What is Levaquin, and what does it treat?
Levaquin is the brand name for levofloxacin, an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone class.[1] It’s used to treat certain bacterial infections, including infections of the lungs (such as pneumonia), urinary tract infections, and other specified bacterial illnesses that require an oral or IV antibiotic.[1]
How does Levaquin work?
Levofloxacin works by killing bacteria. It targets enzymes bacteria need to replicate, which stops the bacteria from growing and spreading.[1]
How is Levaquin taken?
Levaquin can be prescribed as an oral tablet (or related oral formulations) or given by IV in a clinical setting, depending on the infection and the patient’s situation.[1]
Is Levaquin the same as other fluoroquinolones?
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is one fluoroquinolone. Other examples in the same drug class include ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin, which differ in spectrum of activity, dosing, and prescribing considerations.[1]
What side effects do people ask about?
Common side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, headache, and dizziness.[1] Patients also often ask about serious risks associated with fluoroquinolones; these risks can affect how clinicians choose whether Levaquin is appropriate for a particular infection.[1]
When should it be avoided or used with extra caution?
Levofloxacin is prescription-only, and doctors typically consider the patient’s age, kidney function, other medications, and history of adverse reactions before prescribing it.[1] Patients should follow the prescriber’s instructions and review the medication’s warnings and contraindications that come with the specific product.
Sources:
1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/