for the treatment of known or suspected MRSA infections unless laboratory results have confirmed susceptibility of the organism to levofloxacin (see section 5.1).

Infusion Time

The recommended infusion time of at least 30 minutes for 250 mg or 60 minutes for Levofloxacin 500 mg solution for infusion should be observed. It is known for ofloxacin, that during infusion tachycardia and a temporary decrease in blood pressure may develop. In rare cases, as a consequence of a profound drop in blood pressure, circulatory collapse may occur. Should a conspicuous drop in blood pressure occur during infusion of levofloxacin, (L-isomer of ofloxacin) the infusion must be halted immediately.

Tendinitis and tendon rupture

Tendinitis may rarely occur. It most frequently involves the Achilles tendon and may lead to tendon rupture. The risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is increased in the elderly and in patients using corticosteroids. Close monitoring of these patients is therefore necessary if they are prescribed Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion. All patients should consult their physician if they experience symptoms of tendinitis. If tendinitis is suspected, treatment with Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion must be halted immediately, and appropriate treatment (e.g. immobilisation) must be initiated for the affected tendon.

Clostridium difficile-associated disease

Diarrhoea, particularly if severe, persistent and/or bloody, during or after treatment with Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion, may be symptomatic of Clostridium difficile -associated disease, the most severe form of which is pseudomembranous colitis. If pseudomembranous colitis is suspected, Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion must be stopped immediately and patients should be treated with supportive measures ± specific therapy without delay (e.g. oral vancomycin). Products inhibiting the peristalsis are contraindicated in this clinical situation.

Patients predisposed to seizures

Levofloxacin is contraindicated in patients with a history of epilepsy and, as with other quinolones, should be used with extreme caution in patients predisposed to seizures, such as patients with pre-existing central nervous system lesions, concomitant treatment with fenbufen and similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or with drugs which lower the cerebral seizure threshold, such as theophylline (see section 4.5.). In case of convulsive seizures, treatment with levofloxacin should be discontinued.

Patients with G-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency

Patients with latent or actual defects in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity may be prone to haemolytic reactions when treated with quinolone antibacterial agents, and so levofloxacin should be used with caution.

Patients with renal impairment

Since levofloxacin is excreted mainly by the kidneys, the dose of Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion should be adjusted in patients with renal impairment (see also section 4.2).

Hypersensitivity reactions

Levofloxacin can cause serious, potentially fatal hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. angioedema up to anaphylactic shock), occasionally following the initial dose (see section 4.8). Patients should discontinue treatment immediately and contact their doctor or an emergency doctor, who will initiate appropriate emergency measures.

Hypoglycaemia

As with all quinolones, hypoglycaemia has been reported, usually in diabetic patients receiving concomitant treatment with an oral hypoglycaemic agent (e.g., glibenclamide) or with insulin. In these diabetic patients, careful monitoring of blood glucose is recommended. (See section 4.8).

Prevention of photosensitisation

Although photosensitisation is very rare with levofloxacin, it is recommended that patients should not expose themselves unnecessarily to strong sunlight or to artificial UV rays (e.g. sunray lamp, solarium), in order to prevent photosensitisation.

Patients treated with Vitamin K antagonists

Due to possible increase in coagulation tests (PT/INR) and/or bleeding in patients treated with levofloxacin in combination with a vitamin K antagonist (e.g. warfarin), coagulation tests should be monitored when these drugs are given concomitantly (see also section 4.5).

Psychotic reactions

Psychotic reactions have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including levofloxacin. In very rare cases these have progressed to suicidal thoughts and self-endangering behaviour- sometimes after only a single dose of levofloxacin (see section 4.8). In the event that the patient develops these reactions, levofloxacin should be discontinued and appropriate measures instituted. Caution is recommended if levofloxacin is to be used in psychotic patients or in patients with history of psychiatric disease.

Cardiac disorders

Caution should be taken when using fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, in patients with known risk factors for prolongation of the QT interval such as, for example:

-    congenital long QT syndrome

-    concomitant use of drugs that are known to prolong the QT interval (e.g. Class IA and III antiarrythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics)

-    uncorrected electrolyte imbalance (e.g. hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia)

-    elderly

-    cardiac disease (e.g. heart failure, myocardial infarction, bradycardia)

(See section 4.2 Elderly, section 4.5, section 4.8, section 4.9).

Peripheral neuropathy

Sensory or sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy has been reported in patients receiving fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, which can be rapid in its onset. Levofloxacin should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition.

Opiates

In patients treated with levofloxacin, determination of opiates in urine may give falsepositive results. It may be necessary to confirm positive opiate screens by more specific method.

Hepatobiliary disorders

Cases of hepatic necrosis up to life threatening hepatic failure have been reported with levofloxacin, primarily in patients with severe underlying diseases, e.g. sepsis (see section 4.8). Patients should be advised to stop treatment and contact their doctor if signs and symptoms of hepatic disease develop such as anorexia, jaundice, dark urine, pruritus or tender abdomen.

Excipient warning

This medicinal product contains 7.7 mmol (177.1 mg) sodium per 50 ml and 15.4 mmol (354.2 mg) sodium per 100 ml. To be taken into account in patients on a controlled sodium diet and in cases where fluid restriction is required.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Effect of other medicinal products on Levofloxacin 5mg/ml solution for infusion

Theophylline, fenbufen or similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs No pharmacokinetic interactions of levofloxacin were found with theophylline in a clinical study. However a pronounced lowering of the cerebral seizure threshold may occur when quinolones are given concurrently with theophylline, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or other agents which lower the seizure threshold.

Levofloxacin concentrations were about 13% higher in the presence of fenbufen than when administered alone.

Probenecid and cimetidine

Probenecid and cimetidine had a statistically significant effect on the elimination of levofloxacin. The renal clearance of levofloxacin was reduced by cimetidine (24%) and probenecid (34%). This is because both drugs are capable of blocking the renal tubular secretion of levofloxacin. However, at the tested doses in the study, the statistically significant kinetic differences are unlikely to be of clinical relevance.

Caution should be exercised when levofloxacin is coadministered with drugs that effect the tubular renal secretion such as probenecid and cimetidine, especially in renally impaired patients.

Other relevant information

Clinical pharmacology studies have shown that the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin were not affected to any clinically relevant extent when levofloxacin was administered together with the following drugs: calcium carbonate, digoxin, glibenclamide, ranitidine.

Effect of Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion on other medicinal products

Ciclosporin

The half-life of ciclosporin was increased by 33% when coadministered with levofloxacin.

Vitamin K antagonists

Increased coagulation tests (PT/INR) and/or bleeding, which may be severe, have been reported in patients treated with levofloxacin in combination with a vitamin K antagonist (e.g. warfarin). Coagulation tests, therefore, should be monitored in patients treated with vitamin K antagonists (see section 4.4.)

Drugs known to prolong QT interval

Levofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, should be used with caution in patients receiving drugs known to prolong the QT interval (e.g. Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics) (see section 4.4 “Cardiac disorders”).

4.6 Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Reproductive studies in animals did not raise specific concern. However in the absence of human data and due to the experimental risk of damage by fluoroquinolones to the weight-bearing cartilage of the growing organism, Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion must not be used in pregnant women. (See also section 4.3 and 5.3)

Lactation

In the absence of human data and due to the experimental risk of damage by fluoroquinolones to the weight-bearing cartilage of the growing organism, Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml must not be used in breast-feeding women. (See also section 4.3 and 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Levofloxacin has a minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Some undesirable effects of levofloxacin, such as dizziness/vertigo, drowsiness and visual disturbances (see section 4.8), may impair the patient's ability to concentrate and react and therefore may constitute a risk in situations where these abilities are or special importance (e.g. driving a car or operating machinery).

4.8 Undesirable effects

The information given below is based on data from clinical studies in more than 5000 patients and on extensive post marketing experience.

The adverse reactions are described according to the MedDRA system organ class in the table below.

Frequencies in this table are defined using the following convention: very common (^ 1/10), common (^ 1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (^ 1/1,000 to <1/100), rare ( ^ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Infections and infestations

Uncommon:    Fungal infection (and proliferation of other resistant microorganisms)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Uncommon:    Leukopenia, eosinophilia

Rare:    Thrombocytopenia, neutropenia

Very rare:    Agranulocytosis

Not known:    Pancytopenia, haemolytic anaemia

Immune system disorders

Very rare:    Anaphylactic shock (see section 4.4)

Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions may sometimes occur even after the first dose

Not known:    Hypersensitivity (see section 4.4)

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Uncommon: Anorexia

Very rare: Hypoglycaemia, particularly in diabetic patients (see section 4.4)

disorders

Insomnia, nervousness

Psychotic disorder, depression, confusional state, agitation, anxiety Psychotic reactions with self-endangering behaviour including suicidal ideation or acts (see section 4.4), hallucination

Nervous system disorders

Uncommon:    Dizziness, headache, somnolence

Rare:    Convulsion, tremor, paraesthesia

Very rare:    Sensory or sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, dysgeusia including

ageusia, parosmia including anosmia

Eye disorders

Very rare:    Visual disturbance

Ear and Labyrinth disorders

Uncommon:    Vertigo

Very rare:    Hearing impaired

Not known:    Tinnitus

Cardiac disorders

Rare:    Tachycardia

Not known:    Ventricular arrhythmia and torsades de pointes (reported

predominantly in patients with risk factors for QT prolongation), ECG QT prolonged (see section 4.4 and section 4.9).

Vascular disorders

Common:    Phlebitis

Rare:    Hypotension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Rare:    Bronchospasm, dyspnoea

Very rare:    Pneumonitis allergic

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common:    Diarrhoea, nausea

Uncommon:    Vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia,    flatulence,    constipation

Rare:    Diarrhoea -haemorrhagic which in very rare cases may be indicative

of    enterocolitis, including pseudomembranous colitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Common:    Hepatic enzyme increased (ALT/AST, alkaline phosphatase,    GGT)

Uncommon:    Blood bilirubin increased

Very rare:    Hepatitis

Not known:    Jaundice and severe liver injury, including cases with acute liver

failure, have been reported with levofloxacin, primarily in patients with severe underlying diseases (see section 4.4).

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rash, pruritus Urticaria

Angioneurotic oedema, photosensitivity reaction Toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, hyperhidrosis

Mucocutaneous reactions may sometimes occur even after the first

Musculoskeletal and Connective tissue disorders

Rare:    Tendon disorder (see section 4.4) including tendinitis (e.g. Achilles

tendon), arthralgia, myalgia

Very rare:    Tendon rupture (see section 4.4). This undesirable effect may occur

within 48 hours of starting treatment and may be bilateral, muscular weakness which may be of special importance in patients with myasthenia gravis

Not known:    Rhabdomyolysis

Renal and urinary disorders

Uncommon:    Blood creatinine increased

Very rare:    Renal failure acute (e.g. due to nephritis interstitial)

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common:    Infusion site reaction

Uncommon:    Asthenia

Very rare:    Pyrexia

Not known:    Pain (including pain in back, chest, and extremities)

Other undesirable effects which have been associated with fluoroquinolone administration include:

extrapyramidal symptoms and other disorders of muscular coordination, hypersensitivity vasculitis,

attacks of porphyria in patients with porphyria.

4.9 Overdose

According to toxicity studies in animals or clinical pharmacology studies performed with supra-therapeutic doses, the most important signs to be expected following acute overdosage of levofloxacin are central nervous system symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, impairment of consciousness, and convulsive seizures, increases in QT interval.

In the event of overdose, symptomatic treatment should be implemented. ECG monitoring should be undertaken, because of the possibility of QT interval prolongation.

Haemodialysis, including peritoneal dialysis and CAPD, are not effective in removing levofloxacin from the body. No specific antidote exists.

5 PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: quinolone antibacterials, fluoroquinolones ATC code: J01MA12

Levofloxacin is a synthetic antibacterial agent of the fluoroquinolone class and is the S (-) enantiomer of the racemic drug substance ofloxacin.

Mechanism of action

As a fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, levofloxacin acts on the DNA-DNA-gyrase complex and topoisomerase IV.

The prevalence PK/PD relationship

The degree of the bactericidal activity of levofloxacin depends on the ratio of the maximum concentration in serum (Cmax) or the area under the curve (AUC) and the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC).

Mechanism of resistance

The main mechanism of resistance is due to a gyr-A mutation. In vitro there is a cross-resistance between levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones.

Due to the mechanism of action, there is generally no cross-resistance between levofloxacin and other classes of antibacterial agents.

Breakpoints

The EUCAST recommended MIC breakpoints for levofloxacin, separating susceptible from intermediately susceptible organisms and intermediately susceptible from resistant organisms are presented in the below table for MIC testing (mg/L).

EUCAST clinical MIC breakpoints for levofloxacin (2009-04-07):

Pathogen	Susceptible	Resistant
Enterobacteriacae	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
Pseudomonas spp.	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
Acinetobacter spp.	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
Staphylococcus spp.	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
S.pneumoniae 1	^ 2 mg/L	>2 mg/L
Streptococcus A,B,C,G	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
H.influenzae M.catarrhalis 2	^ 1 mg/L	>1 mg/L
Non-species related breakpoints3	^ 1 mg/L	>2 mg/L
1    the S/I-breakpoint was increased from 1.0 to 2.0 to avoid dividing the wild type MIC distribution. The breakpoints relate to high dose therapy. 2    Strains with MIC values above the S/I breakpoint are very rare or not yet reported. The identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests on any such isolate must be repeated and if the result is confirmed the isolate sent to a reference laboratory. 3    Non-species related breakpoints have been determined mainly on the basis of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data and are independent of MIC distributions of specific species. They are for use only for species that have not been given a species-specific breakpoint and are not for use with species where susceptibility testing is not recommended or for which there is insufficient evidence that the species in question is a good target (Enterococcus, Neisseria, Gram negative anaerobes)

Antibacterial spectrum

The prevalence of resistance may vary geographically and with time for selected species and local information on resistance is desirable, particularly when treating severe infections. As necessary, expert advice should be sought when the local

Species for which acquired resistance may be a problem Aerobic Gram-positive bacteria

Enterococcus faecalis*

Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant+

Staphylococcus haemolyticus methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus coagulase spp Aerobic Gram- negative bacteria Acinetobacter baumannii *

Citrobacter freundii *

Enterobacter aerogenes Enterobacter agglomerans Enterobacter cloacae *

Escherichia coli *

Morganella morganii *

Proteus mirabilis *

Providencia stuartii Pseudomonas aeruginosa*

Serratia marcescens *

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteroides fragilis Bacteroides ovatus$

Bacteroides thetaiotamicron$

Bacteroides vulgatus$

* Clinical efficacy has been demonstrated for susceptible isolates in the approved clinical indications.

$ Natural intermediate susceptibility

+ More than 50% of resistance

Inherently resistant organisms Aerobic Gram-positive bacteria

Enterococcus faecium

Aerobic Gram- negative bacteria

Burkholderia cepacia

Anaerobic bacteria

Bacteroides Clostridium difficile Other information

Nosocomial infections due to P. aeruginosa may require combination therapy.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption

Orally administered levofloxacin is rapidly and almost completely absorbed with peak plasma concentrations being obtained within 1 h. The absolute bioavailability is approximately 100 %.

Food has little effect on the absorption of levofloxacin.

Distribution

Approximately 30 - 40 % of levofloxacin is bound to serum protein. 500 mg once daily multiple dosing with levofloxacin showed negligible accumulation. There is modest but predictable accumulation of levofloxacin after doses of 500 mg twice daily. Steady-state is achieved within 3 days.

Penetration into tissues and body fluids:

Penetration into Bronchial Mucosa, Epithelial Lining Fluid (ELF)

Maximum levofloxacin concentrations in bronchial mucosa and epithelial lining fluid after 500 mg po were 8.3 pg/g and 10.8 pg/ml respectively. These were reached approximately one hour after administration.

Penetration into Lung Tissue

Maximum levofloxacin concentrations in lung tissue after 500 mg po were approximately 11.3 pg/g and were reached between 4 and 6 hours after administration. The concentrations in the lungs consistently exceeded those in plasma.

Penetration into Blister Fluid

Maximum levofloxacin concentrations of about 4.0 and 6.7 pg/ml in the blister fluid were reached 2 - 4 hours after administration following 3 days dosing at 500 mg once or twice daily respectively.

Penetration into Cerebro-Spinal Fluid

Levofloxacin has poor penetration into cerebro-spinal fluid.

Penetration into prostatic tissue

After administration of oral 500 mg levofloxacin once a day for three days, the mean concentrations in prostatic tissue were 8.7 frg/g, 8.2 frg/g and 2.0 frg/g respectively after 2 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours; the mean prostate/plasma concentration ratio was 1.84.

Concentration in urine

The mean urine concentrations 8 -12 hours after a single oral dose of 150 mg, 300 mg or 500 mg levofloxacin were 44 mg/L, 91 mg/L and 200 mg/L, respectively.

Biotransformation

Levofloxacin is metabolised to a very small extent, the metabolites being desmethyl-levofloxacin and levofloxacin N-oxide. These metabolites account for < 5 % of the dose excreted in urine. Levofloxacin is stereochemically stable and does not undergo chiral inversion.

Elimination

Following oral and intravenous administration of levofloxacin, it is eliminated relatively slowly from the plasma (t/ 6 - 8 h). Excretion is primarily by the renal route (> 85 % of the administered dose).

There are no major differences in the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin following intravenous and oral administration, suggesting that the oral and intravenous routes are interchangeable.

Linearity

Levofloxacin obeys linear pharmacokinetics over a range of 50 to 600 mg.

Subjects with renal insufficiency

The pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin are affected by renal impairment. With decreasing renal function renal elimination and clearance are decreased, and elimination half-lives increased as shown in the table below:

Clcr [ml/min]	< 20	20 - 40	50 - 80
ClR [ml/min]	13	26	57
11/2 [h]	35	27	9

Elderly subjects

There are no significant differences in levofloxacin kinetics between young and elderly subjects, except those associated with differences in creatinine clearance.

Gender differences

Separate analysis for male and female subjects showed small to marginal gender differences in levofloxacin pharmacokinetics. There is no evidence that these gender differences are of clinical relevance.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

Acute toxicity

The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) values obtained in mice and rats after intravenous administration of levofloxacin were in the range 250-400 mg/kg; in dogs the LD₅₀ value was approximately 200 mg/kg with one of two animals which received this dose dying.

Repeated dose toxicity

Studies of one month duration with intravenous administration have been carried out in the rat (20, 60, 180 mg/kg/day) and monkey (10, 25, 63 mg/kg/day) and a three-month study has also been carried in the rat (10, 30, 90 mg/kg/day).

The “No Observed Adverse Effect Levels” (NOEL) in the rat studies were concluded to be 20 and 30 mg/kg/day in the one-month and three-month studies respectively. Crystal deposits in urine were seen in both studies at doses of 20 mg/kg/day and above. High doses (180 mg/kg/day for 1 month or 30 mg/kg/day and above for 3 months) slightly decreased food consumption and body weight gain. Haematological examination showed reduced erythrocytes and increased leucocytes and reticulocytes at the end of the 1 month, but not the 3 months study.

The NOEL in the monkey study was concluded to be 63 mg/kg/day with only minor reduction in food and water consumption at this dose.

Reproductive toxicity

Levofloxacin caused no impairment of fertility or reproductive performance in rats at oral doses as high as 360 mg/kg/day or intravenous doses up to 100 mg/kg/day.

Levofloxacin was not teratogenic in rats at oral doses as high as 810 mg/kg/day, or at intravenous doses as high as 160 mg/kg/day. No teratogenicity was observed when rabbits were dosed orally with up to 50 mg/kg/day or intravenously with up to 25 mg/kg/day.

Levofloxacin had no effect on fertility and its only effect on fetuses was delayed maturation as a result of maternal toxicity.

Genotoxicity

Levofloxacin did not induce gene mutations in bacterial or mammalian cells but did induce chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells in vitro at or above 100 gg/ml, in the absence of metabolic activation. In vivo tests (micronucleus, sister chromatid exchange, unscheduled DNA synthesis, dominant lethal tests) did not show any genotoxic potential.

Phototoxic potential

Studies in the mouse after both intravenous and oral dosing showed levofloxacin to have phototoxic activity only at very high doses. Levofloxacin did not show any genotoxic potential in a photomutagenicity assay, and it reduced tumour development in

a photocarcinogenicity assay.

Carcinogenic potential

No indication of carcinogenic potential was seen in a two-year study in the rat with dietary administration (0, 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg/day).

Toxicity in joints

In common with other fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin showed effects on cartilage (blistering and cavities) in rats and dogs. These findings were more marked in young animals.

6 PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium chloride,

Hydrochloric acid (for pH adjustment)

Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)

Water for injection

6.2 Incompatibilities

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion should not be mixed with heparin or alkaline solutions (e.g. sodium hydrogen carbonate).

This medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products except those mentioned in section 6.6.

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf life as packaged for sale: 36 months

Shelf life after removal of the outer packaging: 24 hours (under indoor light conditions)

Shelf-life after further dilution with compatible solutions: Chemical and physical inuse stability has been demonstrated for 8 hours at 25°C.

From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening/dilution precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions prior to use are the responsibility of the user.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Keep the bag in its outer carton in order to protect from light.

For storage conditions of the diluted medicinal product see section 6.3.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

100 ml, low density polyethylene bag containing 100 ml of solution for infusion. Packs of 1, 5 and 20 bags are available.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

Preparation for administration:

1. Inspect the bag before use. It must only be used if the solution is a clear, greenish-yellow solution, practically free from particles.

2. Hold the plastic bag with the connection ports uppermost.

3.    Twist off the protection cap from the connection port.

4.    Insert the piercing pin of the i.v. set into the connection port with a twisting motion.

5. Suspend the bag from the hanger.

See the carton box of the product for diagram.

No protection from light is necessary during infusion.

For single use only. Discard any unused solution.

Mixture with other solutions for infusion:

Levofloxacin 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is compatible with the following solutions for infusion:

sodium chloride 9 mg/ml (0.9%)

glucose 50 mg/ml (5%)

glucose 25 mg/ml (2.5%) in Ringer’s solution

See section 6.2 for incompatibilities.

Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

7 MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Stada Arzneimittel AG Stadastrasse 2-18 Bad Vilbel D-61118 Germany

8    MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

PL 11204/0224

9    DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

26/05/2010

10    DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

13/10/2016