Levaquin® (
levofloxacin) is a prescription medicine approved for the treatment of various types of bacterial infections. It can also be used to prevent infection in people exposed to inhaled
anthrax. As with any medication, side effects are possible with Levaquin.
Diarrhea was reported as one of the most common side effects of the drug, occurring in up to 5 percent of people taking it.
In most cases, side effects of Levaquin are minor and either do not require medical attention or can be treated easily, and most cases of diarrhea do not need to be reported to your healthcare provider.
However, you should seek medical attention right away if you are taking Levaquin and experience bloody or watery diarrhea. It could be a sign of a serious reaction to the medication that can occur when certain bacteria overgrow in the
colon. This severe reaction can occur long after you stop taking Levaquin and can be life-threatening.
(Click Levaquin Side Effects for more information about the risk of developing diarrhea with Levaquin, to find out what other side effects may occur, and for a more complete list of potentially serious problems that require immediate medical attention.)
