Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026

High Throughput, Real-time, Dual-readout Testing of Intracellular Antimicrobial Activity and Eukaryotic Cell Cytotoxicity
Published on: November 16, 2016
Levofloxacin-induced hepatotoxicity and death
Muge Gulen1, Mehmet Oguzhan Ay, Akkan Avci
11Emergency Medicine Service, Eskisehir Yunus Emre State Hospital, Eskisehir, Turkey; 2Department of Emergency Medicine, Adana Numune Education and Research Hospital, Adana, Turkey; 3Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey; and 4Department of Emergency Medicine, Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
A rare case of fatal toxic hepatitis and multiple organ failure caused by levofloxacin is presented. This drug-induced liver injury highlights the potential severity of adverse reactions to common antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Drug-induced hepatotoxicity is a significant cause of acute liver failure.
- Levofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is widely used for bacterial infections.
Observation:
- A 53-year-old female developed toxic hepatitis and multiple organ failure after a single dose of levofloxacin.
- Symptoms included rash, desquamation, abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice, progressing to cardiopulmonary arrest.
Findings:
- The patient experienced severe liver injury and organ failure secondary to levofloxacin exposure.
- Hepatotoxicity and mortality associated with levofloxacin are infrequently reported in medical literature.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of vigilance for rare but severe adverse drug reactions.
- Clinicians should consider drug-induced liver injury in patients presenting with acute liver failure, even with uncommon causative agents.
Related Concept Videos
Inhibitors of Bacterial DNA Synthesis
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Drug Toxicity: Overview
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Drug toxicity: Drug–Drug Interaction

