Emery Haley, PhD, Scientific Writing Specialist
Levofloxacin
Find the Latest FDA-Approved Labelling Information Here: Drugs@FDA Online Database
Administrative Routes
Oral (PO) or Parenteral [intravenous infusion (IV)]
Other Names
Levaquin
Bacteriostatic or Bactericidal
Bactericidal [1]
Antibiotic Class
Fluoroquinolone
Mechanisms of Action
The drug inhibits bacterial DNA topoisomerase IV and DNA-gyrase enzymes, preventing bacterial DNA replication and repair. The bacterial cells accumulate DNA damage which eventually causes bacterial cell death.
WHO AWaRe Classification
Watch [2]
Empiric Use Recommendations
Yes* (preferred for complicated UTI with or without sepsis) [Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)] [3]
*Avoid if used by the patient in the previous 12 months.
Indication(s) Relevant to UTI
On label for uncomplicated UTIs caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Staphylococcus saprophyticus (part of the Coagulase-negative Staphylococci group).
On label for complicated UTIs caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, or Enterobacter cloacae (part of the Enterobacter group).
On label for acute pyelonephritis (including cases with concurrent bacteremia) caused by Escherichia coli.
Checkmarks
CLSI and/or FDA documents support the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organisms from the Guidance® UTI test: Acinetobacter baumannii, Citrobacter freundii, Citrobacter koseri, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter Group Organisms, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycoplasma hominis, Morganella morganii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Serratia marcescens, Streptococcus agalactiae, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Viridans Group Streptococci.
Published primary literature supports the efficacy of this antibiotic against the following organism from the Guidance® UTI test: Actinotignum schaalii [4]