Compare Biaxin vs. Levaquin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats bacterial infections.
Biaxin (clarithromycin) is a good first-choice medicine to treat most common respiratory infections. Side-effects are common, but mild.
Treats bacterial infections.
Levaquin (levofloxacin) effectively treats different types of bacterial infections, but it is relatively more expensive than some of its alternatives.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 90 reviewsforLevaquin
Upsides
- Good first-choice treatment for respiratory infections.
- Compared to similar medicines, Biaxin (clarithromycin) is better tolerated.
- Available as an extended-release pill for convenient once daily dosing and as a liquid for trouble swallowing pills.
- Children as young as 6 months can use Biaxin (clarithromycin) safely and effectively.
- Available as a generic medicine.
- Liquid form of Levaquin (levofloxacin) is available for those with trouble swallowing.
- Treats a variety of bacterial infections.
- Take only once a day.
- Can take pill form with or without food.
Downsides
- Can cause changes in taste.
- Can cause abnormal heart rhythms.
- Biaxin (clarithromycin), can interact with other medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you are taking medicines for heart problems or gout.
- If you have kidney or liver problems, Biaxin (clarithromycin) might not be a good option.
- People with diabetes need to check their blood sugar levels regularly while taking Levaquin (levofloxacin).
- Can't take Levaquin (levofloxacin) at the same time as antacids or vitamins.
- Levaquin (levofloxacin) can increase your skin's sensitivity to sunlight and make you more likely to get a rash.
- Relatively more expensive compared to similar alternatives.
- Associated with serious and some potentially life-threatening side effects.
Used for
- Acute bronchitis
- Acute sinusitis
- Community acquired pneumonia
- Ear infections
- Treatment and prophylaxis of disseminated mycobacterial infections
- Ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection
- Anthrax
- Prevention of heart infection (endocarditis)
- Whooping cough
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Community acquired pneumonia
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Post-exposure inhalational anthrax
- Plague
- Urinary tract infection
- Acute kidney infection
- Acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis
- Acute bacterial sinus infection
- Chlamydia
- Traveler's diarrhea
- Tuberculosis
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Liquid
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$21.03
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$10.99
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Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
90 reviews so far
53%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
31%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Levaquin (levofloxacin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
7possible side effects
- Nausea12%
- Vomiting8%
- Abnormal changes in taste4%
- Abdominal pain3%
- Diarrhea3%
- Rash3%
- Headache2%
The Levaquin (levofloxacin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Serious allergic reaction
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- History of heart arrhythmias
- Drugs that cause prolonged QT interval
- Abnormal electrolytes
- Elderly
- Liver toxicity
- Serious drug interactions
- Severe diarrhea caused by bacteria
- Antibiotic use
- Birth defects
- Pregnancy
- Tendon rupture and inflammation
- People over age 60
- Taking steroid medicine
- Those with kidney, heart, or lung transplants
- Myasthenia gravis
- Those with a history of myasthenia gravis
- Diarrhea
- Nerve damage
- Changes in mood and behavior
- Those with a history of depression
- Effects on heartbeat
- Those with a history of heart rhythm problems
- Taking other medicines that also affect your heart rhythm
- Older people