Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved levofloxacin oral tablet to treat certain bacterial infections in adults. Examples include:
It’s also used to treat plague and exposure to anthrax in children ages 6 months and older.
This article describes possible side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for levofloxacin.
Levofloxacin oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Levofloxacin also comes in other forms, including a solution for injection, an eye drop, and a solution that you swallow. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about levofloxacin oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more.
Boxed warnings
Levofloxacin has boxed warnings about the risk of:
Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the FDA.
For details, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
More common side effects of levofloxacin
Levofloxacin oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet include:
Mild side effects of levofloxacin
Levofloxacin may cause certain mild side effects. Most often, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
Levofloxacin oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of levofloxacin
Levofloxacin may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from levofloxacin oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with levofloxacin oral tablet.
Serious side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* Levofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
† For more details about this side effect, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
Side effects of levofloxacin in children
Levofloxacin may be prescribed to children ages 6 months and older to:
In children, side effects of levofloxacin are expected to be similar to those in adults. But in studies, certain side effects were more common in children than those in adults. These include:
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have additional questions or concerns about side effects of levofloxacin in your child.
*Levofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for serious tendon problems. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of levofloxacin
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can levofloxacin cause certain side effects in older adults?
No, levofloxacin isn’t expected to cause certain side effects in older adults (ages 65 years and older).
However, older adults have an increased risk of certain serious side effects from levofloxacin treatment. These include:
If you’re an older adult and want to learn more about your risk of side effects from taking levofloxacin, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Levofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
Will levofloxacin 500 mg cause different side effects than the other strengths of the drug?
No, different strengths of levofloxacin are not expected to cause different side effects.
In general, taking a higher dose of a medication may increase your risk of having side effects. But for most drugs, it won’t usually cause different side effects.
If you have questions about your levofloxacin dosage and your risk of side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of levofloxacin last?
It depends. In most cases, mild side effects of levofloxacin are temporary. And they can be easily treated by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
It’s also important to keep in mind that levofloxacin is usually used as a short-term treatment to treat a bacterial infection. The drug’s mild side effects will likely go away after you finish your treatment.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that become bothersome or don’t go away.
Note: Levofloxacin may also cause serious long-term side effects. For more details, see “Does levofloxacin cause long-term side effects?” below.
If I take levofloxacin, will I experience kidney-related side effects?
It’s not likely, but possible. Kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure, have rarely been reported with fluoroquinolone antibiotics. This includes levofloxacin.
Symptoms of sudden kidney failure include:
- fluid buildup and swelling
- feeling confused or other mood changes
- moving slowly or sluggishly
- fatigue (low energy)
- decreased sensation in your hands or feet
- nausea and vomiting
Your risk of kidney-related side effects is higher if you take levofloxacin and have an existing kidney problem, such as chronic (long-term) kidney disease.
Let your doctor know right away if you think you’re experiencing kidney problems as a side effect from taking levofloxacin. They can recommend the best way to treat your symptoms. And they’ll likely have you stop taking levofloxacin.
Does levofloxacin cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible. Long-term side effects have been reported with levofloxacin treatment. These include:
These side effects could occur right after starting levofloxacin treatment but may continue for a long time, even after stopping treatment.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about levofloxacin and its long-term side effects.
* Levofloxacin oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section below.
† This is a serious side effect of levofloxacin oral tablet. For information about serious side effects, see the “Serious side effects of levofloxacin” section above.
Coupon for levofloxacin
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Side effects of levofloxacin in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet.
Boxed warnings
Similar to other fluoroquinolone antibiotic drugs, levofloxacin has several boxed warnings. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Side effects described in these warnings were rare in levofloxacin’s studies. But if they occur, they may cause disability and may not go away. These side effects may occur within hours after starting levofloxacin. They can also happen even if you’ve been safely taking the drug for many weeks.
If you have questions about these boxed warnings, be sure to talk with your doctor.
Serious tendon problems
Taking levofloxacin may increase the risk of tendon rupture (damage) or inflammation (swelling). (Tendons are tissues that connect your muscles to your bones.)
With tendon rupture, you may feel or hear a snap or pop around your tendon. You may be unable to move the affected body part and may have bruising. Symptoms of tendon inflammation can include pain and tenderness. This may make it hard to move the affected area.
Symptoms usually occur in the Achilles tendon (tendon that connects your back leg muscles). But they can also occur in your shoulder, upper arm, hand, or thumb. Tendon problems may affect one or both sides of your body.
In some cases, tendon problems caused by levofloxacin treatment can be permanent.
However, certain factors increase the risk of tendon rupture or inflammation, including:
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of a tendon rupture, seek medical help immediately by going to the closest urgent care center or emergency room. Or call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you notice any tendon pain or swelling, you should stop taking levofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately. You should also avoid exercising or using the affected body part until your doctor advises you can do so. Your doctor can recommend how to best handle your symptoms. They can also advise how to treat your infection using a treatment other than levofloxacin.
Nerve damage
Taking levofloxacin can cause nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. Nerve damage caused by levofloxacin may affect your arms, hands, legs, or feet. And it may affect more than one body area.
Symptoms of nerve damage include:
- pain, burning, or tingling
- weakness
- changes to your sense of touch, which can affect how you notice temperature, pain, and other sensations
In rare cases, nerve damage caused by the drug may be irreversible.
Ways to manage
If you notice symptoms of nerve damage, you should stop taking levofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor can provide advice on how to best manage your symptoms. They can also recommend other treatments for your infection.
Central nervous system problems
Levofloxacin is known to cause certain central nervous system (CNS) problems. Your CNS consists of your brain and spinal cord. It communicates with your entire body to carry out functions such as walking, talking, thinking, communicating, and interacting with your environment.
CNS effects from levofloxacin treatment may include:
CNS effects caused by the drug may be permanent in some cases.
Certain factors may further increase your risk of CNS effects, including:
- having an existing mental health condition, such as depression
- having kidney problems
- having epilepsy or already experiencing seizures
- taking other drugs that increase your risk of seizures, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin XL)
Ways to manage
If you notice any of the above changes in your mood or behavior, you should stop taking levofloxacin and contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor can provide advice on how to best manage your symptoms. They can also discuss how to treat your infection using a treatment other than levofloxacin.
Worsening of myasthenia gravis
Taking levofloxacin can worsen myasthenia gravis (MG) if you already have this condition. With MG, you have weakening of your skeletal muscles.
Specifically, the following have been reported in people with MG who took levofloxacin after it became available for use:
- worsened muscle weakness
- trouble breathing or needing a ventilator to breathe
- death
Ways to manage
Due to this risk, doctors usually won’t prescribe levofloxacin to people with MG. Talk with your doctor to learn more about antibiotics that are safer for you to take instead.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Allergic reaction
For some people, levofloxacin oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect was rarely reported in studies. But allergic reactions can still happen. They’re even possible after the first dose of levofloxacin.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Severe and life threatening allergic skin reactions have also been reported in people taking levofloxacin. These reactions include Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to levofloxacin oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for levofloxacin
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking levofloxacin oral tablet.
Boxed warnings
Levofloxacin has boxed warnings about the risk of:
Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section above.
Other warnings
It may not be safe for you to take levofloxacin oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether levofloxacin oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking levofloxacin oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below.
Aortic aneurysm. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as levofloxacin, have been associated with aortic aneurysm (swelling in your aorta). However, it’s not known for sure if the drug causes this. Even so, the drug may worsen this condition or cause a tear in your aorta if you already have aortic aneurysm. If this applies to you, your doctor will avoid prescribing levofloxacin unless there’s no other treatment for your infection.
Diabetes. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have diabetes before you start taking levofloxacin. The drug can cause high or low blood sugar and may make it harder to manage your condition. Since levofloxacin is usually taken short term, your doctor may not adjust your diabetes medications. Instead, they may have you check your blood sugar more often.
Irregular heartbeat. Levofloxacin can affect your heart rhythm and cause an irregular heartbeat. This includes long QT syndrome. If you have an existing irregular heartbeat or already have long QT syndrome, taking levofloxacin may worsen your condition.
Low blood potassium. Having low blood potassium raises your risk of irregular heartbeat and long QT syndrome. These are rare but serious side effects of levofloxacin. Your doctor will likely want to treat your low potassium level before prescribing levofloxacin. They may also decide to prescribe a different antibiotic for your infection instead.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to levofloxacin oral tablet or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe this medication. Ask them about other treatment options that may be better for you.
Levofloxacin and pregnancy
It isn’t fully known if it’s safe to take levofloxacin oral tablet during pregnancy. There’s conflicting information about whether fluoroquinolone antibiotic drugs are safe to use during pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about safe treatment options for your bacterial infection.
Levofloxacin and breastfeeding
Levofloxacin is known to pass into breast milk. So it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Due to this risk, your doctor will recommend avoiding breastfeeding while taking levofloxacin. And they’ll recommend this for at least two days after your last dose.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking levofloxacin while breastfeeding.
Levofloxacin and alcohol
Levofloxacin oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Combining levofloxacin and alcohol can increase your risk of central nervous system (CNS) problems. This is because alcohol is a CNS depressant and levofloxacin is known to cause CNS-related side effects. In fact, levofloxacin has a boxed warning about this side effect. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of levofloxacin in detail” section above.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with levofloxacin oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of levofloxacin oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history increase my risk of side effects from levofloxacin treatment?
- Do I need to avoid exercise while I’m taking levofloxacin?
- How do the side effects of levofloxacin compare with other treatments for my infection?
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.
