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Levofloxacin

Generic name: levofloxacin (oral) [ LEE-voe-FLOX-a-sin ]
Brand name: Levaquin
Dosage forms: oral solution, oral tablet
Drug class: Quinolones and fluoroquinolones

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 4, 2023.

What is levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is an antibiotic that that may be used to treat different types of bacterial infections. Levofloxacin may also be used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax or certain types of plague.

Levofloxacin is usually only used for bacterial infections that cannot be treated with safer antibiotics. This is because levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone (flor-o-KWIN-o-lone) antibiotic and fluoroquinolone antibiotics can cause serious or disabling side effects.

Levofloxacin was FDA approved in 1996.

Warnings

Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, nerve damage, serious mood or behavior changes, or low blood sugar.

Stop using levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as: headache, hunger, irritability, numbness, tingling, burning pain, confusion, agitation, paranoia, problems with memory or concentration, thoughts of suicide, or sudden pain or movement problems in any of your joints.

In rare cases, levofloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, which could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use levofloxacin if you are allergic to it or other fluoroquinolones (such as ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, and others).

Levofloxacin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking levofloxacin. Tendon problems may be more likely in certain people (children and older adults, or people who use steroid medicine or have had an organ transplant).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

It is not known whether levofloxacin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intending to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using levofloxacin.

How should I take levofloxacin?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets about levofloxacin.

Take levofloxacin with water, at the same time each day. Drink extra fluids to keep your kidneys working properly while taking levofloxacin.

You may take levofloxacin tablets with or without food.

Take levofloxacin oral solution (liquid) on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Use levofloxacin for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Levofloxacin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.

Do not share levofloxacin with another person.

Levofloxacin may affect a drug-screening urine test and you may have false results. Tell the laboratory staff that you are taking it.

Store levofloxacin at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take levofloxacin as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking levofloxacin?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how levofloxacin will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Levofloxacin could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Tell your doctor if you have severe burning, redness, itching, rash, or swelling after being in the sun.

Levofloxacin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to levofloxacin (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects, including tendon problems, side effects on your nerves (which may cause permanent nerve damage), serious mood or behavior changes (after just one dose), or low blood sugar (which can lead to coma).

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

In rare cases, levofloxacin may cause damage to your aorta, the main blood artery of the body. This could lead to dangerous bleeding or death. Get emergency medical help if you have severe and constant pain in your chest, stomach, or back.

Stop taking levofloxacin and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common side effects of levofloxacin may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect levofloxacin?

Some medicines can make levofloxacin much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your levofloxacin dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take the other medicine.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect levofloxacin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.