Drug interactions
Levofloxacin + Metformin
Severity: Moderate
Levofloxacin and Metformin: 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 cause dysglycemia, with both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia reported in diabetic patients. Metformin alone rarely causes hypoglycemia, but glucose control may still be disturbed during levofloxacin therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levofloxacin and Metformin 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.
Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Fluoroquinolone effects on pancreatic insulin secretion alter glucose homeostasis, which may be additive with antidiabetic therapy.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose during the antibiotic course and counsel the patient on symptoms of low and high glucose. Adjust antidiabetic therapy if control changes.
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 Metformin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levofloxacin with Metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levofloxacin and Metformin 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 cause dysglycemia, with both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia reported in diabetic patients. Metformin alone rarely causes hypoglycemia, but glucose control may still be disturbed during levofloxacin therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Levofloxacin and Metformin?
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 during the antibiotic course and counsel the patient on symptoms of low and high glucose. Adjust antidiabetic therapy if control changes.
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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