Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

10 March 2018 : Case report  USA

A Case of Levofloxacin-Induced Hepatotoxicity

Unusual clinical course, Unusual or unexpected effect of treatment, Adverse events of drug therapy

Michael Schloss1ABCDEF, Daniel Becak1E, Sebastian T. Tosto2AE, Arash Velayati2AE*

DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.907440

Am J Case Rep 2018; 19:272-276

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Levofloxacin covers a broad spectrum of pathogens and is readily prescribed by clinicians. Hepatotoxicity is a known but unusual complication of levofloxacin use. Here, we present a case of severe transaminitis caused by levofloxacin.

CASE REPORT: A young man in his thirties with a history of asthma, chronic alcoholism, methamphetamine intravenous drug abuse (IVDA), and non-compliant insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) presented to an emergency department with suicidal ideation. Vital signs were stable and the patient was noted to have cellulitis of the right forearm, for which cultures were drawn, and he received IV clindamycin. He was admitted to behavioral medicine for further care. Blood cultures were positive for gram-negative rods and he was transferred to the medicine ward. Cultures eventually grew Brevundimonas diminuta. Clindamycin was discontinued and he was started on levofloxacin. Transaminase levels measured soon after levofloxacin administration showed aminotransferase levels raised to approximately 50 times baseline within a few days. Levofloxacin was discontinued due to concern about drug-induced hepatotoxicity. After discontinuation, transaminase levels decreased immediately. Work-up for other causes of transaminitis revealed no other etiology.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should remain mindful that levofloxacin can induce hepatotoxicity in rare cases. In patients presenting with acute liver injury who have recently taken levofloxacin, it would be wise to remain cognizant of the possibility of levofloxacin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: drug-induced liver injury, Fluoroquinolones, Liver Failure, Acute

Add Comment 0 Comments

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923