Levofloxacin

The Basics

What is Levofloxacin?

An antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections including acute bacterial sinusitis, pneumonia, H. pylori, urinary tract infections, chronic prostatitis, and some types of gastroenteritis.

Brand names for Levofloxacin

Levaquin

How Levofloxacin is classified

Anti-Infective Agents, Antibacterial Agents, Quinolones, Fluoroquinolones

Levofloxacin During Pregnancy

Levofloxacin pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Levofloxacin while pregnant

N/A

Taking Levofloxacin While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is the S -enantiomer of the fluoroquinolone, ofloxacin. No information is available on the clinical use of levofloxacin during breastfeeding. However, amounts in breastmilk appear to be low and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants’ developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk.[1][2] The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk,[3] but insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Use of levofloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). Avoiding breastfeeding for 4 to 6 hours after a dose should decrease the exposure of the infant to levofloxacin in breastmilk. Maternal use of an eye drop that contains levofloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Levofloxacin is the S -enantiomer of the fluoroquinolone, ofloxacin. No information is available on the clinical use of levofloxacin during breastfeeding. However, amounts in breastmilk appear to be low and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Fluoroquinolones such as levofloxacin have traditionally not been used in infants because of concern about adverse effects on the infants’ developing joints. However, recent studies indicate little risk.[1][2] The calcium in milk might prevent absorption of the small amounts of fluoroquinolones in milk,[3] but insufficient data exist to prove or disprove this assertion. Use of levofloxacin is acceptable in nursing mothers with monitoring of the infant for possible effects on the gastrointestinal flora, such as diarrhea or candidiasis (thrush, diaper rash). Avoiding breastfeeding for 4 to 6 hours after a dose should decrease the exposure of the infant to levofloxacin in breastmilk. Maternal use of an eye drop that contains levofloxacin presents negligible risk for the nursing infant.

Possible effects of Levofloxacin on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Levofloxacin

(Systemic) Ciprofloxacin; (Ophthalmic) Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin.