Levofloxacin
Also sold as: Tavanic, Levaquin
Prescription neededQuinolones
Comes as:TabletDrip (infusion)
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose: 250 to 750 mg once a day, usually for 5 to 14 days depending on the infection. Do not take at the same time as antacids, iron or zinc — leave at least 2 hours. Finish the full course.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- headache
- dizziness
- trouble sleeping
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- tendon pain or swelling (especially the heel)
- numbness or tingling of hands or feet
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- seizures
- severe allergic reaction
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Children and teenagers who are still growing (unless a doctor decides it is needed)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Previous tendon problems with this type of antibiotic
- Epilepsy (use with caution)
- Heart rhythm problems (long QT)
- Myasthenia gravis
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious1 medicineDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amiodarone
Both prolong the QT interval and can cause dangerous heart rhythms.
Moderate3 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Aluminium hydroxide + Magnesium hydroxide
Antacids block absorption; leave at least 2 hours between them.
- Prednisolone
Steroids raise the risk of tendon damage and rupture with fluoroquinolones.
- Warfarin
Can raise the effect of warfarin; INR should be checked.