Are you taking Levofloxacin? Are you aware of the dangers of combining Levofloxacin with certain foods, herbs or alcohol? Drug-food-interactions are seldom discussed but can lead to undesirable side effects and potentially diminish the efficacy of the medication.
Drugs.com. Levofloxacin and Alcohol/Food Interactions
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Dairy products: Avoid dairy products such as milk and yogurt for at least 2 hours before and after taking the medication as it may cause some side effects (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Levofloxacin Fact Sheet
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Levofloxacin Fact Sheet
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References
1. Drugs.com. Levofloxacin and Alcohol/Food Interactions https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/levofloxacin,levaquin.html?professional=1
2. Levofloxacin Fact Sheet. https://www.occhd.org/application/files/8314/6609/7218/Levofloxacin_Fact_Sheet.pdf
3. Mergenhagen, K. A., Wattengel, B. A., Skelly, M. K., Clark, C. M., & Russo, T. A. (2020). Fact versus fiction: A Review of the evidence behind alcohol and antibiotic interactions. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 64 (3), e02167-19. doi:10.1128/AAC.02167-19
Levofloxacin Interactions with Food and Herbs
Multivitamins plus Minerals supplement: When you are on levofloxacin, avoid taking a multivitamin plus minerals supplement medication as it may interfere with the absorption of the drug into the bloodstream and reduce its potency (1✔ ✔Trusted SourceDrugs.com. Levofloxacin and Alcohol/Food Interactions
Go to source).
Dairy products: Avoid dairy products such as milk and yogurt for at least 2 hours before and after taking the medication as it may cause some side effects (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Levofloxacin Fact Sheet
Go to source).
Levofloxacin Interactions with Alcohol
- Combined use of alcohol and levofloxacin may lead to some side effects such as disorientation, nervousness, disturbances in attention, memory loss, and confusion.
- It is best to avoid alcohol when you are on levofloxacin (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Mergenhagen, K. A., Wattengel, B. A., Skelly, M. K., Clark, C. M., & Russo, T. A. (2020). Fact versus fiction: A Review of the evidence behind alcohol and antibiotic interactions. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 64(3), e02167-19.
Go to source).
Levofloxacin Interactions with Caffeine
Avoid intake of levofloxacin along with caffeine-containing products like coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate, as it can make the drug last longer in the blood (2✔ ✔Trusted SourceLevofloxacin Fact Sheet
Go to source).
When and How to Take Levofloxacin
- Levofloxacin is available in the form of a tablet or a solution to take orally (by mouth).
- You may take the tablet preferably once a day with or without food and the solution must be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
- Follow the instructions as given by your doctor's prescription. Take the medication at around the same time every day for better results. Do not exceed or skip the dose. If you miss it, take the medication as soon as you remember.
- Do not double the dose at a time to compensate for the missed dose (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
Levofloxacin Fact Sheet
Go to source).
References
1. Drugs.com. Levofloxacin and Alcohol/Food Interactions https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/levofloxacin,levaquin.html?professional=1
2. Levofloxacin Fact Sheet. https://www.occhd.org/application/files/8314/6609/7218/Levofloxacin_Fact_Sheet.pdf
3. Mergenhagen, K. A., Wattengel, B. A., Skelly, M. K., Clark, C. M., & Russo, T. A. (2020). Fact versus fiction: A Review of the evidence behind alcohol and antibiotic interactions. Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 64 (3), e02167-19. doi:10.1128/AAC.02167-19
