Avelox and antibiotic

Help! I am a 16 year old, and I have taken Avelox before for sinus infections and it helped and I was fine(my mom works for a heart&lung specialist so she has got the prescription free from him). I took Avelox again a couple weeks ago for a sinus infection and cough. After a day or so I started to feel all jittery like something is under my skin, and when I try to sit still I want to shake my arms/whole body. I also have had trouble sleeping and have stayed up till 1 in the morning and been getting up at 6:30 for school. I have had feelings of depression 3 years ago. I am back to that place again. Except I feel worse. I will be happy and fine one minute then the next I don't want anything to do with anyone. I am also really gaseous, and feel like someone is sitting on my chest and my heart feels like its beating Really fast. My voice also feels really shaky. Should I tell my mom or will this pass? I don't want to tell her and she not believe the stuff that I've been feeling. I told her about the jittery thing the 4th day I was taking it, and she told me to stop, but I already had the day before because I read the paper inside the box about side effects and on the internet when I saw some of my symptoms. I don't know what to do....??

I have had a bad cough for the past six eeks - went to the doctor and was prescibed an antibiotic which I took for 7 days and the cough got no better. Went to him again 2 days ago and he prescribed Avelox 400 mg " just in case there was infection omewhere that was missed by oher antibiotic." I felt horrible within a couple of hours and had to go to bed. I slept an hour and the rest of that night was awful - I felt very nervous and dizzy. My legs were restless and I felt awful. I had bad diarhea the next day and had a hard time working. Took another pill last night and could not sleep. I woke up feeling dizzy and weak today and decided to see if other people have felt like this (online). Other people have! I just called doctor office to leave the message that I won't be taking more of this. ( doubt he will respond.) It is very expensive and I hate to waste my money - but I don't want to waste my life either. Why would a doctor prescribe such a miserable drug unless your life was threatened if you did not take it? The pages of warings were scarey - but I trusted the doctor's wisdom - duh me. I guess I have killed all my "good bacteria" now and I still have my cough. He also gave me a prescription for Omeprazole "just in case " the cough is caused by acid reflux. Too much "just in cases" to suit me. I had better get back to prayer and faith in God - faith in the doctor is not helping much with any ailments I have.

I am 41yoa male who was prescribed a 14 day supply of Avalox for a bacterial skin infection that was getting worse after no change from another antibiotic. The meds did help reduce the infection, but at a cost still waiting to see. I had the mental confusion, digestive challenges, headaches which I can expect from most antibiotics, but by day 3 my right ankle/achilles tendon was sore. By day 5 it was difficult to walk do to the pain. Couldn't sleep do to pain levels. I called my physician and discontinued the meds. Two weeks from starting Avalox, I'm still having severe pain in both achilles tendons, quadriceps and hamstring attachments. This drug should be taken off the market. Prior to all of this I was exercising 6 days a week doing the P90X program and now it hurts to walk and go down the stairs.

I had my baby in the hospital for RSV and I was sick as well and went down to the ER of the hospital to get treated. I had difficulty breathing so I was treated with oxygen and albuterol and was also given a chest xray. Everything went well. Went back up to my baby's room and within ten minutes I couldn't move my body. I felt paralyzed and pinned to the bed I was on. I stated to slur my speech and lost any control of my limbs. I was delirious and began to hallucinate. I could not stand or barely speak. I was wheeled back down to the ER and the doctors were baffled. They told me I had an "atypical toxic reaction" to the Avelox they gave me. I thought I was either going to die from a stroke or be partially paralyzed for the rest of my life. I have three young children. I am normally very careful about what medications I put in my body but I was at a disadvantage b/c my 5 month old was very ill and I wanted to get back to him. I should have told them to give me an antibiotic I have already taken. However, the problem lies in our medical system and the FDA that approved these medicaitons. Please all beware of this class of antibiotics, the fluoroquinolones. DO NOT TAKE FLUOROQUINOLONES!!!

I was prescribed this antibiotic almost 2 weeks ago. It has been sitting in bag because after I read the side effect of tendinitis, that alone scared me. The reason I was prescribed this medication is because I just had sinus surgery in October, at my follow up appt the ENT said looked like I had tonsillitis and I should take some antibiotics so that my sinuses could heal properly. My nose had some dry blood in it, so last night I decided to begin the 10 day prescription. I took it about 11 pm and I was completely exhausted. I think I fell asleep but then woke myself up. I tossed and turned until about 3 trying desperately to fall asleep. While tossing and turning in bed, my stomach was doing some flips itself. I felt completely nauseous and like my heart was racing a hundred miles a minute. When I came in to work this morning I still feel jittery and anxious and now I will get these awful body aches like someone is pulling my muscles or tendons and twisting them. I have never felt this pain before. I am immediately stopping this medication, it makes me feel awful. Avoid taking this at all costs.

I am a 50 yr old male described by my doctor as healthy and "well developed". I was prescribed this drug (10 days) for a sore throat and minor respiratory problem after a more conventional antibiotic did not render any improvement.
Within 1 day my tongue and lips felt burned and swollen, I sleep lightly and feel as through every joint and most muscles in my body hurt. I feel as if I've been in a gang fight.
Also I believe it has irritated either the prostate or urinary tract resulting in frequent trips to the men's room. I personally have not experienced bowel problems.
I feel this product is marginal at best and not worth the results.

I was prescribed 7 days of Avelox 400 mg for bronchitis. On my fourth day of taking this medication, I began to suffer from severe abdominal pain, cramps and debilitating diarrhea. These symptoms were so bad that I missed a whole week of work. I was taking each pill with dinner in the evening and then I was up all night back and forth to the bathroom. I took 6 of the 7 pills and then refused to take the last one when it became obvious that Avelox was the cause of these symptoms (the only side effect listed on the bottle was dizziness, which I did not experience). I have now been off Avelox for 2 days and I am still suffering from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. I am afraid to eat anything because it goes right through me and it is very painful.

I am taking probiotics now to regain the good bacteria in my digestive tract, but I am still in a lot of pain. My sister, who is a physician assistant, told me that it should take from 48 hours to a week for this to flush out of my system. She said that Avelox is an extremely strong antibiotic that she only prescribes for confirmed pneumonia.

I am otherwise a very healthy 42 year-old woman with no allergic reactions to any medications which is why it took me so long to make the connection. I would not recommend this medication to anyone and have told my sister that she should not prescribe it either.

These postings have really helped me. I feel lucky that I did not suffer more severe symptoms.

I took my 2nd Avelox pill at 10am this morning, by lunch time I felt very jittery and anxious, and had isolated tingling in my left hand and foot. Tonight I had severe abdominal pain and then the subsequent emptying of the bowels (ok, that's gross!). I am a healthy 39-year old woman who has never had any side effects from medication. This was prescribed for a sinus infection. Thank you all for your posts about your experience with this horrible stuff. I feel better knowing that I'm not going crazy. Unfortunately, because this is a once-a-day pill, this stuff is still in my system. For those of you who are posting on this site saying you've had no side effects and this medicine worked great, you probably work for Bayer in their PR department....if not and you really did not have any side effects, this site is for those of us who HAVE had side effects.

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus and ear infection. I have been taking it for a week now and honestly don't feel much better. With amoxicillin or omnicef, I would have felt better on day 2 of the antibiotic. I haven't had any of the severe side effects anyone else has, but I do feel just "out of it." It's like I've had a "brain fart" all week! I've been extremely forgetful and lethargic.

I have had no side effects!!
Well I have been taking Avelox 400mg for 5 days now, and had no side effects whatsoever. I asked my doctor to give me this prescription for upper respiratory infection, and after two days of taking it, I felt 200% better. It is now 5 days, I feel great, and not one side effect. This goes to show that what may be a terrible experience using Avelox for one person, it may be a great experience for another person. I was a lucky one that have not had any side effects at all. I have never recovered so quickly from taking an antibiotic in my life and I'm 38 years old. I do though recommend doubling up on a 30 day treatment of Acidophilus. This will help you replenish the Good bacteria in your body that was also killed off when taking a strong antibiotic such as Avelox 400mg. This antibiotic kills the bad bacteria causing the infection and the good bacteria in your body as well. Acidophilus after treatment is highly recommended. Other than taking Acidophilus after the treatment, I found this antibiotic to be the best that I have ever taken. Take care, Joe.

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus infection that would not go away. After 4 days of taking it I have had severe cramping in my joints around my ankles, knees, shins and calf muscles. I have pain in my fingers too. I feel totally out of it, and dizzy. I have little to no appetite. This is a terrible drug, and should be pulled off the market. I was desperate to get rid of my sinus infection, and now I find myself having bigger problems from the side effects of this drug.
I have had pain now for 4 days. Does anyone know when this pain goes away?

I started taking Avelox 9 days ago. I was prescribed 14 days of Avelox after a round of Ceftin failed to clear up a sinus infection.
I am an avid tennis player, playing 3-5 times a week. My first bad experience happened yesterday when I went out to play and as soon as I walked outside I had a head to toe tingling feeling. This felt like I had chills but no goosebumps were showing. Over an hour or so later, the goosebumps showed up. This was in 90 degree heat!! I first thought it was dehydration, which it may have been, since I didn't seem to be able to get enough water/Gatorade no matter how much I would drink. This is even at night when I am not in the heat!!
I didn't take the medicine today. Played again this morning. I had the same tingling feeling head to toe, but no chills this time. To explain the tingling, I told a friend my skin felt like it was creepy crawly! It was a horrible feeling again in extreme heat!
I, also, have a hamstring that feels a lil tinge to it. I never have these problems and I am guessing this is due to the medicine, too.
If I walk outside, my body temperature feels like it shoots up! Even though I do not have a fever.
I went to my doctor's office and he is out of town! I asked to see another Dr. and he was "too busy to see me" since he was trying to get to the hospital! I was told to call my family Dr.which I did, only to be told he was also booked and I couldn't be seen. So, I gave up! And, not taking the medicine anymore!! Never again. This will be on my list of 'Allergic to.'
I usually have no side effects from medicines.

Avelox 400 MG was prescribed for me after treating a severe upper
respiratory infection and a terrible coughing that was unproductive.
I was exhausted from the coughing and had gone to the Dr. for 3 days
in a row for a penicillin injection, while also taking a milder antibiotic. He took me off of it and prescribed the Avelox when I was not responding to treatment. .
I took the first pill at 6:30 in the evening ( one per day for 7 days ) was
the script. In reading the pamphlet that came with the script, I was
already frightened of the side effects, before coming online to read the horror stories. I am a strong person mentally, and physically I do not
generally have side effects with medication. About 6 hours after taking the first pill, I went to bed hoping I would not have hallucinations as others said they had. Somehow I went right to sleep and slept for nearly 8 hours. No hallucinations.
I was fine all the next day, even beginning to cough up some of the phlegm etc that was down there. I figured the medicine was working to break it up a bit and was glad. I took the second pill at 6:30 that evening and went to bed around 12:30. I found it harder to get to sleep, and woke up several times with my throat very dry, and drank some more water. I wound up a total of about 4 hours sleep and was up at 5:AM. Around 9:00 AM I sat down to watch some news on TV and within a few seconds of having turned the TV on, a horrible panic came over me which I had never experienced in my life. My hands were shaking, and my legs had turned to rubber, and my MIND, it was as if I were someone else and could not think clearly at all. The feeling worsened until I thought I would not be able to return to my normal self. Tried to be calm so as not to add to the situation, but found I had no control over it. This episode lasted about and hour and a half. It was now 3 hours ago that it happened, and my legs are still a bit rubbery, hands still a bit shaky, but my mind is clearing up. I called the doctor and told him I wouldn't be taking any more of these pills. I don't mind a few mild side effects if that were the case, but certainly nothing that plays with my mind. I am now terrified of these pills and would not recommend them to anyone. I pray I will be able to get better on another antibiotic that has worked for me in the past.
M. 05/16/09

I have taken Avelox before with only minimal side effects nausea and diarrhea were the only ones I got but they were enough. I have been suffering from chronic sinus and ear infections for going on two years now. My doctor gave me samples again of avelox on Monday. Last night I had to be rushed to the hospital. After throwing up all day I got a severe headache. I felt dizzy and out of sorts all day but when I couldn't take the headache anymore I tried laying down. With this medicine you can't take any pain relievers so I thought if I just went to lay down maybe it would ease up some. Well it didn't, and before I knew it I was shaking uncontrollably with tremors and could no longer put sentences together. My head hurt so bad I just wanted to stab myself to make the pain go away. At the er they gave me an IV with something to help with the headache.Anyway after taking a Ct scan and not seeing anything on there the er doc gave me the ok to go home and gave me a script for pain meds. I was having hallucinations, anxieties, and could not speak correctly. I am still having trouble making sentences, I am stuttering, which I have never done before. And I can't get words to go together to make a sentence. The Er doctor wants me to follow up with a neurologist. My tremors still haven't stopped and now I sound like the guy from rain man when I am trying to make a sentence. This is pure torture and I feel like I am in someone else's body.

Been on Avelox for 9 days & thought I was having a nervous breakdown. Whenever I had a side effect from an antibiotic I would break out like a raspberry. So when these side effects started I never thought it was from the Avelox. I started out with nausea, stomach ache & vomited once. Had a close second. THEN I started to have anxiety attacks and had no clue how or why this was happening. They got worse & worse. Then out of no where I got depressed. I DON'T GET ANXIETIES NOR DO I GET DEPRESSED Ever!!!!!

I was so scared. Then I became confused. OK, this is when I said..... what the hell is going on????????? I thought back to the last week.... what was different? What changed? The only thing I could think of was that I was on an antibiotic for a sinus infection. I never took Avelox before. Could it be?????

So I googled it to find out that I was suffering from EVERY side effect the drug had.

It should be taken off the shelf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I asked the doc to prescribe me Avelox 400mg because i have had bad side effects from Biaxin and Erythromycin. I get chronic upper respiratory tract infections from allergies etc. I figured my mother took this med with no side effects (and she is usually very sensitive to all meds including vitamins) so perhaps i could take it without side effects. I was wrong. I took my first pill at 2pm and about one hour later i was starting to feel on edge. Its 11pm and my heart is still racing, and my chest feels very strange. These feelings are from the drug, not anything else! The doc and pharmacist do not explain any side effects or concerns. when i took Biaxin i had no idea that this was the cause of panic attacks that i was getting. I thought i was losing it at the time. Tomorrow i will head back to the doc and get this prescription changed hopefully to a 'nice' antibiotic...if there is such a thing.

I was prescribed Avelox along with Prednisone by my allergy doctor for pneumonia. Even with a prescription insurance program, the Avelox costs $14 a pill. After 13 days on Avelox, my joints hurt so bad I can barely walk. My muscle tone is almost non-existent, and the muscles ache like I've been in training for a marathon. I daily became more depressed, and really thought I was dying. I went to see my internist this a.m. A chest x-ray revealed I still have a raging case of pneumonia, now in both lobes of my lungs. She wanted to put me in the hospital but agreed to put me on a Augmenting and another round of Prednisone to try at home a couple of days. Avelox should be taken off the market. I can not believe this medication which costs over $240 for one round of treatment was ever approved by the FDA. My doctor could not tell me when the side effects of the Avelox will diminish or disappear. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG IF ANOTHER WILL DO THE JOB.

I am just in shock. I have been on Avelox for 7 days now, and I can tell you that the side effects are not worth it. I still feel sick and have the bad cough. Now, I also have Thrush. But the weirdest and most upsetting part of this was that I didn't notice any of the other symptoms. So I went all week, talking a mile a minute, sweating, dry mouth, hallucinations, etc. Then on Saturday, a few of my friends staged an intervention. They actually believed that I was taking Crystal Meth - ICE. I was heartbroken, confused, and mad. I knew I had not done any illegal drugs, but several of my friends were convinced.

I went to the doctor today and found out that it was the Avelox. However, I had already taken today's dose. I even told the doctor about the situation with my friends and asked if this drug could be related. He said no, it must be the steroids and sent me on my way. As luck would have it, the pharmacist saw me in the store and approached. I asked him if Avelox could make me feel the way I was feeling. He told me that I should have never been prescribed Avelox and Effexor as they had drug interaction issues. He also told me that my symptoms were disclosed on the pamplet. The problem was that I got the Avelox as samples after the Augmenton didn't work.

So, I came home took the meds for the Thrush and watched tv. I haven't slept since Thursday, nor have I eaten since Saturday. I am hearing and seeing things. Now I am scared to go to sleep because I may not wake up. My heart is beating fast, I can't stop talking, dizzy, blurred vision, disoriented but extremely happy given the circumstances, paranoid, jittery, extremely thirsty even though unable to pee.

This is just horrible. I am not a drug adict and do not do Meth/Ice or any drug like that, but now my best friends are doubting me. They don't understand or believe that an antibiotic could do this and how am I supposed to prove it to them? It looks like, just because I got sick, I may lose some of my closest friends... Remember, most drug adicts and alcoholics DENY it first. Great, huh. Now everyone is going to be watching me to see if I am on drugs. I feel violated because evidently I got all high on this antibiotic, didn't enjoy it, and now am suffering the consequences.

What makes it worse is that people I love now don't trust me, and I didn't even know what was going on

I took Avelox for the first and LAST time today!! I have had 4 ear infections in the last 4 months. My sinus drains into them every nite. My ent prescribed Avelox b/c she want to kick the heck out of this infection. I was abit nervous about taking a different antibiotic because within the last 2 yrs I've developed food allergies. I took it and drank a big glass of water with it. Very soon after I started to feel strange. My throat felt tingly and I felt very anxious and thought I was going to throw up. I calmed down enough to get my son to a neighbors house and get to the ER. Of course I had to wait there I did get a hold of my anxiety. Right below my adam's apple inside my throat felt like the pill was stuck there. I would feel like it was a burp or gas that just couldn't make it out. My stomach felt queasy. I thought I might puke in the waiting room. 4 hours later I am home and feel like crap. My body is achy. My head feels like I've taken percaset(sp) I'm shakey and tired. Climbing the stairs it hard, my legs feel like sandbags. The dr. in the er said he doubted it was an allergic reaction because of how fast it came on. Reading about others experiences makes me think the DR. is wrong!! I did take it on an almost empty stomach. My co-pay on this crap was $55!!!!

March 3, 2009
I returned to the doctor today to get a different antibiotic because Avelox made me worse off than the sinus infection I had. I stopped taking it about two weeks ago and still have side effects from the drug. My doctor had given it to me about two other times. The last time I recall was in November. I didn't finish taking my prescription then either.
I thought maybe I was having flu symptoms also, but it was the drug making me more ill. RASH, HIVES, RED HANDS, SWOLLEN TONGUE THRUSH, BUMPS ON MY TONGUE, TINGLING IN MY BACK, VOMITING,HEADACHES, PAIN IN MY STOMACH NOT LONG AFTER TAKING A DOSAGE. FREEZING HANDS, THROAT FEELS LIKE IT'S CLOSING UP AND DIFFICULTY SWALLOWING, COULDN'T GET OUT OF BED, MUSCLE FATIGUE, ACHES WEAKNESS, JOINTS HURT, TINGLING IN HANDS, ANXIETY,CRYING SPELLS, NIGHTMARES, SKIN SENSITIVITY, INSOMNIA, THEN EXTREME FATIGUE, DIZZINESS AND LIGHT HEADED UPON STANDING AND/OR GETTING UP FROM A SITTING OR SQUATING POSITION. EVERYTHING HURTS ALL THE TIME IN EVERY MUSCLE...... I BASICALLY FEEL LIKE I AM DYING.
My fiance thought I was totally losing my mind. I was moody, aggressive, irritable, depressed etc... I felt like like a different person.. My fiance of course got sick also and his doctor prescribed it to him. His side effects included muscle aches and pains and extreme fatigue and mood swings. I looked up some side effects when I was started taking it a few weeks ago, but didn't pursue the research until the side effects got worse. I took it for 7 days this time. My fiance took it for three days. I called him at work after seeing this website and told him to stop taking the medication immediately. I am still sick with a sinus infection, and a whole slew of other crap going on. I called the doctors office and went in right away to get a different medication. To no avail, when I went to my doctors office there was a rep from Avelox there. I said don't give that Avelox to anyone sarcastically. I then saw his tag on his shirt and his bag full of Avelox samples. He asked what type of symptoms I had and I told him.. He said he would report it to the company.... What do you think they will do about it? MOST LIKELY NOTHING. I am an educated person with the capability and time to research anything I need to and I will do my best to dig up the most dirt I possibly can about this horrible medication. They need to stop pushing these meds on doctors to give us and make us more ill than we were to begin with. I JUST HOPE MY AILMENTS AREN'T PERMANENT. People try to make light of the situation because they don't want to be sued. I think the FDA needs to be revamped and the Government should stop letting these pharmaceutical companies poison us. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING EITHER! DO NOT TAKE IT.
I have been going to my doctor for about fifteen years and she never gave me any medication that had made me this ill. I get samples a lot because I have no insurance. Sometimes she gives me scripts. Today I got Zithromax which always worked well for me in the past. Very little side effects. I realize that everyone reacts differently to certain meds, but come on now! It isn't just a coincidence that all of us commenting and complaining here are imagining these horrible side effects! Today I got Zithromax which always worked well for me in the past. (Very little side effects).Then why did I ever have to take Avelox if there are other antibiotics that will make me better not worse. They push these meds on doctors to give to us that's why! I always trusted and admired my doctor. She always treats me well and does right by me. What is going on with these medical companies?! SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS!

On February 9th, 2009, I went to my PCP because I had been sick for over a week. I knew I had had the flu and unfortunately I got a sinus infection and bronchitis from it. The dr. prescribed me Avelox. When I went and had the RX filled, the pharmacist told me that it was a very very strong antibiotic and that I needed to make sure to drink plenty of water. I took the first done on Monday at about 3:00pm. By that evening, the tremors were starting but I really didn't pay much attention to them because I still felt so horrible. At about 9:00pm I turned out my lights and attempted to go to sleep. Each time I would actually fall asleep, I would twitch or jerk myself right back awake. That first night, I got MAYBE 2 hours of sleep.

When I got out of bed Tuesday morning the tremors were so bad, I could hardly hold a glass to take a drink from. I was dizzy and was even having problems talking. My speech was very slurred and I sounded like I had been drinking. I took my second dose at about 1:00pm on Tuesday, which I never should have done. By 4:00pm my tremors were even worse, I was having a hard time walking, and I started to notice that when I went to the bathroom, urinating was becoming difficult. By that evening I had decided that if things did not get better, I would go to the ER the next morning. That night, once again I did not get any sleep at all and I started having auditory hallucinations. Three or four times through out the night I turned my bedroom light on because I swore I heard someone crawling on my floor.

Wednesday morning when I woke up, tremors were worse, I was having abdominal pain and could barely stand up. I called my doctor's office and left a message and then called my mother and she immediately took me to the ER. When we got there, my blood pressure was 160/100 and my heart rate was through the roof and completely erratic. They immediately did an ekg and asked me if I was having any chest pains or shortness of breath. It was at that point I became VERY nervous about the whole situation. While I was registering at the hospital, my mother actually had to fill out all of the forms because I could not write at all. Once I got back to see the dr. I explained all the symptoms and he said he was going to give me a shot of benadryl but it most likely wouldn't help since I wasn't having an allergic reaction. They waited 30 minutes and it did no good so the doctor gave me Atavan and we waited another 30 minutes to see if it helped. The atavan helped but only because it was masking the symptoms. The dr. explained that I was just going to have to wait for the drug to get out of my system.

It has been a week since I took the first dose and I still have some side effects. My vision has been slightly blurred and I normally have 20/20 eye sight. Also, my typing skills are noticeably worse. I use to be able to type 75 wpm and now I am lucky to get out 40.

I find it absolutely amazing that a drug like this can be approved by the FDA!!!!! Something needs to be done.

I was just prescribed this drug for a sinus infection by an allergist. On day 5 of treatment, I woke up in the middle of the night with severe diarrhea and stomach cramping. After 3 days of staying in bed, unable to leave the house, I phoned my regular doctor and he was alarmed that an allergist prescribed such a strong drug for only a sinus infection. He told me that likely the drug killed all bacteria in my stomach (good and bad) and told me to stop taking the drug. Now, 5 days later, I am still unable to go to work, eat food (am surviving on pedialyte) and am on another round of antibiotics to help with my stomach. I just picked up the new antibiotic, and my pharmacist's jaw dropped when I told her that I had taken Avelox for a regular sinus infection. She said it is one of the strongest drugs you can get at a pharmacy. KEEP AWAY FROM THIS DRUG. I wish I'd known all of this before I started taking Avelox .....

This time i took avelox, about a month ago it worked great, worked better then the other antibiotic they gave be and had to replace. Caught a bad cold with laryngitis again. This time taking avelox, before i took the last pill i started to get severe pains in my right hand, my mouse hand which i use all day as i work on a computer all day. But later i researched on drugs.com and tendon problems including tendon rupture are some of the side effects. GREAT, my doctor knows i work at a call center. Called pharmacist, they told me to stop immediately, even though im on the last pill. Sucks that Ibuprofen gives tendon problems when mixed with avelox. wish me luck it doesn't rupture since ive already take 800mg of IB's twice today.

I'm glad I found this page. My husband has incredibly severe asthma and one of his doctors has decided that he needs to stay on antibiotics constantly (don't agree, don't understand, they won't listen).

Anyway, my husband showed up at my job today and told me he didn't remember dropping me off at work and he had no idea where he'd been all morning, he just "came to" in a KMart parking lot with 1/4 tank of gas missing. We stopped by the bank, stopped at a gas station for a coke, he dropped me off at work.....he doesn't remember anything but getting in the car at the house. He's seemed a little quiet, but he wasn't "out of it" or anything, but he remembers hardly anything from the last three days. After a few moments of sheer panic and running through possibilities (like a mini-stroke), I remembered the doctor had changed his antibiotic to Avelox and that I'd had a similar experience a few years ago with an antibiotic. I did some research on line and the side effects listing for Avelox was INSANE! Why do they prescribe this stuff so quickly??? We, too, received samples, so no insert was included - no warnings. He feels awful and he's sleeping as I type, and hopefully things will improve once it's out of his system: I've got my fingers crossed!

WOW!! I cannot believe I found you all! I am having severe reactions after taking Avelox. I took it for 9 days, stopped it on 12/20/08. Sice then, I have continued to experience extreme dizziness, confusion, sleeping problems, stomach upset, depression and severe anxiety. Please someone tell me I have some sort of recourse here. I am about to lose my job over it. Thanks ~

I just looked at this site to see what side effects people are experiencing with this medication. Here is my experience: I went to see my ENT doctor-this is a great practice and I still have full confidence in their abilities despite what happened to me. I have been having trouble with lots of sinus headaches, and my tonsils becoming infected. However, I have severe hay fever type allergies so most of the time I put up with my symptoms and they go away. However, I knew that I probably needed an antibiotic because my symptoms were getting worse and I had caught a flu-cold thing on top of it. When I went to the ENT she said she thinks that my tonsils may need to come out and prescribed 10 days of Avelox along with a sinus rinse (saline only) she was concerned because I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics (mostly I get hives) so she gave me Avelox. I did not read the side effects before taking it. The reason being I get nervous taking antibiotics as it is because of my allergies and tend to freak myself out. So I just read the part about drinking lots of water, no vitamins,etc.. Even though I had a cold-flu thing I did not take my Allegra or even Tylenol to ease my other symptoms and no vitamins (which I usually take) I only took the Avelox. I also chose to take it at night because on the bottle it warned of dizziness or drowsiness. I have small children to take care of so I couldn't be dizzy during the day! The first night I took it around 10:00-I had trouble falling asleep, felt kind of woozy and high. However, I didn't worry about it cause I knew it could happen. I fell asleep and woke in the night feeling totally freaked out. I kept thinking someone was going to break in the house, I felt really scared for no reason. I wanted to wake up my husband so bad but I didn't because he had the flu and needed some rest. After that I kept drifting in and out of sleep and my mouth kept watering and watering. The next morning I told him to go in the bathroom and read the side effects to HIMSELF-I only wanted to know if what I mentioned was in there. He said yes. I continued to take the drug the next night-this time I felt lots better like my infection was clearing and the woozy feeling was less than the night before which made me happy. But again during the night I felt freaked out and had trouble sleeping all night. The next day I got diarrhea. Again, I figured minor side effects, I need to stick with this and clear up my infection. I took the pill for 5 nights. There were several times during the day that I weird pains (but not super painful-more annoying) a pain in my thumb, my hand, my shoulder, my calf. It was only here or there-not too big of a deal but I thought it was weird. Then I had something happen with my daughter (a family type emergency) which led to lots of crying and drama the entire day. That night I took the drug again (This was actually last night-the 5th time taking it) Again, trouble sleeping but better than the nights before. I woke at 6 this morning to get my daughter ready for school and as soon as I got out of bed I almost fell down. My legs and arms felt SO heavy I can't even describe it. I could barely make it across the room, then the dizziness hit and I started to feel really bad, I started to black out. I laid down on the floor and started sweating, felt like a cold feeling through my body and then my body started going numb. At first I thought "Oh god, I am having an anxiety attack of some kind from all the stress the day before." but it just got worse and worse, I felt like I was having trouble breathing and swallowing. The worst part was if I even tried to LIFT my head off the floor I started to black out (my vision was closing around me and my ears were ringing like crazy) then my mind went crazy-am I having a heart attack (no it couldn't be I am 39!) then the weirdest thing happend my thumbs felt like the muscles were cramping and being drawn into the palms of my hands uncontrollably. That is when I started freaking out. I was yelling-my husband had to leap out of the shower.I kept telling him, something is really wrong get me to the hospital. At one point told him to call 911. I seriously thought "this might be it, the end and I am gonna die here cause my stupid husband keeps rubbing me and trying to calm me down instead of calling 911!" Then I think he got freaked out because it just wouldn't stop and every time he tried to lift me up slightly I would start to faint. Finally, the blacking out thing eased enough he could sit me up, then I finally worked me into standing. He got me to the car and we decided to go to the urgent care versus the ER. They turned us away and told us to go to my doctor because of the antibiotic They said they would see me if I wanted but they really thought I should see her because the antibiotic is really strong and could be the problem. I thought they were crazy and I got really pissed off thinking "What the hell? I could be dying here and they want me to see my freaking ENT?!" My husband talked me into leaving because my ENT was in the next door building. Their office was just opening. They took my blood pressure, it was good, my pulse was good, they checked my ear pressure to see if it had to do with the dizziness and I argued my ears are fine! This is different from dizziness I had from past ear infections I was almost blacking out! But, alas one of my ears was off, and had inflammation. Then they gave me a steroid shot. They said that my infection looked gone in my tonsils but they are still concerned about my sinuses and what is going on there. I have to have a CT scan next week. They said they felt what happened to me was a combo of my ear swelling and a reaction to the antibiotic. They did not give me another antibiotic because they said 5 days was sufficient time to kill the infection. I came home today and tried to rest but it was hard because I had the kids. All day it was an effort to move or walk but thank god the other symptoms were going away. Now it is about 11:30 at night, I can't sleep and I was lying here freaking out about my legs being so screwed up. I have stairs and it is all I can do to walk up or down them. I started thinking the doctor may be nuts and that something really horrible is wrong with me (can you say paranoid?!) so I got on my lap top while my husband is asleep next to me. I found this site. Thank god. Now I can calm down and try to get some sleep! I am not dying of some freaky ailment-it IS the Avelox making me feel this way. While mentally I feel so much better and I am going to stop writing this book-I am still pretty concerned about how long the side effects with my legs are going to last. I am also a little freaked about going to the gym even after I do feel better. I will try to write later to let everyone know when my legs get back to normal. If anyone is experiencing the same symptoms I did. Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away. I felt so stupid complaining about all this weird stuff-my husband acted like I might be a little nuts! Now I know its the meds!! :)

As a follow-up to my post earlier today about my daughter's severe reactions to Avelox.... I wanted to add that we weren't given a prescription -- the doctor actually put a weeks worth of samples into a bag, individually wrapped pills. So even IF there was a warning on the box or a pamphlet included with this toxic drug -- we wouldn't have gotten them. Doctors get these samples from the drug companies and hand them out like candy with no regard for their patients and obviously no knowledge of what they are giving them. This is very wrong in my book. If anyone knows of anything that can be done to stop this drug from being given out - please post here.

I am so happy I found this site and read some of the entries. On Monday I had gone to the doctor because a sinus infection I had last week had come back. So he suggested something stronger this time, Avelox 400mg. The first night I took it I had the usual nausea and dizziness. But the 2nd night I took it I had on top of the nausea.... anxiety, couldn't focus, jittery, trouble falling asleep, slight tremors. I was freaked out because I never have this from any other antibiotic before. After I found this site, I called my doctor immediately and he switch me to the Z-pak, which I'm used to taking with little side effects. I still feel weird and can't wait until this drug is out of my system. I'm soo glad I stopped before my side effects got worse. What a horrible drug. It should be taken off the market! Yes i took away my infection fast but soooo not worth the horrible side effects!

I love Avelox! I had a chronic sinus infection along with bronchitis and what was the beginning of walking pneumonia. I could not breathe out of my nose and my chest rattled, and I was coughing up yellow mucus that had a foul taste. My doctor gave me samples of 3 Avelox to start with, and a prescription for Doxycycline to take for 7 days after. I just finished my 3rd pill of the Avelox, and it is amazing how much better I feel! I will of course finish out the prescription of antibiotics that he gave me as well, but maybe he only gave me 3 Avelox because they aren't good to take for a full cycle, I don't know. All I know is that I have had none of the problems as described here and I can breathe again.

Have taken Avelox for bronchitis and pneumonia in the past. I was well-informed as to possible side effects, and it was suggested that I drink a glass of tonic water daily, that the quinine in it can help offset problems of this class of drugs, the quinolones.
Started myself on it last night for a five-day course, again for bronchial infection (very bad cold turned into bad cough, bringing up discolored mucus, bad taste in mouth). I have asthma and have had bronchial infections many times following a cold.
Had the slightly jumpy reaction, trouble sleeping, and snatches of a song fragment replaying in my head. Finally fell asleep and feel ok this morning--better, actually, as i think i caught the infection at an early stage and it will be gone with a five-day course of this drug.
The reason I have been prescribed this med is that I am allergic to virtually every kind and class of antibiotic. I can successfully take quinolones and sulfa (like Bactrim)--that's it.
However, I've found it to be very effective and the side effects quite minimal. I am drinking that glass of (diet!) tonic water, taking the medication on a full stomach (something carb, like pasta or lots of bread), and being careful not to do any heavy lifting for next couple of weeks to avoid any tendon issues.
This is a very effective drug for those of us who cannot take Zithromax, Penicillin, Erythromycin, etc. My doctor, who runs the pulmonary dept at a hospital, is well-versed in what to use and when.
Will let you all know if there are any problems during or after the 5-day course.

Thank you for this site...although it is too late being I already poisoned myself with my 1st dosage - I know better now to STOP TAKING THIS DRUG IMMEDIATELY.
31 y/o male - non smoker - In good overall health.

What happened...(brief history of what got me to the point of being prescribed this horrid drug)
I caught a cold a few days after drinking quite heavily at a wedding (Aprox 1 month ago). It was severe enough for me to take a trip to this new doctor that is in my network and nearby (how I wish I could use my old family doctor that is out of network).
Symptoms then were congestion in my head and upper chest, cold sweats, runny nose. The doctor told me to take some over the counter stuff and try to fight it off w/ Mucinex, and Zyrtec - and lots of liquids. If that didn't work, he asked me to return.
It took about 5 days, and I seemed to kick the cold.
Approximately 2 weeks went by where I was feeling fine, then it seemed as if I was coming down with something again. (Last Thursday was when I started feeling ill)
I think what brought it on this time was breathing in excess dust at work opening some skids of paper in our warehouse.
Anyhow, this time around I had a pretty serious cough, felt feverish, and fatigued.
Sunday morning I woke up and took two Mucinex to break up the cough (which work great by the way)...and I hacked up something awful enough to call my doctors emergency line and have him paged. I was ready to go to the ER. It wasn't just phlegm or mucas - it was a soild mass of lord knows what containing blood. It look like an organ from a small critter.
Doctor said to keep taking the Mucinex and if I didn't feel better to come see him.
The coughing got worse on Monday, and the mucus I was spitting up wasn't pretty.
I went to see him yesterday afternoon (Tuesday) and he said its time to start you on an antibiotic and diagonsed me with an Upper Respiratory Infection.
He gave me Avelox, and Advair, and I asked for some of the good cough syrup w/ the codeine. He also sent me for a chest X-ray.
I got home around 4pm, made some food, then took some syrup and tried the advair.
I waited to take the Avelox til later on in the evening so I could set up a routine as I work nights and 9pm would be good.
I took the Avelox, around then, along with another dose of the cough syrup.
Around 1 hour later I felt extremely nauseous. I would burp, and feel almost ready to vomit...it was my body rejecting this horrible drug. The nausea came and went, came and went - then I got tired.

I laid down around 11pm and then the REAL trouble started. I must have fell asleep for about 30 mins, then woke up suddenly gasping for air...It felt like my heart was about to stop. I sat up in the bed panicked. I then got a little nervous, but calmed myself down, drank another glass of water and tried to fall back asleep. Sure enough just as I was about to drift off, the same sudden feeling of my breathing or heartbeat was interrupted and I sat up again. I had tingling in my chin area and in my arms. Walking to the bathroom I felt slightly disoriented and dizzy, and my legs and whole body felt weak. I also started getting itchy in my legs and groin area. Now I'm scared to go to sleep so I come to the computer and started researching this Avelox. It's 3:30 am now as I'm writing this. I looked at this site and http://www.fluoroquinolones.org/ before decided to post my experience.
I am still very itchy, slight nauseous, and feel disoriented. I'm scared to lay down to sleep now, but hopefully that will wear off soon - but I feel very nervous, uncontrollably. I almost want to induce vomiting to maybe get out any of the drug that is left in my stomach, but hate vomiting.
I will not take another dosage of this Avelox, no matter what this doctor tells me...and will give him a piece of my mind for prescribing this instead of something like ammoxocillin or just penicillin.

November 14 I was given Avelox for a sinius and ear infection. My husband had taken the sam medication 4 weeks earlier and had absolutely no side effects what-so-ever. When my infection reaccured my doctor decided to give me Avelox since it was a stronger antibiotic. I took my first pill prior to going to bed. I woke up Saturday with a headache and a general feeling of being agitated and moody. I took the second pill and as the day went on I began to feel some tingling in my arms but contributed to a neuro test that I had had 2 weeks prior where they shock your nerves. The tingling got worse by that evening (Saturday). Sunday I took my third pill still relating the the tingling to possible nerve damage from the EEG. I had to keep shaking both arms from time to time because I was also experiencing some numbness. I took my 4 pill on Monday early am. By 9:00 the tingling was extensive and the numbness was also becoming more regular. During all this time I was having intermittent severe headaches as well. By Monday night I was going crazy with both my arms tingling constantly and then my left hand got really heavy, I reach up to rub my arm and realized I could not feel my shoulder. I got a needle and pricked it and could feel nothing. This brought back a severe allergic reaction I had back in the 80's to Vistaril. It clicked in my brain at that point that it was not nerve damage from the EEG but possibly an allergic reaction. I immediately went to the web and keyed in allergic reaction to Avelox and found this site. I was stunned. Needles to say I did not take the pill Tuesday and went straight to my physician. He was hard pressed to believe that my symptoms were being caused by the Avelox. I even brough copies of some of the entries on this site. He did not want to accept that but changed my antibiotic and said that if it was the medication then the symptoms would start to subside by Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon both arms were considerably better and by Thursday mid-day I was back to normal. I did tell my physician that although he might not be convinced I was 100% positive that it was an allergic reaction. I will be calling him today to let him know that I was right.

OMG! I can't believe what I'm reading! I had an infection that aggravated my asthma and was prescribed 40 mg of prednisone for 5 days and a 10 day supply of Avelox. It wasn't until the 6th day of taking the drug that I started to feel "weird". It felt as if I couldn't lift my arms, I couldn't get off of the couch, i couldn't think, my chest hurt like someone was sitting on it. I thought it was because of the prednisone even though I had never reacted to prednisone that way. Then I began to think I was having a heart attack. I took my girls to school on Monday and came home and went to bed. Then I went to bed extra early that night. I felt better the next day, but when I get to moving around, I start to feel weak all over. I wish I had looked this up first! I looked up prednisone side effects but never dreamed an antibiotic could do this to me. Never again.

I,m self employed, was on a deadline job, and couldn't miss work, when i came down with an upper respiratory infection. When I couldn't sleep (It hurt to swallow and breathing deeply hurt my upper chest), I decided to self medicate with an old amoxicillin script I found in the medicine cabinet. After two days the symptoms were gone and I continued to finish the script (two 875 mg a day for 6 days). On Oct 29, I seemed to have symptoms returning so I went to my PCP. He told me not to self medicate again and said he would have to put me on a stronger antibiotic - Avelox. I took my first of 10 doses that same day at 2pm. I had no noticeable reaction until I took the second dose the next day. It was about 4 hours later, and I was standing at the counter at Lowes when I started to feel sick. I was feeling dizzy and anxious and like I was going to faint. someone got me a stool to sit on and a bottle of water. Within a few minutes I had the urge to go outside for fresh air. That helped but as I returned inside the experience repeated. I finally told the man waiting on me that I'd better continue the transaction at a later time. The next thing I remember is being picked up off the floor and asking me if I was all right. At my insistence he helped me back out the door into the cold air. I refused an ambulance and after 10 minutes of rejuvenation in that fresh air I managed to drive the half mile home. A few hours after calling the doctors office they got back to me and said it was doubtful avelox caused it. I've been taking dose 3,4,and5 in the morning and every time I experience the same symptoms. Within a half hour of taking the drug I start to feel nauseated, start burping, am shakey and I start trembling. If I try to walk my legs are very weak and shaky. I experience feelings of anxiety, am somewhat disoriented and confused. I get tingling down my arms, I tremble and feel either hot or cold. I haven't fainted any more, but I often feel like I might. I'm halfway through my 10 day regimen and will have to consider quitting, after seeing all the similar reports on this website. I'll be discussing it with my doctor on Monday.

After taking my first pill, I experienced severe jaw pain. I've never had any reaction to any medication in the past, so I wasn't sure what the pain was all about. After taking the second pill my legs felt so weak I could barely walk. I actually woke up and thought I had MS. I called the doctor's office and they said to stop the pills immediately and that those were side effects from the antibiotic. I also, like others reported, received a coupon for a discount on this medicine.

Today I went to the minor emergency clinic locally and I was given 10 day samples of Avalox. My throat is very raw and I was sick, but didn't have a fever and I was welcoming the medications given to me, because I felt so sick. BUT... after leaving the doctor's office we went through a drive through to get lunch and continued across the street to go shopping for winter coats when I decided to take my new medicine with my food and water. Immediately, in less than five minutes I felt like throwing up, and I felt very very dizzy and weak. I almost couldn't get out of the car my head felt so thick and foggy. When we walked in the store, my husband had to hold onto me because I felt as if my equilibrium was off. I just felt so dizzy, we didn't even get to do the shopping. When we got back in the car I fell asleep right away and I remember thinking to myself in my sleep that I felt a huge tremendous pressure around my skull as if someone was squeezing it. But I was so tired I thought, well if my head explodes, that's ok I'm too tired to tell my husband. Now that sounds downright nuts, who thinks like that in their sleep? I was basically too drained to cry for help. I called the doctor's office to tell them about my reaction and they said that was definitely the antibiotic, not the allergy medicine and that if it continues when I take the pill tomorrow to call them.I'm asking for a Z Pack. I am glad I found this website, I feel it could have saved my life! I would have probably followed their advise. I am going to give them this link so they can read for themselves!

I'm a 46-year old male and went to my family physician 10/20/08 and was prescribed Avelox for an ear/sinus infection. Like others I've read about I also was given a (free) coupon/voucher for 10 pills redeemable at my local pharmacy. I ingested one 400mg tablet and went to work, within 1-hour I began feeling oddly all over having numbness passing across my arms and shoulders and had to leave work remainder of day. 10/21/08 I ingested pill #2 and that was the back breaker...within hours of taking the pill I began having numerous complications consisting of numbness in chest and arms, numbness in legs, I lost control of my muscles having wobbly legs and weakness in arms, I experienced neck fatigue, had weird receptor flashes, pain in my knee joints, continually thirsty...all these symptom generated panic attacks and paranoia and I was frightened thinking that something more medically severe was wrong with me. I began to think the only thing different is my ingesting Avelox, that's when I began researching the side affects and bingo the testimonials from others whom have taken this antibiotic have experienced same or similar complications indicating Avelox is at fault. Avelox is bad news period and I am so bummed that I was prescribed this devil antibiotic....this drug(antibiotic) must be taken off the market and I will support any cause that supports removal of this evil drug and I strongly urge that no person accept Avelox. My only regret is that I did not research this drugs potential side affects prior to ingesting. I have always felt reasonably safe taking medication prescribed my my family doctor but I now doubt my doctors competence in terms of awareness as it related to the consequences and/or endangerments the medications prescribed may have on any patients health.

My question is; can you and I count on the FDA to protect us? No we can't and that's disturbing because this is another case where another of our Federally controlled agencies has failed miserably, don't be mislead thinking that because it's federally controlled that We or all drugs prescribed are safe. What's the problem? The problem is there are to many powerful drug companies pushing new drugs daily/yearly and the FDA has no possible manpower means to keep up and thoroughly test and time evaluate each drug, large caliber drug companies are aware of this having millions invested in development of drugs therefore pressure for FDA releasement and the FDA crumbles allowing unproven and/or toxic drugs such as Avelox and others to pass into our pharmacy markets. Fact is not only does the FDA miss the boat but so do physicians, arguably many physicians spend little to zero effort actually researching the drugs the powerful drug company reps are pushing on them, as a result we have far to many doctors over medicating and/or prescribing dangerous and sometimes deadly drugs to their patients.

In closing many people have stated they have taken Avelox having no side effects, later these same people claimed they now are experiencing side affects. This invites curiosity; curiosity such as; what has changed? Why no previous side affects and suddenly the drug causes side affects leaved one wondering did the drug manufacture change the drugs chemistry components thus the once affective drug has now become a health risk. Lastly one must question who is chemically auditing/testing and how often are drug manufacturers audited to insure that a drug that passed FDA approval standards still meets health and safety requirements months and years later.

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus infection and bronchitis after relapsing twice following treatment with amoxicillin and Levaquin. The doctor had provided me with 12 sample packets and advised me to take (1) 400 mg tablet each day for 12 days. He then wrote me a prescription for another 14 day supply and advised me to wait to fill the prescription until I determined if I could tolerate the drug. That statement should have been a red flag for me, but, I didn't think twice about it.

I proceeded to take the Avelox for 9 days before the side effects kicked in. The first thing that I noticed was itchy skin. I didn't associate the itching with an reaction to Avelox right away because it was mild itching. By the 10th day, the itching was very severe all over my body. I took Benadryl and went to bed. When I woke up, my face had swelled up, my eyes were practically swollen shut, I had a rash on my entire body from head to toe but most noticeable on the upper half of my body. The itching was unbearable and my body kept going between chills with extreme shaking and teeth chattering to profusely sweating. At this point, I finally associated my symptoms with a reaction.

I stopped taking Avelox 5 days ago. It took two days and a bottle of Benadryl before the rash and swelling subsided. The severe itching also subsided after two days. However, I still have mild itching and some swelling. I've also had two severe migraines in this 5 day period along with fatigue and an upset stomach. I've also continued to experience chills and profuse sweating.

This is a wicked antibiotic. I would strongly advise against it. I've never experienced anything like this before. It's scary.

I had bronchitis (being an asthma sufferer, during a bad cold this is expected). I went to my doctor, who handed me 5 days worth od samples of Avelox (400mg). Approximately 1 hour after my first dose I started shaking, feeling dizzy and nervous, had an upset stomach and abdominal pain and was itching on my knees, wrists, ankles, legs, elbows, arms and neck. I called my doctor who told me it was a mild side effect and to continue taking it. So, I did. Considering that I had been out of work with bronchitis and lacked the time to start a new antibiotic, I decided to listen to my doctor. The side effects intensified. I have now been off of Avelox (which I will NEVER take again) for 4 days and I am still not side effect free. They have definitely lessened, but not completely gone away.

This is a HORRIBLE antibiotic. I implore all who read this...do not take Avelox. Get amoxicillin, Ceclor,, Erythromycin... anything else will do just as good a job without side effects.

I went to my primary doctor last Wednesday. He gave me samples for a 5 day regime of Avelox to treat a head/chest cold. Well, the cold does seem a little better, but, I would have never traded that to the side effects I am experiencing now! I took my first daily dose of Avelox last Wednesday. On Friday I thought I had dry skin. By Sunday I was itching so bad that it was almost unbearable. My eyelids are itching, burning and swollen, my forehead looks sunburned from the itching and scratching, my chest, stomach, back and thighs feel tingly and are itching NONSTOP. I am taking an antihistamine, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I hope this goes away. I cannot imagine what this drug does to people that have allergies and sensitivities to medications. I have never experienced an adverse reaction to medications before this. I would never recommend this drug to anyone.

MY HUSBAND HAD A HORRIBLE REACTION TO AVELOX AFTER TAKING 4 DAYS OUT OF TEN, HE CALLED THE DR. COMPLAINING OF MUSCLE/TENDON STIFFNESS AND PAIN. THE DR. DIDN'T SEEM TO CONCERNED SO HE TOOK IT FOR 3 MORE DAYS AND STOPPED AFTER DOING SOME RESEACH ON-LINE. (THANK YOU MEDICATIONS.COM OR HE MY HAVE TAKING THE FULL TEN DAYS.) NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE THE MUSCLE PAIN, HE ALSO SUFFERED FROM, HALLUCINATIONS, EXTREME MOOD SWINGS, WEAKNESS, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, LOSS OF APPETITE,(LOST OVER 20 LBS.), CONFUSION, PARANIOA, EYES WERE DISTANT(ZOMBIE LIKE). I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY HE WAS PRESCRIBED AVELOX, HE HADN'T EVEN BEEN ON AN ANTIBIOTIC IN OVER 15 YEARS. HE DIDN'T NEED ANYTHING THAT STRONG, AS HE 'S BEEN A HEALTHY 58 YEAR OLD MAN. I TRULY HOPE IT HASN'T CAUSED ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS SUCH AS LIVER DAMAGE. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF SO TIME WILL TELL. BOTTOM LINE NEVER TAKE AVELOX. 08/16/2008

My husband was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 14, 2008. He was given Avelox via IV in the hospital and a 7 day pill prescription when he came home. Even in the hospital, he complained of muscle aches, but no one keyed on the antibiotic as an issue. When his breathing was better, he assumed he should try to do physical activity...but when he tried to play some golf one day, and do a little deck staining another, he payed for it with severe joint pains...even then, no doctor said anything about the antibiotic. He has lost over 25 lbs since this began, and has lost absolutely all muscle tone in his body..

He's stopped trying to do anything, but the last month has been terrible for him...every joint in his body hurts--he can hardly walk, there were days he couldn't lift a fork to his mouth with one hand... I brought him back into urgent care on Aug. 9th...that doctor was the first to mention that it could be a side effect of the Avelox he had taken 3 weeks before...

Since then, we have been to his primary care doctor, who doesn't think "the Avelox has anything to do with it. Now that I've googled it and seen the new FDA warning, I can't understand any way it wouldn't be at least part of the problem!

He's been give Vicodin for the pain, and they're running more tests, but I intend to go into the doctor with every thing I've seen on this..I don't have a problem with them using this medication for his pneumonia, but am so frustrated that they didn't tell warn us of this side effect--especially when he's tried to tell them what he's feeling.... I just think he would have been so much better by now if they would have switched him off of the drug as soon as he noticed the pain..

My husband is in Nepal right now with a sinus infection. His doc gave him Avelox to take with him 'just in case'. So, with the blessing of the nurse practioner via phone, he took the Avelox. He called me in tears. I've been married for 7 years and believe me, my husband is never 'in tears'...he experienced an initial, intense flush on nausea and then became panicked, hyperventilating, paranoid, dizzy, and weak. I thought he was having a complete nervous breakdown. Then, the more I thought about it...it somewhat echoed a reaction that I had in the past to epinephrine...at the dentists office I was given a beta blocker with epinephrine in it, and immediately began to feel extreme panic, tears, shakiness, shortness of breath yada yada...and I'm someone who really could care less about the dentist. So. it turns out I'm "epi-sensitive" - anyway, upon recalling this...I mentioned to husband that perhaps he is not going insane, and instead is a having a reaction to the Avelox. So I checked online and am blown away by all of the horror stories. WTF? Why is this even being prescribed to people???? Why aren't we getting together a major class action lawsuit? I am just enraged. I called the emergency line to the doc's office...got a different doc, who said he never would have prescribed this antibiotic for sinus/ear infection.
WTF?!
That is specifically what is was prescribed for!!!
He said to take a benadryl and monitor symptoms - and that if there was ANY swelling to get to a hospital, pronto.
Spread the word! We are being experimented on with this drug.
What a nightmare.

I had a really bad case of strep throat because I thought it was a cold or flu and didn't go to the doctor for 12 days...but then I finally went because my throat hurt so bad and my glands were so swollen. I don't have insurance and maybe that's why the doctor gave me ten free samples of avelox right off the bat instead of just prescribing penicillin. I took the first dose and I would say my sore throat and swelling were 80% gone within the FIRST THIRTY MINUTES. So, definitely this is a very strong antibiotic compared to the Z-pak (zithromax) I've taken for bronchitis before. It's now day 4 and I have to say I am reluctant to take it for 10 days!! I haven't had any severe reactions, just bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, and some tiredness. And pretty strong nausea for the first hour, so I have been pushing the dose time from 9am to gradually later at night where I am not so sensitive. I am 33yrs old, healthy and eat well usually so I think my strong constitution has kept me from some of the more severe reactions I see above. HOWEVER, I do feel that it's a bit too strong! Surely there must be some way to lower the dosage of this antibiotic? I feel that it's worked well, but it just is too much like a SLEDGEHAMMER!

I WAS PRESCRIBED THIS MED. 1 WEEK AGO FOR AN EAR INFECTION FIRST SYMPTOM WAS STOMACH PAIN, EVEN THOUGH I ATE WITH IT. THEN DIZZY, HOT FLASHS, REALLY TIRED, DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED. THE PAST 3 DAYS I HAVE HAD PAIN IN MY MUSCLES IN MY ARMS AND MY HANDS ARE REAL SORE WHEN I TRY TO GRASP SOMETHING. I TRIED TO TAKE A WALK WITH MY HUSBAND 3 DAYS AGO AND MY LEGS FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO, LIKE LEAD. REALLY HAD TO PUSH.MYSELF TO MAKE IT BACK HOME.I FEEL MORE ANXIOUS THAN USUAL. AND WAS WONDERING WHY. WHEN I READ OTHER POSTS, I NOW KNOW WHY. LUCKILY I HAVE SOME XANAX TO RELIEVE IT. MY EAR IS FINALLY FEELING BETTER, BUT I PHYSICALLY FEEL TERRIBLE. I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH THIS STUFF. AND NEXT TIME, I WILL NOT LET THEM GIVE ME THIS ANTIBIOTIC. IT MAKES YOU FEEL WORSE THAN YOU FELT , TO BEGIN WITH.

I was given a free 10 day coupon for Avelox by a physician to treat an awful cold that wouldn't go away. He also wrote a prescription for, and I got it filled at a pharmacy, an inhaler. Avelox is the WORST medicine I have ever encountered in my 69 years!! I took it for 4 days and QUIT (today) the *^%(% thing. Who wants to be dizzy, crabby, anxious, short with people, impatient, thirsty all the time, constantly gasping for breath, and NO energy at all?
Bayer should be prosecuted, condemned for creating this poison pill. I can't believe this med it is still allowed for public consumption!??

Awful, terrible, unbearable painful anxiety, panic and depression that just would not let up after a 7 day dose. Each day it got worse and I didn't realize it was the Avelox. It took weeks and weeks to get out of my system, with the help of a doctor. This was truly the scariest ride of my life. I wanted to jump off the bridge to end the suffering but I knew I didn't really want to die, I just wanted to feel better.
I've never been depressed in my entire life. It was an unfamiliar feeling to me. The thought of suicide never entered my mind until this antibiotic.
This experience was unreal and I was robbed of months of my life because of it. So were my boys and husband. I thank god for the peace I have now and that it's over.
Don't take avelox. Even though it helps some, you never know if you'll be the one that will have a rare side effect. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Well, this is obviously a very strong antibiotic. I had a raging sinus infection and was in a lot of pain. The doc prescribed this along with prednisone. I think I tolerated it quite well. I did get side effects though. I didn't have insomnia. I had just the opposite. I was soooo tired that I had to take naps every day that I was on it. I also had heart palpitations where it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. It would take my breath away. It made me feel depressed also. I wouldn't take this again unless I really needed something strong. On the plus side, after 6 hours of taking it, I could feel my sinuses start to improve.

I took this after landing in the hospital with mono, strep and pneumonia. It seemed to work well to treat all of those (combined with another antibiotic) but it has bad side effects--dizziness, nausea, rash all over (arms and legs especially...and it gets worse in the sun), and i've also noticed little bumps all over my lips. I'm not sure if this was caused by the avelox or the famciclovir they gave me...has anyone experienced any of these side effects with avelox? I'm especially interested in anyone who has experienced bumps on their lips...

Was prescribed Avelox 400 mg tablets for a sinus infections (second one in a row.) Became severely depressed, crying in public places (and I am not a crier), couldn't sleep, headache and just felt disconnected all together. By day four couldn't take it any more and called the doctor. Was prescribed Azithromycin pack to clear things up.

I am glad I found this website to see that other people were having these same side effects because I was starting to think I was losing my mind.