Levaquin and Fertility: What You Need to Know

Question
I recently finished a 10 day script for the antibiotic levaquin. After, doing some research I've learned it is a very harsh drug. Me and my husband were hoping to conceive our second child soon.  I was wondering if I needed to wait a specific time frame following the use of this antibiotic.

Answer
Dear Lisa,

Well, I don't know that I would consider it a "harsh" drug. It is a quite effective antibiotic. As to waiting to conceive a pregnancy, there should be no lingering effect from the Levaquin which would require you to wait to conceive a child.

Drugs are classified into risk categories for women who are pregnant. There are five categories - A,B,C,D, and X (from least to highest risk). Levaquin is a FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C drug. This means that there have been no adequate and well controlled studies done on pregnant women, but studies on animals show adverse effect and toxicity on fetus. Drugs in this category should be given only if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. With members of the fluoroquinolone family of meds specifically, data has shown malformations of cartilage formation, decreased fetal weight and increased fetal loss in higher doses. But keep in mind, this is for when a women is actually pregnant when the medication is taken, which essentially means that the fetus is taking the medication at the same time.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda