Drug interactions
Levofloxacin + Prednisolone
Severity: Major
Levofloxacin and Prednisolone: major 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 carry a risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, and concurrent systemic corticosteroids increase this risk substantially. The Achilles tendon is most often affected, and risk is higher in older patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levofloxacin and Prednisolone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive tendon toxicity; both drugs impair collagen turnover and tenocyte function.
What to do
Avoid the combination when an alternative antibiotic is suitable, especially in patients over 60. If used, counsel patients to stop and report tendon pain or swelling immediately.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Other interactions of Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levofloxacin with Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Levofloxacin and Prednisolone can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Fluoroquinolones carry a risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture, and concurrent systemic corticosteroids increase this risk substantially. The Achilles tendon is most often affected, and risk is higher in older patients.
How serious is the interaction between Levofloxacin and Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination when an alternative antibiotic is suitable, especially in patients over 60. If used, counsel patients to stop and report tendon pain or swelling immediately.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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