This article describes levofloxacin oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for levofloxacin. If you want to know more about levofloxacin oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Levofloxacin oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Levofloxacin also comes in injection, oral solution, and eye drop forms, but those aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The risks are:
- serious tendon problems and nerve damage
- central nervous system problems
- worsening myasthenia gravis in people with this condition
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
Form and strengths of levofloxacin
Levofloxacin oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 250 milligrams (mg), 500 mg, 750 mg
Dosage of levofloxacin
This article describes the recommended dosages for levofloxacin oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of levofloxacin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of levofloxacin in adults
Doctors prescribe levofloxacin oral tablet for certain infections caused by bacteria. These include to:
- treat certain types of pneumonia
- treat skin infections
- treat chronic prostatitis
- prevent inhalation anthrax after possible exposure to the bacteria
- treat plague
- treat urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- treat kidney infections
- treat chronic bronchitis flare-ups
- treat sinus infections
Dosage for certain infections from bacteria, including urinary tract infection (UTI) and pneumonia
The table below outlines the recommended dosages of levofloxacin for its approved uses. The dosages are in milligrams (mg). Some dosages depend on body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Condition | Recommended dosage |
| pneumonia developed during a hospital stay | 750 mg once every 24 hours for 7–14 days |
| pneumonia developed outside of a hospital stay | • 500 mg once every 24 hours for 7–14 days, or • 750 mg once every 24 hours for 5 days |
| skin infection | 500–750 mg once every 24 hours for 7–14 days |
| chronic prostatitis | 500 mg once every 24 hours for 28 days |
| inhalation anthrax | adults who weigh 50 kg (110 lb) or more:* 500 mg once every 24 hours for 28–60 days |
| plague | adults who weigh 50 kg (110 lb) or more:* 500 mg once every 24 hours for 10–14 days |
| complicated UTI or kidney infection | • 750 mg once every 24 hours for 5 days, or • 250 mg once every 24 hours for 10 days |
| uncomplicated UTI | 250 mg once every 24 hours for 3 days |
| chronic bronchitis flare-up | 500 mg once every 24 hours for 7 days |
| sinus infection | • 750 mg once every 24 hours for 5 days, or • 500 mg once every 24 hours for 10–14 days |
* For adults with this condition who weigh less than 50 kg (110 lb), doctors might prescribe a children’s dosage. See the “Dosages of levofloxacin in children” section below.
Dosages of levofloxacin in children
Doctors prescribe levofloxacin oral tablet to treat plague in certain children. They also prescribe it to prevent inhalation anthrax after possible exposure to the bacteria in certain children. For both conditions, children must be ages 6 months or older and weigh at least 30 kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of levofloxacin oral tablet for its approved uses in children. The dosages are in milligrams (mg) and are based on weight. Your child’s doctor will determine the right dosage for your child.
| Condition | Body weight | Approximate body weight in lb | Recommended dosage | Length of treatment |
| plague or inhalation anthrax | 30 kg to less than 50 kg | 66 lb to less than 110 lb | 250 mg once every 12 hours | • plague: 10–14 days • inhalation anthrax: 14–60 days |
| plague or inhalation anthrax | 50 kg or greater | 110 lb or greater | 500 mg once every 24 hours | • plague: 10–14 days • inhalation anthrax: 14–60 days |
Dosage adjustments for levofloxacin
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of levofloxacin oral tablet based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
Missed dose of levofloxacin
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of levofloxacin oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of levofloxacin oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about levofloxacin oral tablet and its dosage.
Can levofloxacin be taken for cough? If so, what’s the dosage?
Levofloxacin is approved to treat only certain infections caused by bacteria. It’s not approved to treat cough caused by a cold or the flu. Colds and the flu are infections caused by viruses.
Still, levofloxacin is approved for some conditions that cause cough. Examples include pneumonia, plague, and inhalation anthrax. See the “Dosage of levofloxacin” section above for dosages to treat these conditions.
If you have questions about treatment options for your cough, talk with your doctor.
Is levofloxacin taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe levofloxacin oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.
If you have questions about how long you should take levofloxacin oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
How levofloxacin is taken
You’ll swallow levofloxacin oral tablet once every 12 or 24 hours, depending on what your doctor prescribes. You can take it with or without food.
Check whether any medications or supplements you take contain magnesium, aluminum, iron, or zinc. If any do, take levofloxacin oral tablet at least 2 hours before or after these medications or supplements. Taking these products at the same time as levofloxacin (or close to it) could make levofloxacin less effective.
Your doctor may advise you to take levofloxacin oral tablet around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body and can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether it’s safe to crush, split, or chew levofloxacin oral tablet. You can also view this article for suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of levofloxacin
It’s important that you do not take more levofloxacin oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much levofloxacin
If you think you’ve taken too much levofloxacin, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for levofloxacin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of levofloxacin oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take levofloxacin oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will I need to take levofloxacin oral tablet?
- Will you be changing my dosage of levofloxacin if I take other drugs with it?
- What should I do if I’m still having symptoms of an infection after I finish my levofloxacin treatment?
Boxed warnings for levofloxacin
This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Risk of serious tendon problems and nerve damage. Levofloxacin can increase your risk of tendon problems, such as swelling and tearing. It can also increase your risk of nerve damage. Tendon problems can occur within hours or days of starting levofloxacin. Or they can occur several months after you finish treatment. Nerve damage may occur soon after starting levofloxacin, and the effects may be permanent.
Due to this risk, you should not take levofloxacin if you have a history of tendon problems or nerve damage. Watch for signs and symptoms of these side effects while taking levofloxacin. If you develop any, stop taking the medication and call your doctor. Signs and symptoms can include:
- pain, swelling, or inflammation* in your tendons
- pain, burning, tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms, legs, hands, or feet
* Some examples of inflammation are redness or discoloration and feeling of warmth.
Risk of central nervous system (CNS) problems. Levofloxacin can cause serious side effects that involve your CNS. (Your CNS includes your brain and spinal cord.) These can cause symptoms such as seizures, dizziness, and memory problems.
Due to this risk, you should not do certain things until you know how levofloxacin affects you. This includes driving or anything that requires concentration.
If you develop a persistent headache with or without blurred vision, call your doctor.
Risk of worsening myasthenia gravis in people with this condition. Levofloxacin can worsen muscle weakness if you have a condition called myasthenia gravis. This can cause serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing.
Be sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor before you start levofloxacin treatment.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these boxed warnings.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.