What is "levofloxacin"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) A broad-spectrum antibiotic having a fluoroquinolone structure.

Levofloxacin, sold under the trade names Levaquin among others, is an antibiotic. It is used to treat a number of bacterial infections including acute bacterial sinusitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, chronic prostatitis, and some types of gastroenteritis. Along with other antibiotics it may be used to treat tuberculosis, meningitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease. It is available by mouth or intravenously.

Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and trouble sleeping. Serious side effects may include tendon rupture, tendon inflammation, seizures, psychosis, and potentially permanent peripheral nerve damage. Tendon damage may appear months after treatment is completed. People may also sunburn more easily. In people with myasthenia gravis muscle weakness and breathing problems may worsen. The risk of use during pregnancy is low and it is probably okay during breastfeeding. Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic of the fluoroquinolone drug class. It usually results in death of the bacteria. It is the left sided isomer of the medication ofloxacin.

Levofloxacin was approved for medical use in the United States in 1996. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system. It is available as a generic medication. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about 0.44 to 0.95 USD per week of treatment. In the United States a week of treatment cost about 50 to 100 USD.