Skip to content

Drug interactions

Ketoconazole + Levofloxacin

Severity: Moderate

Ketoconazole 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

Both drugs have been associated with QT prolongation, so combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. The overall risk is greatest in patients with other QT risk factors.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ketoconazole 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.

Ketoconazole belongs to Anti Fungals; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive blockade of cardiac potassium channels prolonging ventricular repolarization.

What to do

Obtain a baseline ECG in at-risk patients, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc. Consider alternatives if other QT-prolonging drugs are present.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Ketoconazole 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Ketoconazole with Levofloxacin?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ketoconazole 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. Both drugs have been associated with QT prolongation, so combined use may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. The overall risk is greatest in patients with other QT risk factors.

How serious is the interaction between Ketoconazole 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: Obtain a baseline ECG in at-risk patients, correct potassium and magnesium, and monitor the QTc. Consider alternatives if other QT-prolonging drugs are present.

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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in