Compare Keflex vs. Levaquin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats bacterial infections.
Keflex (cephalexin) is good for treating many bacterial infections, and is available as a generic.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 686 reviewsforKeflex
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
- Available in generic.
- Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and suspension.
- Used to treat many types of bacterial infections.
- Can be taken with or without food.
- Generally few side effects compared with other antibiotics.
- 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 diarrhea.
- You may need to take Keflex (cephalexin) 2 to 4 times a day, which can be hard to remember.
- If you're allergic to penicillins or other antibiotics, you might not be able to take this medicine.
- 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
- Bone infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Ear infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Skin infection
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Prevention of endocarditis
- Prevention of infection in people with prosthetic joint implants undergoing dental procedure
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Surgical site infection
- 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
- Liquid
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$8.91
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$5.89
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Reviews
686 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
14%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Keflex (cephalexin)?
Leave a review90 reviews so far
53%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
31%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Levaquin (levofloxacin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Keflex (cephalexin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Levaquin (levofloxacin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Diarrhea
- New infections while taking Keflex (cephalexin)
- Weakened immune system
- Not taking Keflex (cephalexin) correctly
- Allergic reaction
- History of penicillin or cephalosporin allergies
- 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