Drug interactions
Levofloxacin + Tretinoin
Severity: Moderate
Levofloxacin and Tretinoin: 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 photosensitivity and tretinoin makes skin more vulnerable to sunlight, so combined use may increase the chance of exaggerated sunburn-like reactions. The effect is mainly relevant with topical tretinoin on exposed skin and with oral tretinoin, which can also cause systemic effects.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levofloxacin and Tretinoin 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; Tretinoin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive photosensitizing effects on the skin (pharmacodynamic synergism).
What to do
Counsel the patient to avoid sun and tanning devices and to use sunscreen and protective clothing during and after therapy. Stop the offending agent if a phototoxic reaction develops.
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 Tretinoin
- Doxycycline + Tretinoin Major
- Minocycline + Tretinoin Major
- Omadacycline + Tretinoin Major
- Palovarotene + Tretinoin Major
- Sarecycline + Tretinoin Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levofloxacin with Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levofloxacin and Tretinoin 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 photosensitivity and tretinoin makes skin more vulnerable to sunlight, so combined use may increase the chance of exaggerated sunburn-like reactions. The effect is mainly relevant with topical tretinoin on exposed skin and with oral tretinoin, which can also cause systemic effects.
How serious is the interaction between Levofloxacin and Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Counsel the patient to avoid sun and tanning devices and to use sunscreen and protective clothing during and after therapy. Stop the offending agent 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.
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