L-Stafloxin Drug Interactions

Effect of other medicinal products on levofloxacin: Iron salts, zinc salts, magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids, didanosine: Levofloxacin absorption is significantly reduced when iron salts, or magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids, or didanosine (only didanosine formulations with aluminium or magnesium containing buffering agents) are administered concomitantly with levofloxacin. Concurrent administration of fluoroquinolones with multi-vitamins containing zinc appears to reduce their oral absorption. It is recommended that preparations containing divalent or trivalent cations such as iron salts, zinc salts or magnesium- or aluminium-containing antacids, or didanosine (only didanosine formulations with aluminium or magnesium containing buffering agents) should not be taken 2 hours before or after levofloxacin administration. Calcium salts have a minimal effect on the oral absorption of levofloxacin.
Sucralfate: The bioavailability of levofloxacin is significantly reduced when administered together with sucralfate. If the patient is to receive both sucralfate and levofloxacin, it is best to administer sucralfate 2 hours after the levofloxacin administration.
Theophylline, fenbufen or similar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A pronounced lowering of the cerebral seizure threshold may occur when quinolones are given concurrently with theophylline, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or other agents which lower the seizure threshold.
Levofloxacin concentrations were about 13% higher in the presence of fenbufen than when administered alone.
Probenecid and cimetidine: Probenecid and cimetidine had a statistically significant effect on the elimination of levofloxacin. The renal clearance of levofloxacin was reduced by cimetidine and probenecid.
Caution should be exercised when levofloxacin is co-administered with drugs that affect the tubular renal secretion such as probenecid and cimetidine, especially in renally impaired patients.
Effect of levofloxacin on other medicinal products: Ciclosporin: The half-life of ciclosporin was increased by 33% when co-administered with levofloxacin.
Vitamin K antagonists: Increased coagulation tests (PT/INR) and/or bleeding, which may be severe, have been reported in patients treated with levofloxacin in combination with a vitamin K antagonist (e.g. warfarin). Coagulation tests, therefore, should be monitored in patients treated with vitamin K antagonists.
Drugs known to prolong QT interval: Levofloxacin, like other fluoroquinolones, should be used with caution in patients receiving drugs known to prolong the QT interval (e.g. Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, tricyclic antidepressants, macrolides, antipsychotics).
Food: There is no clinically relevant interaction with food. Levofloxacin may therefore be administered regardless of food intake.