Levofloxacin symptoms and conditions

My Mom was prescribed Levofloxacin ( AKA Levaquin) by her retarded doc for a mild cold and a sore throat.
After taking 2 tablets of 500mg each my mom is down is severe pain all over her body! she has joint pains, neck pain, arms, palms shes got severe pain all over her body!
She also has severe itching on the palms and her arms as well..
Headaches,
Things aren't looking good.

She in real pain! She tells me she just wants the pain to stop and that she was better off with the cold and sore throat.

She has stopped taking Levaquin.

Anyone got anyway to help her? something?? She is asleep now but tmr Im going to ask her to drink some kefir..

Thanks

I was prescribed levaquin back in May for a sinus infection. Have suffered from severe side effects, worst of which being joint and muscle pain, stomach pains, weakness and hives (last dose was taken 10 days ago). This has been the most physical discomfort and pain that I've ever been in. In addition, my ability to concentrate and recall easy things has lessened.
The "Bafoon" of a doctor that prescribed this claimed he didn't know what was wrong with me after a normal blood test. My new knowledgeable doctor told me that some people can't even walk after taking Levaquin. She says it takes on average 7 days to 6 weeks to feel improvement. Being a 36 yr old woman, having to move turtle speed, and feeling like I'm in a 90 year old body is very depressing.
If anyone has any information on any class action or mass tort litigation lawsuits please send me the information. This drug is poison and should not be prescribed for minor infections!!!

My doc prescribed levofloxacin, 500mg once a day for 21 days, due to a low level chronic sinus infection that had flared up. I got near immediate relief from the worst effects of the infection but have experienced a rather extreme metallic taste in my mouth. I've used a tongue scrapper and that helps for short periods. The other item that seems to help is chewing Altoids cinnamon gum. I ran across another web site that recommends rinsing with a solution of 8 oz water with 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Other than the metallic taste, I haven't had any adverse reactions. Good luck to all.

My 81 year old mother, who has Diabetes and Blood Pressure (and who is on eleven medications) was given a prescription for 750(!!!) mgs of this drug, by the doctor's physician assistant for a mild upper respiratory infection. Four days later, she ends up in the hospital delirious and confused, with pain in her back and legs. She recognized no one. After a few days, and constant intravenous fluids, she came back to herself. She's always been sharp as a tack, and in pretty good shape for her age. When she was brought to the hospital, they thought she was stroking, and of course, she couldn't tell them that she was just prescribed this medication. All her battery of tests came back negative for stroke. Her useless doctor never even showed up at the hospital. If she had, she could have told them about the prescribed Levaquin. When she was released from the hospital, I called the pharmacist and asked what medication that she was taking could of caused this - and he said without a doubt, the Levaquin. This stuff is absolute poison and should not be on the market. How it got approved, I don't know - maybe kickbacks to them - for sure kickbacks to the doctors who prescribe it and claim side affects are very rear with this medication. If you are every given a prescription for this - ask your doctor for something else.

I had cough for almost a month when I started to feel a light localized pain in the lower rib area, between the breast and the upper abdomen. ( when taking a deep breath or coughing).Then I was prescribed levofloxacin (levaquin) 500 for 10 days for a “supposed” pneumonia and sinusitis, no RX or lab tests done, by one pneumologist. Well, I felt others side effects but what really matters is that after 2 days taking the medication the pain worsen a lot, felt like a stab. I could not move in bed, was difficult to move, seat, get up, drive, work, whatever… In the fifth day I complained to the doctor who said I had muscular pain and the pneumonia was gone, but I should continue the 10 days treatment. So I did. After 7 days I felt when coughing that something was stretching and unsticking in the pain area. After the total disconnection the pain diminished a lot. Second week, back stabbing pain, third week front pain again, same type and disconnection, then diminished. Fourth week I felt something was loose , crackling in the area while driving or doing some movements. I also felt painful, loose knees and painful elbows. After many doctors, many exams and RXs done, now I know I had chronic bronchitis and costochondritis and I ended up with two ruptures of the costal cartilage, ( costochondral junctions ) 6ª and 7ª ribs, caused by levofloxacin. The RXs now show calcifications , body repairing the ruptures. I can not exercises now for 3 months. Ah…The sinusitis was back 2 weeks after stopping the medication. What I say now is: God protect us from some stupid doctors and these dangerous medicines !!!

If you are having musculo-skeletal symptoms such as soreness, arthritis, tendons, etc., they have known about those side effects for eleven years.

Toxicol Pathol. 1997 Nov-Dec;25(6):635-43.

Links Toxic effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats.Kashida Y, Kato M. Drug Safety Research Laboratory, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. JDN07402@niftyserve.or.jp

Quinolone antibacterial agents have adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system in humans, consisting mainly of myalgia and arthralgia, and additionally of tendon disorders and rhabdomyolysis. The present study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of quinolones on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats using light microscopy, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Single oral administration of 900 mg/kg pefloxacin (PFLX) or levofloxacin (LVFX) was found to induce lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane, in addition to articular cartilage in the fore- and hindlimbs. Articular cartilage lesions were not necessarily associated with changes in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane, or the reverse. Among all lesions, the ankle and elbow showed the highest incidence and severity. Changes were more severe in the PFLX than in the LVFX group. Lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane were similar and characterized by edema and increased number of mononuclear cells, many of which were positively stained with BrdU, as well as vascular endothelial cells in the Achilles tendon sheath and synovial membrane in the ankle. Electron microscopic examination revealed an increased number of fibroblasts and macrophages and collagen deposition in the matrix of the synovial membrane and tendon sheath. Capillary endothelial cells were hypertrophied, increased in number, and stratified. These results suggest that quinolones have toxic potentials in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane in addition to articular cartilage, and that local vascular hyperpermeability may contribute to the development of these lesions. PMID: 9437810

An element of the side effects of Singulair that are listed here are musculo-skeletal symptoms. Quinolones such as levaquin are known to cause those issues. Singulair is a quinoline, while not the exact same category, their roots are similar. It makes the possibility that the symptoms have a common cause worth pursuing.

Here is an example of some poor rats in Tokyo that were selected to prove that the symptoms in humans were real. Maybe we should tell the levaquin board that at least some of their problems have been known since 1997.

1: Toxicol Pathol. 1997 Nov-Dec;25(6):635-43.Links
Toxic effects of quinolone antibacterial agents on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats.Kashida Y, Kato M.
Drug Safety Research Laboratory, Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. JDN07402@niftyserve.or.jp

Quinolone antibacterial agents have adverse effects on the musculoskeletal system in humans, consisting mainly of myalgia and arthralgia, and additionally of tendon disorders and rhabdomyolysis. The present study was conducted to examine the toxic effects of quinolones on the musculoskeletal system in juvenile rats using light microscopy, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Single oral administration of 900 mg/kg pefloxacin (PFLX) or levofloxacin (LVFX) was found to induce lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane, in addition to articular cartilage in the fore- and hindlimbs. Articular cartilage lesions were not necessarily associated with changes in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane, or the reverse. Among all lesions, the ankle and elbow showed the highest incidence and severity. Changes were more severe in the PFLX than in the LVFX group. Lesions in the muscle + fascia, tendon + sheath, and synovial membrane were similar and characterized by edema and increased number of mononuclear cells, many of which were positively stained with BrdU, as well as vascular endothelial cells in the Achilles tendon sheath and synovial membrane in the ankle. Electron microscopic examination revealed an increased number of fibroblasts and macrophages and collagen deposition in the matrix of the synovial membrane and tendon sheath. Capillary endothelial cells were hypertrophied, increased in number, and stratified. These results suggest that quinolones have toxic potentials in the muscle, tendon, and synovial membrane in addition to articular cartilage, and that local vascular hyperpermeability may contribute to the development of these lesions.

PMID: 9437810

I have experienced an allergic reaction to Levofloxacin:
face swelled up, strong heart arythmia, throat was closing and about 24 hrs later my skin burnt leaving a dark necrotyzed patch that fortunately turned normal after a couple of days. After more than 1 year my body seems to react to any kind of medicine that i used to bare, even if taken in small quantaties. I suffer of liver pain if i eat food containing a bit of fat, regular stomach pains and now suffer of arythmia. I have a child and am scared that i couldt pass on any kind of consequence on a second one.

I've been taking Levofloxacin for 3 weeks now (for my bronchitis), and ever since I started, I've felt uneasy. I'm experiencing severe nausea and mild stomach aches (that sometimes lead to vomitting). My head feels heavy and my stomach's so bloated that I feel even more sick than I already am. This is the first time I've ever had this kind of experience with an antibiotic. I'm a college student, and it's so hard for me to deal with all my academic demands while suffering from the side effects of this drug.

my symptoms of interstitinal cystitis have gotten worse on day 3...feel very tired
previously was on a levofloxacin for 2 weeks and most of my symptoms were begining to go away...does this mean that I don't have mycroplasma? does anyone know
Lucy

There IS HOPE. I posted previously, on the 23rd of January, Guest #36679.

After being off of levofloxacin for over 2 weeks, I can say that I feel 110% better; I am my normal, sane, non-nauseated, regular self again.

I have submitted a MedWatch to the FDA, but don't know if it will do any good as the medication was manufactured by a company in Thailand.

For everyone out there, I wish you a speedy recovery and want you to know that someone here knows how you feel and wishes you the best.

INSOMNIA...
Normally I sleep very well but for four nights after I started taking the Levofloxacin I could not sleep. At most, I got 1-2 hours a night. I read up on the side effects and figured that the med had to be causing it.

i am 22, and before the levaquin and tequin i was healthy and normal.
Last november while visiting family for thanksgiving, i came down with strepthroat. i couldnt get an appt with tricare so my mother gave me some tequin, she had used it for strep throat. Since then my life has been a living nightmare and it has been the worst year of my life. I took the tequin for 4 days. on the 4day, i left to go back to VA where i live. I got horribly sick that day, but thought nothing of it as my husband and son had gotten the 24 hr bug while we there. pretty soon i started having anxiety attacks and chest pain left and right. The came the stomache PAIN. I thought i was having appendicitis. I ended up going to the er once sometimes 2x a month for things like severe abdominal pain and chest pain, anxiety attacks going out of control, and unbearable migraines (which i had never had before.) i was diagnosed with lots of different things, IBS, Ulcer, pulled muscles, chest wall pain, and once even gall bladder dysfunction. So as a result of all that i have been perscribed all kinds of things for the pain the nausea the headaches the unbearable insomnia etc.
These things caused a major rift in my marriage. My husband has at a few times talked of divorce bc he couldnt stand the hypochondriac *as he put it* that i had become. I have thought i was going crazy, have contemplating hospitalitizing my self etc. Recently my PCM and I decided to try a perscription for depression. One of the major symptoms of depression is"persistand physical symptoms that DO NOT respond to treatment. Such as Headaches, digestive disorders and headaches." so i tryed it. Then a week ago i stepped on something outside and went to get a tetanus shot. They perscribed levaquin 750 mg a day for 5 days, and gave me a 750mg dose at the hospital. That was Monday. it is now 430 am on friday and this week has sucked. My side effects have included insomnia(even with my nightly ambien), nausea, burning/tingling in my entire right arm, chest pain, a sinus infection, knee pain, back pain, shoulder/neck stiffness, headaches, jitters, something kinda like blurred vision..like right on the verge of not being able to focus. Constipation, pain in my hands, and almost overwhelming fatigue.
regretably i had already taken todays dose, and i started feeling bad again so i decided to look up all my current meds online to see if maybe it was an interaction of sorts. I tried the levaquin last, as it is an antibiotic. After reading 9 pages of nothing but negative comments i decided to flush the remainder of the bottle of pills down the toilet. I plan on filing a compaint with the FDA. This is poisin and I cannot belive with all the side effects it is still on the market. I cannot believe that for almost a year my life has been a living, tormenting hell. And all b/c of something that is supposed to make things better? If you read this please stop taking the pills and see your doc about another alternative. I agree that the drug should be taken off the market and soon. i also agree that a class act lawsuit should be filed. These side effects LAST A LONG TIME, they interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis. I am very interested in talking with others about the problems with the side effect, and the longevity of them. My yahoo email/ID is ******* i would appreciate and be thankful for any advice, and i would also like to be in contact with others who have suffered as i have suffered.

My mother took levofloxacin for 7 days and after that she started having joint pain in her knees. I immediately stopped the medicine when On internet find the information about the side effect. But even after 15day she is suffereing from teh same pain. When will it end and what medicine we can give her for the relief in joint pain. can anyone help????

Had it prescribed twice. The first time was for sinusitis and the second for a urinary infection.
The first time I suffered from severe achilies tendon pain with a little ankle swelling but didn't conect the drug and the pain.
The second time, the doctor, when I informed him that I was even finding walking painful, told me that it was just a side effect of the drug and that it could continue for up to three or four months. That information would have been really usefull before I started using
Levofloxacin the second time but, as is often the case, I was too badly affected by the ailment to look it up myself or ask all the clever questions.

I only went on this drug because it seems the allergy season
has caused a sinus problem. I have the foul odour when
i rub the tip of my nose. Very dry green discharge if I blow
my nose hard. Usually sinuses too hard..not running.
I have dull aching in my head and sinus and teeth sometimes
ache. Symptoms been going on for about two months. Flonase
decongestants don't completely fix so doc prescriped
levofloxacin...as I said took one pill yesterday at 7..10 day
dosage. These stories have my head spinning..but like I said
so for I feel no worse than I did before. Usually anti biotics
work well for me if I need them...always try to rough it out
first.

My side effects that I think are attributable to Levofloxacin: Exacerbated rib cage pain (I have been coughing some, but not enough for this much pain); general weak feeling, and weird feeling (not terrible, but not good); pounding head whenever I mover faster than a sloth; and bizarre dreams or thoughts at night (again, not terrible, but new to me).... I have taken this drug for four days, on a perscription for a bad sinus infection. I have had other antibiotics before - this one is definitely causing some problems.