What is Levofloxacin: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Levofloxacin overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Levaquin, Levaquin Leva-pak

Generic Names:

  • Levofloxacin

Uses:

  • Treats infections and plague (including pneumonic and septicemic plague). It is also given to people who have been exposed to anthrax. This medicine is a quinolone antibiotic.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antibiotic

Forms:

  • Liquid, Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What form(s) does Levofloxacin come in

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

What are common Levofloxacin doses?

  • Tablet 250MG

  • Tablet 500MG

  • Tablet 750MG

  • Bottle 5ML of 0.5%

  • Bottle 100ML of 25MG/ML

  • Bottle 200ML of 25MG/ML

  • Bottle 480ML of 25MG/ML

  • Vial 20ML of 25MG/ML

  • Vial 30ML of 25MG/ML

Common Levofloxacin prescriptions

  • levoFLOXacin
    100ml of 25mg/ml bottle

  • levoFLOXacin
    200ml of 25mg/ml bottle

  • levoFLOXacin
    480ml of 25mg/ml bottle

  • levoFLOXacin
    5ml of 0.5% bottle

  • levoFLOXacin
    5ml of 1.5% bottle

  • levoFLOXacin
    250mg tablet

  • levoFLOXacin
    500mg tablet

  • levoFLOXacin
    750mg tablet

  • levoFLOXacin
    20ml of 25mg/ml vial

  • levoFLOXacin
    30ml of 25mg/ml vial

How to take Levofloxacin

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

  • Oral liquid: Take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Tablet: Take it with or without food.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Tablet: Take it with or without food.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Take your medicine at the same time each day.

  • Take all of the medicine in your prescription to clear up your infection, even if you feel better after the first few doses.

  • Oral liquid: Take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after you eat. Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

Levofloxacin contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to levofloxacin or to similar medicines.

Levofloxacin warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, myasthenia gravis, brain problems, aortic aneurysm (bulge in the wall of the largest artery), or a history of heart rhythm problems (including QT prolongation), seizures, or mental illness. Tell your doctor if you have ever had tendon or joint problems, including rheumatoid arthritis, or if you have received a transplant.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Tendinitis and tendon rupture (may happen after treatment ends)Nerve damage in the arms or legs, which may be permanentChanges in mood or behavior, seizures, or increased pressure in the headSerious skin reactionsKidney problemsLiver problemsIncreased risk of aortic aneurysmHeart rhythm changesChanges in blood sugar levels

  • This medicine may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Levofloxacin interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how levofloxacin works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:TheophyllineBlood thinner (including warfarin)Insulin or oral diabetes medicine (including glyburide, insulin)Medicine for heart rhythm problems (including amiodarone, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)Medicine to treat depression or mental illnessNSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)Steroid medicine (including hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone)

  • Take levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after didanosine buffered tablets for oral suspension or the pediatric powder for oral suspension, sucralfate, or antacids, multivitamins, or other products containing aluminum, magnesium, iron, or zinc.

  • This medicine may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.

  • This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Levofloxacin side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Pain, stiffness, swelling, or bruises around your ankle, leg, shoulder, or other joint

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Sudden chest, stomach, or back pain, trouble breathing, cough

  • Fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness

  • Change in how much or how often you urinate, cloudy or bloody urine

  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat, chest pain

  • Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

  • Seizures, severe headache, unusual thoughts or behaviors, trouble sleeping, feeling anxious, confused, or depressed, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, redness or other discoloration of the skin, severe sunburn

  • Diarrhea that may contain blood

  • Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Mild headache or nausea