Compare Sirturo vs. Levaquin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Used to treat active tuberculosis when other medications cannot be used.
Sirturo (bedaquiline) is a great addition to tuberculosis regimens but only if your tuberculosis can't be treated with all of the typical tuberculosis drugs.
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
- Sirturo (bedaquiline) is the first drug with a new method of treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis to be developed in over 40 years.
- After two weeks of taking Sirturo (bedaquiline) each day, you will only need to take it three times a week for the rest of your therapy.
- 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
- Sirturo (bedaquiline) should not be taken alone to treat your tuberculosis. You must take it with at least 3 other medications.
- It is recommended you take Sirturo (bedaquiline) by directly observed therapy or in front of a health worker.
- Like other tuberculosis drugs, Sirturo (bedaquiline) has to be given for several months in order for it work properly (usually 6 months).
- A study found an increased risk of death with Sirturo (bedaquiline). You can only take it when the standard tuberculosis treament is not enough to treat you of tuberculosis.
- Sirturo (bedaquiline) cannot be used for latent (or non-active) tuberculosis or for tuberculosis that has spread outside the lungs.
- 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
- Pulmonary tuberculosis
- 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
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$3810.67
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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
9possible side effects
- Nausea38%
- Joint pain33%
- Headache28%
- Coughing up blood18%
- Chest pain11%
- Loss of appetite9%
- Abnormal liver labs9%
- Rash8%
- Pancreatitis3%
The Levaquin (levofloxacin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Increased risk of death
- Heart rhythm problems
- Use with other QT prolonging drugs
- History of heart disease
- Liver damage
- History of liver damage
- Alcohol intake
- Use with other drugs that are harmful to the liver
- 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