Took leviquin 500 for 8 days before I realized what was happening...

I took Leviquin for 12 days @ 750mg was supposed to for 14 days. I quit because of sleep trouble, legs hurting, sick to my stomache and all over crappiness! I contracted E-coli while in the hospital was the reason I was on this wicked antibiotic. My symptoms disappeared within a couple of days after ending medication.

took 500 mg and then upped to 750 when the leg pains kicked in so bad, i could hardly walk and still having trouble. when does it let up?

I was hospitalized with She-gilla (which is a bacteria that enters the intestines and causes severe bleeding along with unimaginable cramping). I am a 39 yr old male and not in the best of health, but I have to say, that by taking Leviquin I might as well just let the bacteria have it's way with my intestines. I experienced the most vivid and horrific nightmare I have ever had after only one does of this medicine. So real was this nightmare that I woke up in a complete shadow of sweat that was my bodies imprint. I also am right now experiencing the "creeping" of my skin. I cannot stop the urge to just crawl out of my skin. Those are just two of the side effects that I have relayed today. There are others, but as of now I have taken only two 500mg pills and NO more. I have since switched to Ciprofloxin which has it's own side effects, which are NOTHING like Leviquin. Beware of the Leviquin and it's side effects. I would advise to seek other options of drugs before taking this drug.

I was given Leviquin 500 mg (1 dose) at the Drs office before be catherized for a urinalysis. I was told this was to prevent infection. This was taken around 2PM and at 2:45 AM I was still awake. I had the sensations that my skin was burning and either from lack of sleep or a side effect, I felt like I was about to come out of my skin. I also had a very rapid heartrate. That was the only med in my system. I will never take it again. Nurse said they had never heard of any side effects....glad I read your site.

I took 5 out of 7 pills before I decided to stop the Levaquin.
I was taking it for UTI, Kidney infection after coming off of Cipro.
I am 42 and feel like I am 90. Every joint in my body hurts, my knees are swollen, the fingers on my right hand have pins and needles, I can barely stay awake and I feel like I am in a constant fog and don't want to talk to or be bothered by anyone. I can't believe the only thing I was told by the Dr. was not to take it within 2 hours of dairy products. I have never had side effects from anything like this before. I had acl reconstructive surgery on my knee 6 months ago and that knee is hurting again so bad and it was doing great. Will NEVER come near this medicine again.

omg I started taking Leviquin about 5 days ago I am so sick right now I'm at work vomiting I've been having panic attacks and a rapid heart beat, I have no insurance this drug cost me $ 192.00 I can not effort to pay for another perscription but I have to stop taking this drug I fell really bad I also have alot of joint pain. Help!

I also have had a bad reaction to leviquin. I started to take it the 10 days recommended, when on the 8th day I was having severe muscle pains, in my arms and legs. I could barely move and cried just trying to get into bed at night. Now over 6 weeks later my doctor is telling me it can not be the side effects. She has done lab work and found nothing but high tryglercerides and colesteral. She has now put me on pamelar saying that it could be a side effect from my migraines. BULL!! I hurt when I sit too long and some days can barely move. And she is suggesting that if this does not work to refer me to a pain clinic. I do not want to do this I want an answer as to what is going on too. Let me know if you hear anything.

I JUST STARTED TAKING THIS DRUG 3 DAYS AGO AND I HAVE HAD TERRIBLE NIGHTMARES AND ANXIETY I WAS GIVEN THIS DRUG FOR A BACTERIA AND HAVE A KIDNEY STONE PASSING

Yes you are right, I was given this medicine Jan/Feb 2006 for an ear infection. It is BAD. I now know why. Thanks and I hope you the best.
Sabrina Cerbone

I started this med for pneumonia Jan 23, 2009 within 4 days of taking it I had intense knee pain and swelling. I quit taking it on the 7th day after talking with a pharmicist and he printed out a side effect list that was more detailed than the original one. The word "fatal" was in it 3 times!! I decided to stop taking it and the swelling improved the next day. It's now a week later and I'm doing good to walk on that knee. I'm searching now to see how long this dangerous drug stays in your system. Oh, and did I say that my doctor claims that there is no way the joint pain and swelling could be a side effect? Really! I'm finding a new doctor! And will never take that drug again.

WELL, I WAS TOLD IT TOOK 3 MONTHS TO GET OUT OF MY SYSTEM. I HIT JUST 3 MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE KNEES AND HANDS THAT ARE SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL. I AM GETTING DEPRESSED OVER THIS. I WENT FROM A HEALTHY 58 YR OLD WOMAN TO ONE WHO FEELS AND ACTS 90........ALL BECAUSE OF LEVIQUIN. ANY SUGGESTIONS OUT HERE ....PLEASE?!

I know everyone is having a hard time and yes I get the side effects also other than the physical pain. I am 32 years old. I do go under a mental state almost like split personalities and the past two weeks don't even seem real. I also get the increased heart rate. I get constant black outs and dizzy spells but if not for the leviquin I would probably be dead. I have a physical state of asthma where my heart can't supply my lungs with enough oxygen so they react thinking something is wrong. I also get consistent lung infections and sinus infections and now nasal polyps. I am getting another sinus infection and lung infection and wish I had the leviquin now.
Been taking it since November 2, 2009 took my last pill 4 days ago and the infections are coming back. Hang in there everybody. There given it to you for a reason. It will save your life.

I am sorry to hear about your difficulty and agree completely that the drug should be used in circumstances such as you are experiencing. The problem is, many doctors are prescribing this stuff for minor problems or, even worse, for things that it can't possibly help. Adding to the mix is the drug reps that want it scripted for everything possible so they can increase their profits. While I do agree this drug has value when used appropriately, the problem lies with the improper use.

ONLY one problem ~ you could be developing infections resistant to the drug having taken it so often !
I was gien this drug for pneumonia as well as a kidney infection following surgery on my kidney and I suffered an "Abrupt Tendon injury " while I was standing perfectly still. I have been diagnosed wih Plantar Fasciitis, and my achilles tendon must be stretched out frequently due to spasms and discomfort
my knees feel as thought they are about to give way, my hands feel as though they have pins and needles poking them, And Anxiety ~ I thought that was from the way everything else felt, you mean that is a side effect as well ?
I've been given this drog off and on for years, just what is the prognosis ?
R Moore

This is an old thread but since I see it is still active, I will add some comments. Prognosis? NOT GOOD. After writing this initial message I have gone through hell. At the 9 month mark, my distal bicep tendon ruptured completely. It had to be reattached to the bone surgically. It has now been 2.5 years and my tendon problems seem to be much better but I still have daily bouts of anxiety, and ongoing depersonalization. Neither of these problems were present before taking this drug. Also, even though I can get through work, I am constantly tired and worn down.... and I sleep at least 8.5 hours a night. I'm 49 and feel 99. I used to have such an active life before Levaquin. I'd give anything to have it back. Finally, I just had a doctor admit that the drug reps swore there would be no resistance to this class of drugs yet now they are beginning to see it since it has been over-prescribed so much. I don't imagine they will care though, they drove this cash cow just about as far as it would go......... at our expense.

I took this twice both for sinus infections. The first time, my left foot began to hurt like I had a charlie horse-- but no matter what I did, I could not get it worked out- it feels like I am walking on a wooden peg leg, my skin hurts, joints hurt,even the ball and heel of my foot kills me. It is very painful. I did not know about the side effects until I was on the 8th day out of 10. on my second round. I am now having to walk close to walls, I look for hand rails, I can't do stairs, curbs kill me as well to get on and off of them. I look like I have the market cornered on the nursing home shuffle. I am desperate to find help.

I took levaquin over a year and a half ago, I took it exactly as prescribed. The doctor thought I had pneumonia. After taking the levaquin, I wish I had just the pneumonia, my skin turned beat red, hot and itchy, my eyes went beat red (I looked like the son of satan), I couldn't open my eyes without them hurting. I continually vomited and had diarrea, every joint in my body hurt to the point that I couldn't walk down the stairs without feeling unbearable pain. My hands and feet went completely numb from it. That was after only 2 days, I stopped taking it immediately, I thought this drug was going to kill me. I took over a month for me to recover from the majority of the effects, but to this day I still have some of the effects from it. I think it may have caused some nerve damage, but I can't prove anything. I still get a pins and needles feeling in my left arm, and my feet hurt all the time. Levaquin should be taken off the market and the people who approved it at the FDA should be fired.