LEVOFLOXACIN (Levofloxacin)
What to know about LEVOFLOXACIN — also sold as Levofloxacin: uses, side effects, interactions, and safety considerations for people taking it or caring for someone who is.
LEVOFLOXACIN (brand names: Levofloxacin) is classified as Low risk (1 risk points) by AllMeds. It is a S4 medication under the TGA in Australia. FDA approved in the United States. Fluoroquinolone antibiotic with QTc prolongation risk and CNS side effects.
Key Takeaways
- TGA Schedule: S4 in Australia
- Risk level: Low (1 points)
- Recommended maximum duration: 14 days
Scheduling and Classification
| Jurisdiction | Classification | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (TGA) | S4 | Not PBS listed |
| United States (FDA) | Rx only | FDA approved |
Risk Profile
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic with QTc prolongation risk and CNS side effects.
How LEVOFLOXACIN is regulated
LEVOFLOXACIN is overseen by medicines regulators in each country. The rules below explain how it's scheduled, what oversight applies, and what to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, changing, or stopping this medication.
Australia TGA / PBS / State Schemes
Classified as S4 under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
SIRA best practice guidelines recommend a maximum opioid duration of 14 days for acute pain. Prescribing beyond this requires documented clinical justification and may trigger a Reasonable and Necessary determination.
WorkSafe Victoria Drugs of Dependence Guidelines require monitoring for all S8 opioids. WorkCover QLD Pain Intervention Guidelines recommend multimodal pain management with opioids as a last resort.
United Kingdom NICE / MHRA / FPM
NICE NG193 (Chronic Pain) recommends against initiating opioids for chronic primary pain. The Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) Opioids Aware resource recommends structured opioid prescribing with regular review, dose limits, and documented tapering plans.
For personal injury claims in the UK, opioid prescribing duration and dose should be reviewed against NICE and FPM guidelines. Costs may be recoverable as a disbursement in high-value PI claims.
United States FDA / CDC / State WC
FDA approved for use in the United States.
FDA Boxed Warning: BOXED WARNING SECTION WARNING: SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS • Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )], including: o Tendinitis and tendon rupture [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] o Peripheral neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3)] o Central nervous system effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Discontinue levofloxacin immediately and avoid the use of fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, in patients who experience any of these serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] • Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. Avoid levofloxacin in patients with a known history of myasthenia gravis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5)]. • Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with serious adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 to 5.15 )], reserve levofloxacin for use in patients who have no alternative treatment options for the following indications: o Uncomplicated urinary tract infection [see Indications and Usage (1.12)] o Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis [see Indications and Usage ( 1.13)] o Acute bacterial sinusitis [see Indications and Usage ( 1.14)] WARNING: SERIOUS ADVERSE REACTIONS INCLUDING TENDINITIS, TENDON RUPTURE, PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY, CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM EFFECTS AND EXACERBATION OF MYASTHENIA GRAVIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with disabling and potentially irreversible serious adverse reactions that have occurred together ( 5.1 ), including: o Tendinitis and tendon rupture (5.2) o Peripheral neuropathy (5.3) o Central nervous system effects (5.4) Discontinue levofloxacin immediately and avoid the use of fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, in patients who experience any of these serious adverse reactions (5.1 ) Fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, may exacerbate muscle weakness in patients with myasthenia gravis. Avoid levofloxacin in patients with a known history of myasthenia gravis [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )]. Because fluoroquinolones, including levofloxacin, have been associated with serious adverse reactions ( 5.1 to 5.15 ), reserve levofloxacin for use in patients who have no alternative treatment options for the following indications: o Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (1.12 ) o Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (1.13) o Acute bacterial sinusitis (1.14)
The CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids (2022) recommends non-opioid therapies as first-line treatment for pain. When opioids are prescribed, the lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest duration needed.
For workers compensation claims, many states require prior authorization for opioids beyond initial acute prescribing. State drug formularies (e.g. California MTUS, Texas, New York) may restrict or require step therapy before opioid approval.
New Zealand ACC / BPAC NZ / Medsafe
BPAC NZ recommends reassessing opioid therapy at regular intervals and limiting duration. The NZ Opioid Prescribing B-QuiCK Guide provides structured prescribing and tapering protocols.
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) covers treatment-related medications for accepted claims. Opioid prescribing beyond guidelines may require ACC clinical review and approval.
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Important: This page is general health information, not personal medical advice. If you have questions about your medication — including starting it, stopping it, changing the dose, or combining it with something else — speak with your doctor or pharmacist. For an emergency or suspected overdose, call your local emergency number or poison information service immediately. Information is drawn from regulator and clinical guideline sources (TGA, FDA, MHRA, NICE, PBS, CDC); see our methodology for details.