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Levaquin vs. Keflex

Are Levaquin and Keflex the Same Thing?

Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Keflex (cephalexin) are antibiotics used to treat several types of bacterial infections.

Keflex is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis.

Levaquin and Keflex belong to different antibiotic drug classes. Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic and Keflex is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Levaquin?

Common side effects of Levaquin include:

Levaquin has been associated with tendinitis and tendon rupture. Levaquin can alter the normal bacteria in the colon and cause pseudomembranous colitis. Patients taking Levaquin can develop photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight) and patients may sunburn more easily.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Keflex?

Common side effects of Keflex include:

  • diarrhea,
  • dizziness,
  • tiredness,
  • headache,
  • stomach upset,
  • abdominal pain,
  • joint pain,
  • vaginal itching or discharge,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • itching,
  • swelling, and
  • rash.

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic medicine used in adults age 18 years or older to treat certain infections caused by certain germs called bacteria. These bacterial infections include:

What is Keflex?

Keflex (cephalexin) is a cephalosporin antibiotic prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Keflex is also used before dental procedures in patients identified with certain heart-related conditions to prevent bacterial infections of the heart known as endocarditis. Keflex is available as a generic drug.

What Drugs Interact With Levaquin?

Levaquin may interact with blood thinners, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, migraine headache medicines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, or narcotics.

Levaquin may also interact with antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, didanosine, vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc, insulin or oral diabetes medications, or theophylline.

What Drugs Interact With Keflex?

Keflex may interact with blood thinners or oral diabetes medications.

Keflex may also interact with probenecid.

How Should Levaquin Be Taken?

  • Take Levaquin exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
  • Take Levaquin at about the same time each day.
  • Drink plenty of fluids while you take Levaquin.
  • Take Levaquin Oral Solution 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
  • If you miss a dose of Levaquin, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than 1 dose in 1 day.
  • Do not skip any doses of Levaquin or stop taking it, even if you begin to feel better, until you finish your prescribed treatment unless:
    • you have tendon problems. See “What is the most important information I should know about Levaquin?”.
    • you have a serious allergic reaction. See “What are the possible side effects of Levaquin?”.
    • your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking Levaquin
      Taking all of your Levaquin doses will help make sure that all of the bacteria are killed. Taking all of your Levaquin doses will help you lower the chance that the bacteria will become resistant to Levaquin. If your infection does not get better while you take Levaquin, it may mean that the bacteria causing your infection may be resistant to Levaquin. If your infection does not get better, call your healthcare provider. If your infection does not get better, Levaquin and other similar antibiotic medicines may not work for you in the future.
  • If you take too much Levaquin, call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away.

How Should Keflex Be Taken?

Keflex dosage depends on the condition being treated. Keflex should be used with caution in patients who have kidney disease and those who report a history of penicillin allergy.

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