What Is Levofloxacin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Levofloxacin is one of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States — and one of the most important. If you or someone you know has been prescribed levofloxacin, this guide answers the most common questions: what it treats, how it works, how it's taken, how much it costs, and what to watch out for.

What Is Levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolone drug class. It is the left-handed isomer of ofloxacin (another fluoroquinolone) and was originally sold under the brand name Levaquin. The brand-name Levaquin has since been discontinued, and levofloxacin is now available only as a generic in the United States.

Levofloxacin received FDA approval in 1996 and is included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines — a designation for drugs considered critically important to global healthcare. It works against a wide range of bacteria, including both gram-positive and gram-negative strains, and has excellent tissue penetration.

What Does Levofloxacin Treat?

Levofloxacin is FDA-approved to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections:

• Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) — including infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae
• Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) pneumonia
• Acute bacterial sinusitis — particularly when first-line antibiotics have failed
• Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (ABECB)
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) — both uncomplicated and complicated
• Acute pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Skin and skin structure infections
• Anthrax — prophylaxis and treatment of inhalational anthrax
• Plague (Yersinia pestis) — treatment and prevention

Off-label uses include H. pylori eradication (in combination with other drugs), Legionnaires' disease, tuberculosis (in multi-drug regimens), pelvic inflammatory disease, and more.

What Forms and Strengths Does Levofloxacin Come In?

Levofloxacin is available in several forms:

• Oral tablets: 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg — most common form for outpatient treatment
• Oral solution: 25 mg/mL — useful for patients who cannot swallow tablets
• IV solution: 250 mg/50 mL, 500 mg/100 mL, 750 mg/150 mL premixed bags — for hospitalized patients
• Ophthalmic solution: 0.5% eye drops — for bacterial conjunctivitis

What Is the Typical Dosage for Levofloxacin?

Levofloxacin is dosed once daily in adults. Typical doses range from 250 mg to 750 mg depending on the infection being treated:

• Community-acquired pneumonia: 500 mg once daily x 7-14 days, OR 750 mg once daily x 5 days
• Acute bacterial sinusitis: 500 mg once daily x 10-14 days, OR 750 mg once daily x 5 days
• Complicated UTI/pyelonephritis: 250 mg once daily x 10 days, OR 750 mg once daily x 5 days
• Prostatitis: 500 mg once daily x 28 days
• Skin and skin structure infections: 500 mg once daily x 7-10 days, OR 750 mg once daily x 5 days
• Anthrax prophylaxis: 500 mg once daily x 60 days

Kidney impairment requires dose adjustment — always follow your prescriber's specific instructions.

How Should Levofloxacin Be Taken?

• Tablets can be taken with or without food
• Oral solution should be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals
• Take at the same time every day to maintain consistent blood levels
• Drink a full glass of water with each dose, plus several additional glasses per day
• Separate from antacids (Mg/Al), iron, zinc, calcium, and sucralfate by at least 2 hours — these bind to levofloxacin and prevent absorption
• Complete the full prescribed course, even if you feel better early — stopping too soon can lead to treatment failure and antibiotic resistance

How Much Does Levofloxacin Cost?

Generic levofloxacin costs $15-$80 for a standard course without insurance at most pharmacies. With a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, the price can be as low as $8-$10 for a 7-10 day course at participating pharmacies. Most insurance plans cover it as a Tier 1 or 2 generic. For a full breakdown of savings options, see our guide on how to save money on levofloxacin in 2026.