From the Guidelines
Levofloxacin is available in both oral and injectable forms, with the oral form being commonly prescribed for outpatient treatments and the injectable form administered intravenously for more severe cases. The oral form comes as tablets or solution that can be taken by mouth, while the injectable form is used in hospital settings. For most outpatient treatments, the oral form is prescribed, with typical dosages ranging from 250-750 mg once daily depending on the type and severity of infection, as seen in the guidelines for treating acute uncomplicated cystitis and pyelonephritis in women 1. The oral form offers convenience for patients who don't require hospitalization, as it can be taken at home. The medication is well-absorbed when taken orally, with bioavailability of approximately 99%, meaning it reaches the bloodstream efficiently. Treatment duration typically ranges from 3-14 days depending on the condition being treated. Patients should take oral levofloxacin with plenty of water and can take it with or without food, though it may be better to avoid taking it with dairy products or mineral supplements which can reduce absorption.
- Key points to consider when prescribing levofloxacin include:
- The prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in the community, which may affect the choice of empirical therapy 1
- The severity of the infection, which may require hospitalization and intravenous administration of levofloxacin 1
- The patient's ability to take oral medications, which may affect the choice of formulation 1
- Potential interactions with other medications, such as dairy products or mineral supplements, which can reduce absorption 1. If you're prescribed levofloxacin, follow your healthcare provider's specific instructions regarding dosage and duration, as they will be tailored to your individual needs and the specific condition being treated.
From the FDA Drug Label
11 DESCRIPTION
Levofloxacin tablets are a synthetic broad-spectrum antibacterial agent for oral administration.
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.3 Pharmacokinetics The mean ± SD pharmacokinetic parameters of levofloxacin determined under single and steady- state conditions following oral tablet doses of levofloxacin are summarized in Table 10.
Absorption Levofloxacin is rapidly and essentially completely absorbed after oral administration.
- Levofloxacin administration: The drug is administered orally.
- Key points:
From the Research
Administration of Levofloxacin
- Levofloxacin can be administered orally, with oral levofloxacin being rapidly absorbed and bioequivalent to the intravenous formulation 3, 4.
- The bioavailability of oral levofloxacin approaches 100% and is little affected by the administration with food 5.
- Oral absorption is very rapid and complete, with little difference in the serum concentration-time profiles following 500mg oral or intravenous (infused over 60 minutes) doses 5.
Forms of Levofloxacin
- Levofloxacin is available in oral and intravenous formulations, allowing for sequential therapy and convenient transition between formulations 3, 4.
- Patients can be transitioned between oral and intravenous formulations when moving from the inpatient to the outpatient setting 4.
Pharmacokinetics of Levofloxacin
- The pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin are described by a linear 2-compartment open model with first-order elimination 5.
- Levofloxacin is widely distributed throughout the body, with a mean volume of distribution of 1.1 L/kg, and penetrates well into most body tissues and fluids 5.
- Approximately 80% of levofloxacin is eliminated as unchanged drug in the urine through glomerular filtration and tubular secretion; minimal metabolism occurs with the formation of no metabolites possessing relevant pharmacological activity 5.