Levofloxacin — Uses, Safety, and Practical Tips
Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic you might see prescribed for lung, urinary, or skin infections. It works well against a range of bacteria, but it’s also one doctors use more carefully now because of serious side effects. If you've been told to take levofloxacin, this page gives the key facts you need—what it treats, how to use it, and what to watch for.
When doctors prescribe levofloxacin
Levofloxacin treats common bacterial infections like pneumonia, some types of bronchitis flare-ups, complicated urinary tract infections, and certain skin infections. The exact dose depends on the infection: typical adult doses range from 250 mg to 750 mg once daily, with treatment length from a few days to two weeks or more. Your doctor will pick the dose and duration based on the illness, your kidney function, and lab results when available.
Common side effects and important warnings
Most people tolerate levofloxacin, but it can cause side effects you should take seriously. Mild effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, or dizziness. More serious problems include tendon inflammation or rupture—especially the Achilles tendon—peripheral neuropathy (lasting nerve pain or numbness), and central nervous system effects like confusion or severe mood changes. Levofloxacin can also affect heart rhythm (QT prolongation) in some people.
Certain factors raise your risk: being older than 60, taking oral steroids, having a history of tendon disorders, or kidney problems. If you notice new tendon pain, tingling, or sudden muscle weakness, stop the drug and contact your doctor right away.
Drug interactions matter. Antacids, sucralfate, iron, and multivitamins with calcium or magnesium reduce levofloxacin absorption—separate these by at least 2 hours before or after your dose. It can interact with blood thinners like warfarin (you may need extra INR checks) and with other drugs that prolong the QT interval.
Pregnant people and children are usually not given levofloxacin unless no safer option exists. That's because fluoroquinolones may affect growing cartilage. Always tell your prescriber if you’re pregnant, nursing, or under 18.
Antibiotic stewardship is important here. Levofloxacin is powerful but not always the first choice. For mild infections, doctors often prefer narrower-spectrum antibiotics when culture tests show they’ll work. Using fluoroquinolones only when necessary helps prevent resistance and avoids avoidable side effects.
Practical tips: take levofloxacin exactly as prescribed, finish the full course even if you feel better, and take the tablet with a full glass of water. Avoid heavy exercise if you develop tendon pain. Keep a list of all your medications and check interactions before starting. If you have kidney disease, your dose may need to be adjusted.
If you have doubts about why levofloxacin was chosen for you, ask your prescriber what alternatives were considered and whether culture results support this choice. That short conversation can help you feel safer and more informed about your treatment.
