Drug interactions
Insulin glargine + Levofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin glargine and Levofloxacin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Fluoroquinolones can disturb glucose regulation, causing either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in people treated with insulin. Severe and occasionally prolonged hypoglycemia has been reported, particularly in older adults and those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin glargine and Levofloxacin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Insulin glargine belongs to Endocrine; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Fluoroquinolones may alter pancreatic beta-cell insulin release via potassium channel effects, adding to or opposing the glucose-lowering action of exogenous insulin.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely during and shortly after the levofloxacin course and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms, and consider a non-fluoroquinolone antibiotic if glucose becomes unstable.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
Other interactions of Insulin glargine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin glargine with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin glargine and Levofloxacin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Fluoroquinolones can disturb glucose regulation, causing either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in people treated with insulin. Severe and occasionally prolonged hypoglycemia has been reported, particularly in older adults and those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin glargine and Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose closely during and shortly after the levofloxacin course and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Educate the patient on hypoglycemia symptoms, and consider a non-fluoroquinolone antibiotic if glucose becomes unstable.
What other medicines interact with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levofloxacin with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Levofloxacin page.
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