Levo...Leva? Is there meaning to the prefix of a medication?

@thumperguy Is the term a prefix to a word or phrase? Where did you see the terms? Seems like it just might be a prefix meaning on the left side, as in levorotation (turning or twisting to the left).

Oh yes, I should have clarified, they are both prefix syllables to medications, e.g. levothyroxine. I’m puzzled by the connection with “left” unless it pertains to a manipulation of the compound’s molecular structure.

@thumperguy Can you give us an example of the prefix Leva for the medication in question? normally, and both of you are correct, Levo is used in chemistry when the compound rotates plane-polarized light counterclockwise. i.e. left.
I am not familiar with "Leva", but I can tell you that a few prefixes in medications like es, lev, dex and ar are what is called a stereoisomer, which is simply just the way atoms are arranged by space. sterioisomers are used to name drugs that have already received a United States adopted name. for instance, esomeprazole is a stereoisomer of omeprazole.

Amanda, Re: “Leva,” I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the word. I’m less sure that what I saw was not an instance of a misspelled word. Your post is so impressively sophisticated I’ll believe anything you say😉. Don

Haha! Too funny, Don. 🙂 Also, I did reword your title just to reflect the nature of the post. Are you on Levothyroxine?

It’s my wife who uses it Amanda.

Levo- is a prefix meaning on the left side, as in levorotation (turning or twisting to the left)¹. It is often used to indicate the configuration of certain molecules, such as levodopa (a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease) or levofloxacin (an antibiotic). Levo- is the opposite of dextro-, which means on the right side.

Some examples of medical terms that use levo- are:

- Levocardia: The normal position of the heart on the left side of the chest.
- Levoscoliosis: A curvature of the spine to the left.

I assume Levo- was chosen instead of Sinistro because the latter would be too......sinister?

Also I now have a name for my lack of hand-eye coordination, I'm ambilevo....or should that be ambisinistral?