SKU	597
Generic For	Levaquin
Strength	500mg
Manufacturer	Cipla
Active Ingredient	Levofloxacin

Product Description

Levoflox 500mg (Levofloxacin) – Affordable Levaquin Alternative

Levoflox 500 mg is a prescription medicine for adult patients with bacterial infections. It is effective in treating infections of the:

Upper respiratory tract: Acute sinusitis (mild to moderate)
Lower respiratory tract: Worsening of chronic bronchitis, acquired pneumonia, nosocomial pneumonia, or hospital-acquired pneumonia
Skin and skin structure: Mild to moderate uncomplicated and complicated skin and skin structure infections
Urinary tract: Urinary tract infections, mild to moderate pyelonephritis (kidney infection)

Precautions

Dosage should be given per doctor’s guidance to achieve the desired results from this antibacterial medicine.

Method of administration: You should swallow the tablet whole without crushing. The medicine can be taken on an empty stomach or with meals. Drink plenty of water while taking this medicine unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare specialist. As Levoflox treats only bacterial infections, it is not meant to treat viral infections. The antibacterial medicine must be taken at least two hours before or after iron salts, magnesium, zinc salts, or aluminum-containing antacids and sucralfate administration since reduction of absorption can occur.
The usual dosage range is 250 mg to 750 mg twice daily. The length of the treatment to eliminate bacterial infections usually depends on the type and severity of the infection. Usually, the lowest effective dose is recommended for the shortest time to contain and eliminate the infection.
Daily doses that are recommended for Levoflox 500 in patients with normal kidney function include:
Bronchitis, bacterial exacerbations: 500 mg once a day for 5 to 10 days
Pneumonia, community-acquired infection: 500 mg once or twice daily for 10 to 14 days. Doctors usually select the higher dosage in the presence of complicating factors.
Sinusitis: 500 mg once a day for ten days to a week.
Urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis: The recommended once-daily dose is 250 mg once a day for ten days.
To treat complicated skin and soft tissue infections: The usual suggested dose is 500 mg daily for 10 to 14 days.
Dosage for patients with impaired kidney function: Dosage may be adjusted as per the degree of impairment in individuals with impaired kidney function.

Dosage Instructions

Side Effects

The following common side effects of Levoflox 500mg have been observed in clinical trials include nausea, diarrhea (having slightly soft to watery stools), dizziness (lightheadedness, drowsiness), constipation (tough to pass stool), insomnia (lack of sleep), vomiting, abdominal pain or discomfort, dyspnea (shortness of breath), skin rash, Dyspepsia (pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen), pruritus (itching), yeast infection of the mouth and throat.

It is important to seek immediate medical help if you experience rare but serious side effects, including stomach cramps or pain.

How to Use

Dosage should be given per doctor’s guidance to achieve the desired results from this antibacterial medicine.

Method of administration: You should swallow the tablet whole without crushing. The medicine can be taken on an empty stomach or with meals. Drink plenty of water while taking this medicine unless otherwise instructed by your healthcare specialist. As Levoflox treats only bacterial infections, it is not meant to treat viral infections. The antibacterial medicine must be taken at least two hours before or after iron salts, magnesium, zinc salts, or aluminum-containing antacids and sucralfate administration since reduction of absorption can occur.
The usual dosage range is 250 mg to 750 mg twice daily. The length of the treatment to eliminate bacterial infections usually depends on the type and severity of the infection. Usually, the lowest effective dose is recommended for the shortest time to contain and eliminate the infection.
Daily doses that are recommended for Levoflox 500 in patients with normal kidney function include:
Bronchitis, bacterial exacerbations: 500 mg once a day for 5 to 10 days
Pneumonia, community-acquired infection: 500 mg once or twice daily for 10 to 14 days. Doctors usually select the higher dosage in the presence of complicating factors.
Sinusitis: 500 mg once a day for ten days to a week.
Urinary tract infections and acute pyelonephritis: The recommended once-daily dose is 250 mg once a day for ten days.
To treat complicated skin and soft tissue infections: The usual suggested dose is 500 mg daily for 10 to 14 days.
Dosage for patients with impaired kidney function: Dosage may be adjusted as per the degree of impairment in individuals with impaired kidney function.

Infographics

FAQ

What is Levoflox 500mg used for?

Levoflox 500mg is the standard full-dose levofloxacin tablet prescribed for moderate-to-severe bacterial infections in adults. It is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics worldwide for community-acquired pneumonia, acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and COPD (a long-term lung condition), sinus infections that have not responded to other antibiotics, complicated urinary tract infections and kidney infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and the treatment of atypical organisms like Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, and Legionella. It is also used in certain tuberculosis treatment regimens.

Who should avoid Levoflox 500mg?

Levoflox 500mg should not be taken by anyone allergic to levofloxacin or other fluoroquinolones. It should be avoided or used only under very close medical supervision in people with a known or suspected QT-prolonging heart condition, epilepsy or a history of seizures, a previous fluoroquinolone-related tendon injury, myasthenia gravis, or significantly reduced kidney function. It is generally avoided in children, teenagers, and pregnant or breastfeeding women unless there are exceptional clinical circumstances. Always disclose your full medical history and all medications to your prescriber.

What is the usual dosing for Levoflox 500mg?

The standard adult dose is one 500mg tablet once daily. Treatment duration varies by infection: 5–14 days for community-acquired pneumonia, 7–14 days for complicated UTIs or kidney infections, 5–7 days for acute COPD exacerbations, and 5–10 days for skin infections. For tuberculosis, it is used as part of a multi-drug regimen for months. Levofloxacin's once-daily dosing makes it very convenient — one tablet each day at the same time. Complete the full prescribed course regardless of how quickly symptoms improve.

Should Levoflox 500mg be taken with food?

Levoflox 500mg can be taken with or without food — food does not meaningfully affect its absorption. Many people find taking it with a light meal reduces the chance of nausea or stomach upset. The most important dietary consideration with levofloxacin is to separate it from antacids (containing aluminium, magnesium, or calcium), iron supplements, zinc supplements, and calcium-enriched drinks by at least 2 hours — these significantly reduce how much of the antibiotic is absorbed into the body. Drink at least 1.5–2 litres of water throughout the day.

Is Levoflox 500mg safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

Levofloxacin 500mg is not recommended during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest fluoroquinolones can affect joint and cartilage development in growing organisms, and this risk applies to the developing foetus. Safer alternatives (cephalosporins, amoxicillin, macrolides) are available for most infections encountered in pregnancy. Levofloxacin passes into breast milk and is not recommended during breastfeeding. Your doctor will always try to prescribe a safer alternative for common infections during pregnancy or breastfeeding, using levofloxacin only in exceptional circumstances where no other effective antibiotic is appropriate.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Levoflox 500mg?

Alcohol should be avoided while taking Levoflox 500mg. Levofloxacin at the 500mg dose can already cause dizziness, headache, and nervousness — alcohol amplifies all of these. For serious infections like pneumonia or kidney infections (which are the typical indications for this dose), your body needs all available resources to fight the infection — alcohol actively undermines this by suppressing immune function and dehydrating the body. For the full course duration (which may be up to 14 days), avoiding alcohol entirely is the sensible approach.

How does Levoflox 500mg compare to Zoclar (clarithromycin) for pneumonia?

Both levofloxacin and clarithromycin are used for community-acquired pneumonia, but they have different strengths. Levofloxacin has excellent coverage against Streptococcus pneumoniae (the most common pneumonia bacterium), Legionella pneumophila (a serious cause of pneumonia), and other atypical organisms — in one tablet, once daily. Clarithromycin is also effective for atypical organisms but has slightly less potent pneumococcal coverage and requires twice-daily dosing. Levofloxacin is typically preferred for patients with risk factors for resistant organisms or those who have not responded to first-line treatment. Your doctor will make the most appropriate choice.

Does Levoflox 500mg interact with other medications?

Important drug interactions of levofloxacin at 500mg include: QT-prolonging medicines (antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, some antihistamines) — increased risk of dangerous heart rhythm; warfarin — enhanced anticoagulant effect requiring closer INR monitoring; diabetes medicines — unpredictable blood sugar fluctuations (both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia reported); NSAIDs — increased seizure risk; corticosteroids — significantly increased tendon rupture risk in combination; antacids, iron, and mineral supplements — reduced levofloxacin absorption. Always provide your complete medication list when being prescribed levofloxacin.

What are the important lifestyle precautions while taking Levoflox 500mg?

Important precautions include: avoid strenuous physical exercise (running, heavy gym work, sports) during the full course and for at least 48 hours after finishing, as levofloxacin increases the risk of tendon injury. Wear sunscreen and protective clothing outdoors — levofloxacin increases photosensitivity (the skin burns more easily in sunlight). If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar carefully as both low and high readings can occur. Report any tendon pain (especially in the heel), unusual anxiety, or nervous system symptoms to your doctor immediately. Drink plenty of fluids throughout treatment.

What happens if I miss a dose of Levoflox 500mg?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember on the same day. If you only remember the following day, skip the missed dose and take the next regular dose as scheduled — do not take two tablets on the same day. Once-daily dosing means each missed dose represents a full 24-hour gap in antibiotic coverage, which is more significant than missing one dose in a twice-daily or three-times-daily regimen. To avoid missing doses during long courses (up to 14 days), fix your daily tablet time to a firm daily routine — for example, always with your morning glass of water.

What are the common side effects of levofloxacin?

The most commonly reported side effects of levofloxacin include nausea, diarrhoea, stomach discomfort, and vomiting. Headache, dizziness, and insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep) are also commonly reported. Some people notice vivid dreams during treatment. Mild skin photosensitivity (burning more easily in the sun) is a recognised effect. As with all antibiotics, oral or vaginal thrush can develop. Mild tendon discomfort — typically in the heel or along the back of the knee — should be reported to your doctor and taken seriously rather than dismissed.

What side effects of levofloxacin require urgent attention?

Stop levofloxacin and seek emergency care if you develop sudden pain, swelling, or tearing in a tendon (especially the Achilles tendon) — fluoroquinolone-related tendon rupture is a recognised emergency. Seek urgent care for signs of anaphylaxis (hives, throat swelling, breathing difficulty). Neurological emergencies — seizures, sudden confusion, hallucinations, or psychosis — require immediate medical help. Heart rhythm abnormalities (palpitations, fainting) are urgent. Tingling or burning in the hands or feet (peripheral neuropathy) should be reported promptly. Severe diarrhoea (watery or bloody) may indicate C. difficile colitis.

Levoflox 500mg