Xenleta vs. Levaquin

Xenleta (lefamulin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) are antibiotics used to treat different types of bacterial infections.

Xenleta is used to treat adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) caused by susceptible microorganisms.

Xenleta and Levaquin are different types of antibiotics. Xenleta is a pleuromutilin antibacterial and Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Side effects of Xenleta and Levaquin that are similar include difficulty sleeping (insomnia), headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Side effects of Xenleta that are different from Levaquin include injection site reactions, elevated liver enzymes, and low blood potassium.

Side effects of Levaquin that are different from Xenleta include constipation, dizziness, abdominal pain, rash, abdominal gas, itching, vaginal itching or discharge, and tendinitis and tendon rupture.

Both Xenleta and Levaquin may interact with antidepressants and medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Xenleta may also interact with strong CYP3A4 inducers or P-gp inducers, strong CYP3A inhibitors or P-gp inhibitors, alprazolam, diltiazem, verapamil, simvastatin, vardenafil, antiarrhythmics, erythromycin, moxifloxacin.

Levaquin may also interact with antacids that contain magnesium or aluminum, sucralfate, didanosine, vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron or zinc, blood thinners, insulin or oral diabetes medications, theophylline, antibiotics, anti-malaria medications, medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, migraine headache medicines, narcotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids.

Common side effects of Xenleta include:

• injection site reactions,
• elevated liver enzymes,
• nausea,
• low blood potassium,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• diarrhea,
• nausea, and
• vomiting

Common side effects of Levaquin include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• headache,
• constipation,
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia),
• dizziness,
• abdominal pain,
• rash,
• abdominal gas,
• itching, and
• vaginal itching or discharge.

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.

Xenleta (lefamulin) is a pleuromutilin antibacterial indicated for the treatment of adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) caused by susceptible microorganisms.

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:

• nosocomial pneumonia
• community-acquired pneumonia
• acute sinus infection
• acute worsening of chronic bronchitis
• skin infections, complicated and uncomplicated
• chronic prostate infection
• urinary tract infections, complicated and uncomplicated
• acute kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• inhalational anthrax
• plague

Xenleta may interact with strong CYP3A4 inducers or P-gp inducers, strong CYP3A inhibitors or P-gp inhibitors, alprazolam, diltiazem, verapamil, simvastatin, vardenafil, antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics, erythromycin, moxifloxacin, and tricyclic antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Xenleta is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment with Xenleta and for 2 days after the final dose. It is unknown if Xenleta passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for adverse reactions in nursing infants, breastfeeding is not recommended while using Xenleta. Women should pump and discard breast milk for the duration of treatment with Xenleta and for 2 days after the final dose.

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.

The recommended dosage of Xenleta is 150 mg every 12 hours by intravenous infusion over 60 minutes for 5 to 7 days or 600 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 days.

• 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.