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Levaquin Side Effects

Generic name: levofloxacin

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 25, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Levaquin Side Effects associated with levofloxacin. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Levaquin.

Applies to levofloxacin: oral solution, oral tablet.

Other dosage forms:

Important Warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (Tablet; Solution)

Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, are associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together, including tendinitis and tendon rupture, peripheral neuropathy, and CNS effects.

Discontinue levofloxacin and avoid use of fluoroquinolones in patients with these serious adverse reactions.

Reserve use of levofloxacin for patients with no alternative treatment options for an uncomplicated UTI, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, or acute bacterial sinusitis.

Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in persons with myasthenia gravis.

Avoid in patients with known history of myasthenia gravis.

Serious side effects of Levaquin

Along with its needed effects, levofloxacin (the active ingredient contained in Levaquin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levofloxacin:

More common

  • diarrhea

Rare

  • agitation
  • blisters
  • confusion
  • diarrhea (watery and severe) which may also be bloody
  • feeling that others can hear your thoughts or control your behavior
  • fever
  • pain, inflammation, or swelling in the calves of the legs, shoulders, or hands, including tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis)
  • redness and swelling of the skin
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
  • sensation of burning on the skin
  • severe mood or mental changes
  • stomach cramps or pain (severe)
  • skin rash, itching, or redness
  • trembling
  • unusual behavior

Incidence not known

  • black, tarry stools
  • blurred vision
  • burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensation including peripheral neuropathy.
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • difficulty with breathing
  • difficulty with chewing, talking, or swallowing
  • drooping eyelids
  • fainting
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • general body swelling
  • hives
  • hoarseness
  • joint or muscle pain including tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis).
  • muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness
  • peeling or loosening of the skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • seizures
  • severe dizziness
  • severe tiredness
  • tightness in the chest
  • unsteadiness or awkwardness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • vision changes
  • voice changes
  • weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet including worsening of myasthenia gravis.

Other side effects of Levaquin

Some side effects of levofloxacin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

  • change in taste
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • lightheadedness
  • nausea
  • nervousness
  • stomach pain or discomfort
  • trouble sleeping
  • vaginal itching and discharge
  • vomiting

Incidence not known

  • feeling of warmth or heat
  • flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
  • sweating

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to levofloxacin: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral solution, oral tablet.

General

The most frequently reported side effects with the IV and oral formulations included nausea, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, constipation, and dizziness. Therapy was discontinued due to side effects in 4.3% of patients overall (3.8% treated with 250 mg and 500 mg doses; 5.4% treated with 750 mg dose). The most common side effects leading to discontinuation were gastrointestinal (primarily nausea, vomiting), dizziness, and headache.

Cough/productive cough, dysgeusia, and fatigue/asthenia were reported most often with the nebulizer solution formulation.

Very rare cases of prolonged (up to months or years), disabling, and potentially irreversible serious side effects affecting several (sometimes multiple) system organ classes and senses (including reactions such as tendonitis, tendon rupture, arthralgia, pain in extremities, gait disturbance, neuropathies associated with paresthesia, depression, fatigue, memory impairment, sleep disorders, impairment of hearing/vision/taste/smell) have been reported in association with use of quinolones and fluoroquinolones, in some cases irrespective of preexisting risk factors.[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Epistaxis
Frequency not reported: Rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, chronic obstructive airway disease, laryngitis, pleurisy, pneumonitis, upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, cough, hemoptysis, hiccough, hypoxia, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolism, respiratory insufficiency, airway obstruction, acute respiratory distress syndrome, aspiration, bronchospasm, emphysema, pneumonia, pneumothorax, pulmonary collapse, pulmonary edema, respiratory depression, respiratory disorder
Postmarketing reports: Allergic pneumonitis (isolated reports), dysphonia

Nebulizer Solution:
Very common (10% or more): Cough/productive cough (54%), dyspnea, changes in bronchial secretions (volume, viscosity), hemoptysis, decreased forced expiratory volume
Common (1% to 10%): Dysphonia, decreased pulmonary function test, abnormal breath sounds
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, bronchial hyper-reactivity, obstructive airways disorder[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsions, hyperkinesias, hypertonia, paresthesia, somnolence, tremor, vertigo, abnormal gait, syncope, dysgeusia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tinnitus
Frequency not reported: Abnormal coordination, coma, hypoesthesia, dysesthesia, weakness, involuntary muscle contractions, hyperesthesia, paralysis, speech disorder, stupor, encephalopathy, leg cramps, ataxia, migraine, seizures, benign intracranial hypertension, hearing loss, hearing impaired, peripheral sensory neuropathy/sensory axonal polyneuropathy, peripheral sensory motor neuropathy/sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy, dyskinesia, extrapyramidal disorder, hypoglycemic coma
Postmarketing reports: Abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, anosmia, ageusia, parosmia, encephalopathy (isolated reports), pseudotumor cerebri, hypoacusis, peripheral neuropathy (sometimes irreversible)

Nebulizer Solution:
Very common (10% or more): Dysgeusia (30%)
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, tinnitus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hyposmia, somnolence, peripheral neuropathy, hearing loss[Ref]

Cases of sensory or sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy (affecting small and/or large axons) resulting in paresthesias, hypoesthesias, dysesthesias, and weakness have been reported.

One survey reported 33 cases of peripheral neuropathy associated with this drug, ranging in severity from mild and reversible to severe and persistent. In 1 case, a 51-year-old female developed "electrical" sensations, numbness, allodynia, multiple severe tendinitis, partial tendon rupture, impaired memory, confusion, and impaired concentration, with some symptoms persisting after 1 year.[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, edema, moniliasis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia, increased alkaline phosphatase, fungal infection (including Candida infection), pathogen resistance
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pyrexia
Frequency not reported: Malaise, increased LDH, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated serum cholesterol, rigors, substernal chest pain, ascites, changed temperature sensation, ear disorder (unspecified), enlarged abdomen, hot flashes, gangrene, influenza-like symptoms, leg pain, multiple organ failure, earache, abscess, herpes simplex, bacterial infection, viral infection, otitis media, sepsis, pain (including pain in back, chest, extremities), fatigue, face edema, flushing, aggravated condition
Postmarketing reports: Multi-organ failure

Nebulizer Solution:
Very common (10% or more): Fatigue/asthenia (25%), decreased exercise tolerance
Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased blood alkaline phosphatase[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, glossitis, gastritis, esophagitis, flatulence, stomatitis, pseudomembranous/Clostridioides difficile colitis
Frequency not reported: Dry mouth, dysphagia, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, tongue edema, gastroesophageal reflux, melena, taste perversion, intestinal perforation, intestinal obstruction, C difficile-associated diarrhea, hemorrhagic diarrhea, enterocolitis

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retching, dyspepsia, flatulence, oral fungal infection[Ref]

During 1 study, C difficile-associated diarrhea occurred in 11 of 490 study patients (2.2%) receiving this drug.

Hemorrhagic diarrhea has been reported, which in very rare cases was indicative of enterocolitis (including pseudomembranous colitis).[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, confusional state, nervousness, depression, hallucination, nightmare, sleep disorder
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Psychotic reactions (with hallucination, paranoia)
Frequency not reported: Aggressive reaction, delirium, emotional lability, impaired concentration, manic reaction, mental deficiency, toxic psychoses, withdrawal syndrome, psychotic disorders/reactions with self-endangering behavior (including suicidal ideation, suicide attempt)
Postmarketing reports: Psychosis, paranoia, suicide attempt (isolated reports), suicidal ideation (isolated reports), completed suicide (isolated reports)

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, depression[Ref]

Attempted or completed suicide reported, especially in patients with medical history of/underlying risk factor for depression.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, hyperhidrosis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angioedema, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), fixed drug eruption
Frequency not reported: Dry skin, skin disorder, skin exfoliation, skin ulceration, erythematous rash, alopecia, maculopapular rash, erythema nodosum, eczema, mucocutaneous reactions
Postmarketing reports: Photosensitivity/phototoxicity reaction, bullous eruptions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, fixed drug eruptions, erythema multiforme), leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased hepatic enzymes (ALT/AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGT)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal hepatic function, increased blood bilirubin
Frequency not reported: Acute hepatocellular injury, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, hepatic coma, hepatic necrosis, bilirubinemia, severe liver injury (including fatal cases with acute liver failure)
Postmarketing reports: Severe hepatotoxicity (including acute hepatitis and fatal events), hepatic failure (including fatal cases), hepatitis, jaundice

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis, hyperbilirubinemia, abnormal liver function test[Ref]

Severe liver injury (including fatal cases with acute liver failure) has been reported, primarily in patients with severe underlying diseases.

A 74-year-old female developed hepatotoxicity and significantly increased AST (4962 units/L), ALT (7071 units/L), alkaline phosphatase (90 units/L), and total bilirubin (2.5 mg/dL) after starting this drug. Levels returned to normal within a week after discontinuation.

Severe hepatotoxicity usually occurred within 14 days (most within 6 days) after starting this drug and most cases were not associated with hypersensitivity. The majority of fatal hepatotoxicity cases occurred in patients 65 years or older and most were not associated with hypersensitivity.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Vaginitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Genital moniliasis
Frequency not reported: Dysmenorrhea, hematuria, dysuria, oliguria, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, leukorrhea, genital pruritus, ejaculation failure, impotence, albuminuria, candiduria, crystalluria, cylindruria, vaginal candidiasis, urinary tract infection

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Vulvovaginal mycotic infection[Ref]

Metabolic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia
Frequency not reported: Decreased blood glucose, hypomagnesemia, thirst, aggravated diabetes mellitus, dehydration, hypokalemia, gout, hypernatremia, hypophosphatemia, weight decrease, fluid overload, hyponatremia, acidosis, symptomatic hypoglycemia, electrolyte abnormalities

Nebulizer Solution:
Very common (10% or more): Anorexia
Common (1% to 10%): Increased and decreased blood glucose

Fluoroquinolones:
Frequency not reported: Attacks of porphyria[Ref]

Hypoglycemia has been reported, especially in diabetic patients.

A 79-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus developed severe hypoglycemia (blood glucose 6 mg/dL) and became unresponsive 6 hours after receiving 1 dose of this drug (250 mg IV). Blood glucose levels subsequently ranged between 40 to 159 mg/dL with dextrose doses and infusions; however, he did not regain consciousness and expired 2 days later.

Attacks of porphyria in patients with porphyria have been associated with fluoroquinolone use.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Phlebitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrest, palpitation, ventricular arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tachycardia, hypotension
Frequency not reported: Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, circulatory failure, coronary thrombosis, heart block, hypertension, aggravated hypertension, myocardial infarction, postural hypotension, purpura, supraventricular tachycardia, deep thrombophlebitis, vasculitis, ventricular fibrillation
Postmarketing reports: Vasodilation, QT interval prolongation/prolonged ECG QT, torsade de pointes

Nebulizer Solution:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, prolonged ECG QT[Ref]

Local

Musculoskeletal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, myalgia, skeletal pain, tendinitis
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tendon disorders (including tendinitis [e.g., Achilles tendon]), muscular weakness
Frequency not reported: Arthritis, arthrosis, pathological fracture, osteomyelitis, synovitis , back pain, ligament rupture
Postmarketing reports: Tendon rupture (e.g., Achilles tendon), muscle injury (including rupture), increased muscle enzymes, rhabdomyolysis

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, myalgia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tendinitis, costochondritis, joint stiffness[Ref]

Achilles tendon rupture occurred in 4 of 489 study patients (3217 treatment days) after 1 to 10 days of this drug.

Severe rhabdomyolysis occurred in a 77-year-old female after 6 days of oral therapy. She developed acute renal failure (serum creatinine 678 micromole/L), hyperkalemia (6.8 micromole/L), anuria, elevated creatine kinase (30,400 international units/L), myoglobinemia (86,000 mcg/L), and acute hepatic cytolysis (AST 555 international units/L, ALT 249 international units/L). The fluid/electrolyte disorders and creatine kinase and myoglobin levels improved with hemodialysis; however, the patient died of a myocardial infarction and respiratory failure after 13 days.[Ref]

Renal

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal renal function, acute renal failure (e.g., due to interstitial nephritis), increased blood creatinine
Frequency not reported: Renal calculi, allergic interstitial nephritis, increased nonprotein nitrogen
Postmarketing reports: Interstitial nephritis

Nebulizer Solution:
Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood creatinine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Renal failure[Ref]

A 73-year-old male developed vasculitis and acute renal failure within 3 days of starting oral therapy. Symptoms included significantly decreased urine output (0.5 to 0.7 L/day), palpable purpura, erythematous skin lesions, and increased serum creatinine (6.4 mg/dL) and BUN (190 mg/dL). The condition resolved within 4 weeks after discontinuation of this drug. Due to the possibility that this may have been an allergic reaction, rechallenge was not attempted.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reaction
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (sometimes fatal and including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid shock, serum sickness, angioneurotic edema)

Nebulizer Solution:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity[Ref]

Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported, sometimes after the first dose.[Ref]

Hematologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Neutropenia
Frequency not reported: Decreased lymphocytes, abnormal WBCs (unspecified), abnormal platelets, agranulocytosis, hematoma, leukocytosis, lymphadenopathy, decreased prothrombin, purpura, thrombocythemia, serious hematological side effects (e.g., pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia)
Postmarketing reports: Hemolytic anemia, pancytopenia, aplastic anemia, prothrombin time prolonged, INR prolonged

Nebulizer Solution:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, neutropenia, increased eosinophil count, decreased platelet count[Ref]

Ocular

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Visual disturbances (e.g., blurred vision)
Frequency not reported: Ophthalmologic abnormalities (including cataracts, multiple punctate lenticular opacities), abnormal vision, eye pain, nystagmus, conjunctivitis, transient vision loss
Postmarketing reports: Vision disturbance (including diplopia), reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, scotomata, uveitis

Nebulizer Solution:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbance[Ref]

Endocrine

Oncologic

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Frequently asked questions

Further information

Levaquin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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