Drug Interaction Report

Limited data suggest that chemotherapy with antineoplastic agents may reduce the plasma concentrations of oral quinolone antibiotics. The proposed mechanism is decreased quinolone absorption secondary to alteration of intestinal mucosa by cancer chemotherapy. In six patients with newly diagnosed hematologic malignancy, treatment with various antineoplastic agents (cyclophosphamide, cytarabine, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, mitoxantrone, prednisolone, vincristine) decreased the mean peak serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC 0 to 4 hours) of ciprofloxacin by approximately 46% each. Data are not available for other quinolone antibiotics.

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Food may reduce the oral absorption and bioavailability of levofloxacin. According to the drug product labeling, administration of levofloxacin 500 mg with food prolonged the time to peak concentration by 1 hour and decreased the Cmax decreased by 25% following administration of the oral solution and by 14% following administration of the oral tablet.

MANAGEMENT: To ensure maximal and consistent oral absorption, levofloxacin oral solution should be taken at least one hour before or two hours after meals. For administration of the oral solution with continuous enteral nutrition, some experts recommend that the tube feeding should be interrupted for one hour before and two hours after the dose of levofloxacin. The oral tablets may be taken without regard to food.