MedPath

Levofloxacin

Generic Name
Levofloxacin
Brand Names
Levaquin, Quinsair
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C18H20FN3O4
CAS Number
100986-85-4
Unique Ingredient Identifier
RIX4E89Y14

Overview

Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and the optical S-(-) isomer of racemic ofloxacin. It reportedly carries 8 to 128-fold more activity against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria compared to R-(+)-ofloxacin and remains stereochemically stable following administration (i.e. it does not invert to the inactive isomer). Levofloxacin, along with other quinolones such as gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin, is a member of the third generation of fluoroquinolones, colloquially referred to as the "respiratory quinolones" due to improved activity against gram-positive bacteria commonly implicated in respiratory infections. Levofloxacin was first approved by the FDA in 1996, and was approved in Canada and several South American countries soon after.

Indication

In oral and intravenous formulations, levofloxacin is indicated in adults for the treatment of various infections caused by susceptible bacteria, including infections of the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, skin structures, urinary tract, and prostate. The oral formulation is also indicated in both adults and children 6 months of age and older for the post-exposure management of inhalational anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis and for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of plague caused by Yersinia pestis. In its ophthalmic formulation, levofloxacin is indicated for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by susceptible organisms. An inhalational solution available in Canada is indicated for the management of cystic fibrosis patients aged 18 years or older with chronic pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Associated Conditions

  • Abscesses caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Acute Bacterial Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis (ABECB) caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Acute Pyelonephritis caused by Infection Due to Escherichia Coli
  • Bacterial Conjunctivitis caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Cellulitis caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Furuncle caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Impetigo caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Inhalational Anthrax
  • Nosocomial Pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas Infections
  • Nosocomial Pneumonia caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Plague caused by Yersinia pestis
  • Pyoderma caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Wound Infections caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Acute bacterial sinusitis caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Chronic Bacterial prostatitis caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Chronic Pseudomonas Infections
  • Complicated Urinary Tract Infection caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Complicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection caused by susceptible bacteria
  • Uncomplicated skin and skin-structure infections caused by susceptible bacteria

Clinical Trials

Title
Posted
Study ID
Phase
Status
Sponsor
2025/06/27
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Rehman Medical Institute - RMI
2025/06/15
Phase 4
Not yet recruiting
Rehman Medical Institute - RMI
2025/04/08
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Amina Aslam
2025/03/05
Phase 2
Not yet recruiting
Copenhagen Respiratory Research
2025/01/28
Phase 2
Recruiting
Hayder Adnan Fawzi
2024/12/19
Phase 4
ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
2024/11/12
Phase 3
Completed
Federico II University
2024/10/21
Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
2024/10/21
Phase 3
Recruiting
2024/09/27
Phase 2
Completed

FDA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Manufacturer
NDC Code
Route
Strength
Effective Date
Zydus Lifesciences Limited
65841-693
ORAL
750 mg in 1 1
10/4/2023
Denton Pharma, Inc. DBA Northwind Pharmaceuticals
70934-337
ORAL
750 mg in 1 1
9/14/2020
Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
31722-723
ORAL
750 mg in 1 1
1/20/2024
Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited
33342-531
ORAL
250 mg in 1 1
1/6/2023
Redpharm Drug
67296-2126
ORAL
500 mg in 1 1
6/10/2025
Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLC
80425-0077
ORAL
750 mg in 1 1
11/10/2022
Aidarex Pharmaceuticals LLC
33261-793
ORAL
500 mg in 1 1
1/8/2014
ATLANTIC BIOLOGICALS CORP.
17856-0286
ORAL
25 mg in 1 mL
11/30/2018
AuroMedics Pharma LLC
55150-156
INTRAVENOUS
500 mg in 20 mL
11/10/2021
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.
68071-4726
ORAL
250 mg in 1 1
2/17/2021

EMA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Authorization Holder
Status
Issued Date
Authorised
3/25/2015

HSA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Manufacturer
Approval Number
Dosage Form
Strength
Approval Date
AVATAC FILM COATED TABLET 500 MG
SIN15341P
TABLET, FILM COATED
500mg
10/13/2017
LEVOFLOXACIN MEVON FILM-COATED TABLET 500 MG
SIN16099P
TABLET, FILM COATED
500 mg
2/4/2021
CRAVIT OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION 0.5% w/v
SIN11826P
SOLUTION
0.5% w/v
2/28/2002
VOLEQUIN INFUSION 5MG/ML
SIN15605P
INFUSION, SOLUTION
5mg/ml
1/3/2019
LUFI-500 TABLET 500mg
SIN14808P
TABLET, FILM COATED
500mg
7/15/2015
CRAVIT TABLET 250 mg
SIN11633P
TABLET, FILM COATED
250 mg
8/16/2001
CRAVIT I.V. For Infusion 5mg/ml
SIN11883P
INJECTION
5mg/ml
4/22/2002
LEFLOXCIN FILM-COATED TABLET 500 mg
SIN15180P
TABLET, FILM COATED
500mg
2/27/2017
LEVORES SOLUTION FOR INFUSION 5MG/ML
SIN16966P
INFUSION, SOLUTION
5mg/ml
3/4/2024
CRAVIT OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION 1.5% w/v
SIN15047P
SOLUTION, STERILE
15mg/ml
7/18/2016

NMPA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
Company
Approval Number
Drug Type
Dosage Form
Approval Date
Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Cream
国药准字H20040159
化学药品
乳膏剂
6/21/2024
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20045589
化学药品
注射剂
7/9/2021
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20093630
化学药品
注射剂
11/30/2023
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20054052
化学药品
注射剂
1/31/2023
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20010538
化学药品
注射剂
9/28/2020
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20054044
化学药品
注射剂
7/17/2022
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20053306
化学药品
注射剂
7/29/2024
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20044455
化学药品
注射剂
12/7/2020
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20053804
化学药品
注射剂
4/10/2020
Levofloxacin Lactate Injection
国药准字H20093631
化学药品
注射剂
11/30/2023

TGA Drug Approvals

Approved Product
ARTG ID
Sponsor
Registration Type
Status
Registration Date
No TGA approvals found for this drug.

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