LEVOFLOXACIN

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Levofloxacin Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

112,219 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About LEVOFLOXACIN

LEVOFLOXACIN is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Based on analysis of 112,219 FDA adverse event reports, LEVOFLOXACIN has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for LEVOFLOXACIN include OFF LABEL USE, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, DYSPNOEA, PNEUMONIA, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for LEVOFLOXACIN.

AI Safety Analysis

Levofloxacin has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 112,219 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Ani Pharmaceuticals, Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Dyspnoea. Of classified reports, 88.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Levofloxacin reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (88.1%).

The most common reactions include kidney injury, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Drug interactions and hyper-sensitivity reactions are also frequently reported.

Patients taking Levofloxacin should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Levofloxacin can interact with various drugs, leading to increased toxicity or reduced efficacy. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Levofloxacin received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 88.1% serious event ratio across 58,022 classified reports. The score accounts for 112,219 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE3,120 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE2,964 reports
DYSPNOEA2,947 reports
PNEUMONIA2,865 reports
NAUSEA2,789 reports
PYREXIA2,721 reports
FATIGUE2,659 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY2,594 reports
DIARRHOEA2,461 reports
PAIN2,422 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE2,286 reports
ARTHRALGIA2,221 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,901 reports
VOMITING1,877 reports
RENAL FAILURE1,762 reports
DEATH1,759 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY1,746 reports
ASTHENIA1,702 reports
RASH1,638 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,544 reports
DRUG INTERACTION1,534 reports
HEADACHE1,488 reports
DIZZINESS1,434 reports
HYPOTENSION1,430 reports
ANAEMIA1,408 reports
ANXIETY1,387 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,342 reports
FALL1,338 reports
COUGH1,273 reports
CONSTIPATION1,243 reports
NEUTROPENIA1,221 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,214 reports
MYALGIA1,188 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL1,148 reports
MALAISE1,141 reports
TENDONITIS1,125 reports
INSOMNIA1,041 reports
TENDON PAIN1,036 reports
PRURITUS1,033 reports
SEPSIS986 reports
DECREASED APPETITE981 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE971 reports
BACK PAIN908 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE906 reports
INFECTION857 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS850 reports
ASTHMA839 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION831 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED827 reports
PARAESTHESIA825 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN817 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED815 reports
HYPERTENSION814 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS812 reports
DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS810 reports
DEPRESSION809 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION797 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE791 reports
BALANCE DISORDER752 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA735 reports
TENDON RUPTURE729 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE722 reports
ERYTHEMA720 reports
WHEEZING709 reports
COGNITIVE DISORDER706 reports
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION706 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED706 reports
PULMONARY EMBOLISM702 reports
PRODUCTIVE COUGH698 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED680 reports
DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS661 reports
HYPOXIA659 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE656 reports
PANCYTOPENIA655 reports
ELECTROCARDIOGRAM QT PROLONGED652 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY649 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS636 reports
TREMOR617 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK616 reports
URTICARIA612 reports
TENDON DISORDER610 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER607 reports
CHEST PAIN579 reports
LOSS OF PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES568 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE565 reports
JOINT SWELLING563 reports
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED562 reports
TACHYCARDIA561 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL556 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION550 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED547 reports
COVID 19545 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT541 reports
DEHYDRATION540 reports
SEIZURE522 reports
ASPARTATE AMINOTRANSFERASE INCREASED521 reports
SEDATION520 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION517 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING510 reports
DRUG INTOLERANCE509 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease are significant safety signals.
  • Respiratory failure and pneumonia are critical adverse events.
  • Drug hypersensitivity and tendon disorders are also key safety signals.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 26,292, Male: 24,963, Unknown: 227. The most frequently reported age groups are age 77 (1,281 reports), age 65 (1,201 reports), age 67 (1,069 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 58,022 classified reports for LEVOFLOXACIN:

  • Serious: 51,134 reports (88.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 6,888 reports (11.9%)
Serious 88.1%Non-Serious 11.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female26,292 (51.1%)
Male24,963 (48.5%)
Unknown227 (0.4%)

Reports by Age

Age 771,281 reports
Age 651,201 reports
Age 671,069 reports
Age 721,041 reports
Age 601,029 reports
Age 691,017 reports
Age 661,012 reports
Age 611,001 reports
Age 68994 reports
Age 70982 reports
Age 75945 reports
Age 73936 reports
Age 71922 reports
Age 64915 reports
Age 76908 reports
Age 74900 reports
Age 63897 reports
Age 56853 reports
Age 59833 reports
Age 80818 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Levofloxacin can interact with various drugs, leading to increased toxicity or reduced efficacy. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Levofloxacin, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, drug ineffective, dyspnoea, pneumonia, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially kidney or liver disease. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors levofloxacin safety. Healthcare providers should follow guidelines and consider alternative antibiotics for patients with a history of adverse reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Levofloxacin?

The FDA has received approximately 112,219 adverse event reports associated with Levofloxacin. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Levofloxacin?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Levofloxacin include Off Label Use, Drug Ineffective, Dyspnoea, Pneumonia, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (3,120 reports), Drug Ineffective (2,964 reports), Dyspnoea (2,947 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Levofloxacin.

What percentage of Levofloxacin adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 58,022 classified reports, 51,134 (88.1%) were classified as serious and 6,888 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Levofloxacin (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Levofloxacin break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 26,292, Male: 24,963, Unknown: 227. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Levofloxacin?

The most frequently reported age groups for Levofloxacin adverse events are: age 77: 1,281 reports, age 65: 1,201 reports, age 67: 1,069 reports, age 72: 1,041 reports, age 60: 1,029 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Levofloxacin?

The primary manufacturer associated with Levofloxacin adverse event reports is Ani Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Levofloxacin?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Levofloxacin include: Pyrexia, Fatigue, Acute Kidney Injury, Diarrhoea, Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Levofloxacin?

You can report adverse events from Levofloxacin to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Levofloxacin's safety score and what does it mean?

Levofloxacin has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Levofloxacin reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events (88.1%).

What are the key safety signals for Levofloxacin?

Key safety signals identified in Levofloxacin's adverse event data include: Acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease are significant safety signals.. Respiratory failure and pneumonia are critical adverse events.. Drug hypersensitivity and tendon disorders are also key safety signals.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Levofloxacin interact with other drugs?

Levofloxacin can interact with various drugs, leading to increased toxicity or reduced efficacy. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Levofloxacin.

What should patients know before taking Levofloxacin?

Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially kidney or liver disease. Report any unusual symptoms to your doctor immediately.

Are Levofloxacin side effects well-documented?

Levofloxacin has 112,219 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include kidney injury, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The volume of reports for Levofloxacin reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Levofloxacin?

The FDA closely monitors levofloxacin safety. Healthcare providers should follow guidelines and consider alternative antibiotics for patients with a history of adverse reactions. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to LEVOFLOXACIN based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AmoxicillinMetronidazoleCiprofloxacin
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.