Urinary System

• The urinary system runs from the kidneys to the urethra and includes the bladder and the ureters. Its job is to remove the waste from the blood and excrete it from the body. The process starts in the kidneys, where blood is forced through a system of tiny blood vessels and filtered of waste products. These waste products are then mixed together to create urine. The ureters are thin tubes that continuously contract and release, drawing urine from the kidneys and depositing small amounts in the bladder every few seconds. The bladder sits in the pelvis, storing all the urine until it is full. When it is full, it sends signals to the brain and the urine is released from the bladder into the urethra. The urethra, a tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body, excretes the urine.
  
  

Urinary Tract Infection

• Your body normally has bacteria living in it and on it. When those bacteria find their way from the areas in which they are supposed to be enter the urethra, it can cause infections. As the bacteria colonize the urethra, they reproduce and spread up the urinary system, reaching the bladder and eventually the kidneys. Your urinary infection can show up as a frequent urge to urinate or a burning sensation when you do. It may also make your urine dark, cloudy or even bloody. In some cases, you feel intense cramping, burning or pain in your lower back and pelvis.
  
  

Levaquin

• Once diagnosed, urinary tract infections are often treated with the prescription antibiotic Levaquin. Levaquin is a brand name of the drug levofloxacin, a fluoride-containing antibiotic. It can be prescribed in the form of oral tablets, oral liquid or intravenous liquid. It is used to treat a variety of infections but it is often used to treat urinary tract infections caused by E. coli, klebsiella pneumonia or proteus mirabilis.
  
  

Possible Side Effects

• Like any drug, Levaquin can cause side effects. It can make you dizzy or disoriented, so you should not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it will affect you. Levaquin can also cause watery or bloody diarrhea. In some cases, you can even develop numbness, burning or pain in your hands and feet. Taken long-term, it can cause sensitivity to sunlight and lead to rashes or severe sunburn. You should always discuss any side effects you may experience with your health-care provider, who can advise you further.
  
  

Warnings

• Before taking Levaquin, you should tell your health-care provider if you have allergies or if you are currently taking any other drugs. This will prevent any allergic reactions or unwanted drug interactions. Levaquin can also increase the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. Dangerously low blood pressure is also a risk for those taking the drug intravenously. You will probably begin to feel better early into the prescription of Levaquin, but remember to take the prescription all the way through. By skipping doses or stopping early, you are putting yourself at risk for recurring urinary tract infections.