Levofloxacin

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(Redirected from Levaquin)

Image:Levofloxacin.png Levofloxacin
(-)-(S)-9-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-3-methyl- 10-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-7-oxo- 7H-pyrido(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid
CAS number 100986-85-4	ATC code J01MA12, S01AX19
Chemical formula	C₁₈H₂₀FN₃O₄
Molecular weight	361.371
Bioavailability	100%
Metabolism	slightly
Elimination half-life	6-8 hrs
Excretion	Urine (> 85%)
Pregnancy category	not to be used
Legal status	?
Routes of administration	oral and iv

Levofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, marketed by Ortho-McNeil under the trade name Levaquin. Chemically, levofloxacin is the S-enantiomer (L-isomer) of ofloxacin.

Levofloxacin is effective against a number of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Because of its broad spectrum of action, levofloxacin is frequently prescribed empirically for a wide range of infections (e.g. pneumonia, urinary tract infection) before the specific causal organism is known. If the causal organism is identified, levofloxacin may be discontinued and the patient may be switched to an antibiotic with a narrower spectrum of activity.

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Gram-positive bacteria

Enterococcus faecalis (many strains are only moderately susceptible)
Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-susceptible strains)
Staphylococcus epidermidis (methicillin-susceptible strains)
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Streptococcus pneumoniae (including penicillin-resistant strains*)
Streptococcus pyogenes

Levofloxacin only has moderate Gram-positive coverage; beta-lactams (e.g. ceftriaxone) or glycopeptides (e.g. vancomycin) are generally preferred for this indication.

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