Acute bilateral leg edema due to levofloxacin.

Dear Editor,

Levofloxacin is a new antibiotic that is widely used at present.[12] The drug can effectively penetrate into tissues and fluids and widespread after administration.[12] An important consideration is the adverse effect of levofloxacin. Here, the authors present the experience of a case of an old woman, 64-year-old, who complained with the problem of acute bilateral leg edema after 3 days intake of levofloxacin for management of complicated urinary tract infection. On physical examination, the patient posed swelling feet and thighs. No other skin lesions and problems could be observed. Her blood examination results showed no abnormality of renal and liver function. The physician in charge suspected for the possible adverse effect of levofloxacin and withdrawn the drug. The patient slowly got spontaneous resolution of the leg edema problem within 5 days. In fact, bilateral leg edema is an important uncommon adverse effect of levofloxacin.[3] For diagnosis, Hyman and Cohen noted that “timing” and “resolution” of edema with respect to the administration and termination of levofloxacin was the main clinical clue.[3] In general practice, there are many drugs that can be relating to leg edema (like amlodipine).[4] Stasis is believed to be the main pathomechanism.[4] The practitioner should keep in mind that levofloxacin is another uncommon drug that might induce leg edema.