Drug interactions
Isotretinoin + Levofloxacin
Severity: Minor
Isotretinoin and Levofloxacin: minor 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
Both drugs can cause photosensitivity, so combined use may increase the risk of sunburn-like skin reactions after UV exposure. Levofloxacin has relatively low phototoxic potential among quinolones. Isotretinoin also carries a rare association with tendon or musculoskeletal effects and intracranial hypertension, though this is not a proven additive risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isotretinoin and Levofloxacin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Isotretinoin belongs to Dermatology; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive phototoxic effects of both drugs on the skin.
What to do
Advise strict sun protection with broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing during treatment. Stop levofloxacin if a phototoxic reaction develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Isotretinoin and Levofloxacin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Isotretinoin
- Demeclocycline + Isotretinoin Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Minocycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Palovarotene Contraindicated
- Aminolevulinic acid + Isotretinoin Major
- Doxycycline + Isotretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isotretinoin with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Isotretinoin and Levofloxacin have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both drugs can cause photosensitivity, so combined use may increase the risk of sunburn-like skin reactions after UV exposure. Levofloxacin has relatively low phototoxic potential among quinolones. Isotretinoin also carries a rare association with tendon or musculoskeletal effects and intracranial hypertension, though this is not a proven additive risk.
How serious is the interaction between Isotretinoin and Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise strict sun protection with broad-spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing during treatment. Stop levofloxacin if a phototoxic reaction develops.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
