Recently, a number of people have become interested in combining the antibiotic properties of levofloxacin (also known as Loxicom) with the effects of sildenafil (Viagra). In fact, a number of websites have popped up touting the benefits of such a combination.
While potentially beneficial, this drug combination is not recommended, as there is a risk of serious harm.
Here, we’ll discuss the risks of using Loxicom along with Viagra, and provide some alternatives for people who are interested in trying this combo safely.
How Does Loxicom Work?
First off, let’s discuss the mechanism of action of Loxicom. This drug is a fluoroquinolone – which is similar to the antibiotic Cipro – and it inhibits DNA gyrase, one of the key enzymes involved in bacterial DNA synthesis.
Quinolones are known for their efficacy against a number of gram-negative bacteria, including Escherichia coli, which causes urinary tract infections. It also has good activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause ventilator-associated pneumonia and other kinds of pneumonia.
One of the major advantages of Loxicom is that it has a good bioavailability, which means that it gets absorbed well by the body and has a high degree of systemic activity.
This is especially beneficial in patients who are already taking another antibiotic, as it reduces the likelihood of antibiotic resistance developing. In other words, the risk of the bacterial isolates becoming less susceptible to treatment is minimized.
Risks Of Combining Loxicom With Viagra
Now, let’s discuss the risks of combining Loxicom with sildenafil, more commonly known as Viagra. First off, people who take nitrates (eg, nitroglycerin, glyceryl trinitrate, or Isosorbide) should not take Viagra, as the combination of the two can cause a dangerous reaction known as endothelial dysfunction.
The endothelium is a thin lining that covers the inside of all body vessels, including your blood vessels. The endothelium plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your cardiovascular system.
When you have cardiovascular disease or are at risk of developing it, you need to be very careful about combining drugs that have different mechanisms of action. When your doctor prescribes you a new medication, he or she will likely warn you about any interactions that might occur.
What Should You Do Instead?
If you’re interested in trying this new combination, then let’s discuss some safer alternatives. First off, you should consult with your doctor about alternative treatment options for the conditions Levofloxacin is indicated for.
In addition to this drug combination, you could consider using the following alternatives:
- Azithromycin
- Ceftriaxone
- Ciprofloxacin
- Doxycycline
- Fluconazole
- Fulvestrant
- Linezolid
- Naproxen
- Nitrates
- Solifenacin
- Tramadol
Levofloxacin: An Important Safety Information
Finally, let’s make sure that you’re aware of some important safety information regarding this drug. First of all, this drug is not for use in children, as its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is not suitable for use in children. Also, people who take this drug should not drive, as it can cause sedation.
The prescribing information for this drug also includes a warning about the risk of fatal hepatotoxicity (liver damage) in patients with chronic hepatitis, especially those who are also either positive for HLA-B27 or positive for both HLA-B27 and Cw6. (This is a genetic test that detects certain proteins on the surface of immune cells. Cw6+ cells are known as ‘target cells’ for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The presence of HLA-B27 alone doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll develop rheumatoid arthritis, but it increases your risk of getting it. Autoimmune diseases affect about 5-10% of the population.)
The combination of Loxicom and Viagra is a potential risk for some patients. If you’re interested in trying this combination, then be sure to consult with your doctor about alternative treatment options for the conditions it is indicated for. In addition, people who take this drug combination should be aware of the risks of combining nitrates with Viagra (see above). Finally, due to the potential risks associated with this combination, it should not be used in children or those with active liver disease.