Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Indications

xxx

Pharmacology

Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic (see Fluoroquinolones, [[Fluoroquinolones]])

Administration

PO:
IV:

Adverse Effects

Pulmonary Adverse Effects

Drug-Induced Pulmonary Eosinophilia (see Drug-Induced Pulmonary Eosinophilia, [[Drug-Induced Pulmonary Eosinophilia]])

Cardiac Adverse Effects

Q-T Prolongation (see Torsade, [[Torsade]])
Dose-dependently block cardiac voltage-gated potassium channels -> delay in cardiac repolarization
- Risk of Q-T Prolongation (in descending order or probability)
  - High: Sparfloxacin, Grepafloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Gatifloxacin
  - Medium: Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ofloxacin
  - Low: Ciprofloxacin
- Risk of Q-T prolongation with fluoroquinolones is mainly related to additive effects with other Q-T prolonging drugs, risk when used alone is small

Hematologic Adverse Effects

Hemolytic Anemia (see Hemolytic Anemia, [[Hemolytic Anemia]])

Orthopedic Adverse Effects

Tendinitis/Tendon Rupture (see Tendon Rupture, [[Tendon Rupture]])

References

Levofloxacin-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Ann Pharmacother. 2003 Jul-Aug;37(7-8):1010-3 [MEDLINE]