Levonorgestrel vs Ciprofloxacin: side-by-side comparison
Levonorgestrel (Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception)) and Ciprofloxacin (Fluoroquinolone antibiotic) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Levonorgestrel | Ciprofloxacin |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | Synthetic progestin (emergency contraception) | Fluoroquinolone antibiotic |
| CAS | 797-63-7 | 85721-33-1 |
| ATC | G03AC03 | J01MA02 |
| Molecular weight | 312.5 g/mol | 331.34 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 1 | 1 |
What they share
Levonorgestrel and Ciprofloxacin share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Levonorgestrel acts by a different mechanism than Ciprofloxacin, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Levonorgestrel: En contraception d'urgence, le lévonorgestrel agit principalement en retardant ou en inhibant l'ovulation lorsqu'il est pris avant le pic de LH. Ciprofloxacin: La ciprofloxacine inhibe l'ADN gyrase bactérienne (topo-isomérase II) et la topo-isomérase IV, enzymes indispensables à la réplication, à la transcription et à la réparation de l'ADN.
Indications compared
Levonorgestrel: Le lévonorgestrel est autorisé en contraception d'urgence (dose unique de 1,5 mg), en contraception orale régulière (associé à l'éthinylestradiol ou en progestatif seul), et comme principe actif des dispositifs intra-uté… Ciprofloxacin: La ciprofloxacine est autorisée chez l'adulte dans le traitement des infections urinaires compliquées, de la pyélonéphrite aiguë, de la prostatite, des infections digestives dont la diarrhée du voyageur, de certaines inf…
Safety profile
Levonorgestrel: Les effets indésirables fréquents de la contraception d'urgence comprennent nausées, céphalées, fatigue, vertiges, tension mammaire et modifications du cycle menstruel. Ciprofloxacin: Les effets indésirables fréquents comprennent troubles digestifs, céphalées, vertiges et éruptions cutanées.
Questions fréquentes
Is Levonorgestrel better than Ciprofloxacin? ▾
Levonorgestrel and Ciprofloxacin are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Levonorgestrel and Ciprofloxacin be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Levonorgestrel
Products with Ciprofloxacin
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