Levofloxacin Dosing and Administration

Adult Dosing

The standard recommended dose for adults with ear infections is 500 mg once daily for 10 days, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1
Levofloxacin is available in tablet form and as an aqueous solution for intravenous injection, with oral and intravenous formulations being bioequivalent, as stated by the American Thoracic Society 2

Long-term use of levofloxacin in children and adolescents has not been approved due to concerns about effects on bone and cartilage growth, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 3
The drug should be considered for children with infections caused by resistant organisms, as suggested by the American Thoracic Society 2

Dosage adjustment is recommended for patients with renal impairment, with a creatinine clearance of less than 50 ml/minute, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3, 4
Levofloxacin is not cleared by hemodialysis, and supplemental doses after dialysis are not necessary, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
Drug levels are not affected by hepatic disease, and it can be used at standard doses in patients with liver disease, but with caution, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3

The most common adverse effects include gastrointestinal disturbances, neurologic effects, and cutaneous reactions, occurring in 0.5-1.8% of patients, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
Avoid use in pregnancy due to potential teratogenic effects, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
Antacids and other medications containing divalent cations markedly decrease absorption of fluoroquinolones, and levofloxacin should not be administered within 2 hours of such medications, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3
Monitor for potential adverse effects, particularly in children, as recommended by the American Thoracic Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2, 3