levofloxacin

Quinolone antibiotics like levofloxacin can raise your risk of inflammation in the tendon (tendonitis) or tearing of the tendon. This most often happens at the Achilles tendon, which is above your heel. It can also affect other tendons throughout your body (e.g., shoulder, hand). Tendon damage can happen at any time after you start levofloxacin or up to several months after stopping the medication. If you experience pain or swelling in your joints or muscles, stop taking levofloxacin and contact your healthcare professional (HCP) right away.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics like levofloxacin can raise your risk of seizures, dizziness, and tremors. This medication can also put you at risk for nerve damage that can happen shortly after starting treatment. In some cases, nerve problems can be permanent. Nerve damage can feel like pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, and changes in sensations related to touch or temperature.

If you have myasthenia gravis, taking levofloxacin can worsen symptoms like muscle weakness and difficulty breathing. Ask your HCP about safer alternative treatment options if you have myasthenia gravis.

Severe allergic reactions to levofloxacin are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). If you notice hives, rash, red skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing after taking levofloxacin, call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Some people taking levofloxacin have reported serious liver problems that sometimes led to liver failure. Though rare, severe cases occurred within 6 to 14 days of starting the antibiotic. Get medical attention right away if you notice swelling of your stomach, stomach pain, yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, stool changes (black, tarry, or bloody stools), or dark or brown urine. You might need to stop using the medication to prevent further liver damage.

Although rare, in studies, there was a higher rate of severe damage to the aorta within 2 months of finishing a fluoroquinolone like levofloxacin, particularly in older adults. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, and it delivers blood to the rest of your body. Damage to the aorta, such as weakening and tearing, can be severe and life-threatening. Talk with your HCP if you have a history of an aortic aneurysm since levofloxacin might not be the best medication for you. If you've taken a fluoroquinolone antibiotic recently and experience sudden pain in the chest, back, or stomach that's severe and doesn't go away, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.

Levofloxacin can raise your risk of getting infected with a bacteria called Clostridioides difficile (C. diff). This infection can cause severe diarrhea. Antibiotics change the amount of normal bacteria in your stomach and intestines. This can cause C. diff to overgrow in your gut and lead to an infection. While diarrhea is a side effect of levofloxacin, C. diff-related diarrhea can cause rapid heart rate, foul-smelling diarrhea, fever, nausea, and frequent bowel movements (even up to 15 times per day). This type of diarrhea is an emergency. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical attention promptly so you can get tested for C. diff infection and receive treatment.

Levofloxacin can affect your heart rhythm, which can be serious and life-threatening. One example includes lengthening the time it takes for your heart to pump and then relax. This is known as QT prolongation. Your risk for QT prolongation is higher if you have certain factors, including abnormal electrolyte levels, heart rhythm problems, or are taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as amiodarone (Pacerone), among others. If you feel your chest pounding, have shortness of breath or chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking levofloxacin, call 911 right away.

In studies, some children taking levofloxacin had problems with their muscles, bones, or joints. Because of this risk, levofloxacin should only be used in children if other antibiotics can't be used. Your child's pediatrician will decide whether levofloxacin is an appropriate antibiotic for your child.