Key takeaways
Levofloxacin and Azithromycin (Zithromax) are both antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, including pneumonia and sinus infections. However, they belong to different medication classes: levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, while azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic. Levofloxacin is typically used for more serious infections due to its potential for severe side effects, such as tendon rupture and nerve damage, and is usually taken once daily. In contrast, azithromycin is often taken for a shorter duration, typically 3 to 5 days, and is available in a convenient Z-Pak form. Levofloxacin is available only as a generic, while azithromycin is available as both a brand and generic. Common side effects of levofloxacin include nausea, headache, and diarrhea, whereas azithromycin may cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Both medications can cause QT prolongation, a serious heart rhythm problem, but azithromycin also has a rare risk of increasing heart-related death. Levofloxacin interacts with antacids and multivitamins, while azithromycin can interact with antiarrhythmics and statins.
