From the Guidelines
Yes, there is a relationship between Levofloxacin and seizures, as it is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that can cause neurotoxicity, including seizures, as a potential side effect 1.
Key Points
- Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that can cause neurotoxicity, including seizures, as a potential side effect 1.
- The risk of seizures is more common with certain fluoroquinolones, and levofloxacin is one of the agents that can cause this side effect 1.
- The exact mechanism of levofloxacin-induced seizures is not fully understood, but it is thought to be related to the drug's ability to penetrate the central nervous system and affect neurotransmitter activity 1.
- Patients taking levofloxacin should be monitored for signs of neurotoxicity, including seizures, and the drug should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorders or other risk factors for seizures 1.
Important Considerations
- Levofloxacin is generally considered safe and effective for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and other infections, but the risk of seizures and other neurotoxicity side effects should be carefully considered in certain patient populations 1.
- The benefits of using levofloxacin for CAP and other infections should be weighed against the potential risks, and alternative antibiotics should be considered in patients with a history of seizure disorders or other risk factors for seizures 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Central Nervous System Effects. Seizures have been reported in people who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics including levofloxacin tablets Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of seizures. Ask your healthcare provider whether taking levofloxacin tablets will change your risk of having a seizure. As with other fluoroquinolones, levofloxacin should be used with caution in patients with a known or suspected central nervous system (CNS) disorder that may predispose them to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (e.g., severe cerebral arteriosclerosis, epilepsy) or in the presence of other risk factors that may predispose them to seizures or lower the seizure threshold (e.g., certain drug therapy, renal dysfunction)
Yes, there is a relationship between Levofloxacin and seizures. Seizures have been reported in people taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including levofloxacin tablets. Patients with a history of seizures or CNS disorders should use levofloxacin with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare provider 2, 2.
From the Research
Relationship Between Levofloxacin and Seizures
- There have been reports of seizures associated with levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, as seen in studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- A retrospective observational study found that the incidence of levofloxacin-associated seizures among hospitalized patients is low, with an incidence of 1:5422 treatment days 3.
- Case reports have described patients experiencing seizures after taking levofloxacin, with some cases involving rapidly progressive cognitive impairment 4 or toxic epidermal necrolysis 7.
- Risk factors for levofloxacin-induced seizures may include seizure history, electrolyte imbalances, dose unadjusted for renal insufficiency, and concomitant treatment with agents that lower the seizure threshold 5.
- Drug-drug interactions related to the inhibition of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 by levofloxacin may also be involved in the clinical outcome of levofloxacin-induced seizures 6.
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for levofloxacin to induce seizures, particularly in patients with a history of seizure disorders or those taking medications with epileptogenic properties 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.