Avelox and bronchitis

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.

My dad had taken Avelox 400 for 5 days prescribed by a doctor for Bronchitis. He is a cardiac patient as well. After 1 week he developed the following symptoms in the order: high fever, Swelling in the ankles and knees, mild jaundice, thick sputum, rashes all over the body, difficulty swallowing food, conjunctivitis affected like discharge from the eyes, poor mental co-ordination, skin tearing in the lips, diarrhea, difficulty passing stool, anxiety, confusion, low blood pressure, insomnia, slightly impaired vision. I only hope and pray he recovers soon. I really do not know why this drug is administered to people when there are other alternatives which are milder. This drug has not done any good to anyone.

Was prescribed avelox for bronchitis. Took it for the full ten days. began having diarrhea. It has been 5 weeks since i stopped taking the medication and have continued to have diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain. The diarrhea is a loose stool. Have had stool tests done and do not have a secondary infection from this.

Horrible side effects!!! Was just put on a 7 day of 400 mg. of Avelox for a bad sore throat, sinus infection and bronchitis cough & congestion. After taking the first pill the only good thing the pill did was ease my sore throat so I could swallow without a lot of pain. But I starting itching on my stomach and noticed pink hives but didn't link it yet to the Avelox. So I continued taking them for the next two days and started itching more on my stomach and also now on my shoulder/neck area from these pink pimple like rashes. I also started noticing that I wasn't sleeping and I was waking up through the night to drink water causing me to have incontinence. I also started getting horrible headaches and very high blood pressure. I would wake up during my sleep with this lumpy swollen feeling in the back of my throat. Also, my tongue felt like it was burnt, numb and tingling. After taking the fourth pill and since it was the weekend and my doctor wasn't in and being stupid I continued taking the med. Now by Monday I was on my fifth pill and I noticed that all these symptoms weren't going away. So I called my doctor and told her I wasn't continuing the last two days of the pills because of what was happening. She told me I was having bad side effects to the med and to stop taking them. I will never take Avelox ever again....a horrible med!!!

My doctor prescribed Avelox 400 mg tablets to treat pneumonia. I was warned by the pharmacist not to take it with my morning vitamins, so I took it 1/2 hour before bed time - needless to say I hardly slept. I started itching all over, my arms started tingling, my heart was racing a hundred miles an hour. Believe it or not I took another one the next night, and yep it happened again, I thought I was dying. My blood pressure dropped to 99/78 and my pulse was 50 - my normal vitals are 120/60, and pulse is 95. It seemed that within minutes my pulse jumped to 115 and my pressure was 138/90. I guess that is what an anxiety attach feels like. Then to top it all off, it felt like someone was pouring water in my veins, this feeling of rushing water ran from my fingers up my arms in into my shoulders then my heart would jump again; I had weakness is my legs and felt nausea the entire next day. I contacted my doctor with no return call, so I discontinued the medication. I do not believe the benefits of this medication out weigh the side effects. I will not ever take this medicine again. I will pray for healing for all of you, God bless and keep smiling.

Approximately 1 1/2 years ago I was given Avelox for Bronchitis. I had taken the drug several times without any Side Effects. Within 15 minutes of taking that dose I got a flush that started at my toes and went up to my head in seconds. Then I started to itch and broke out in hives. At this point my mouth started to swell and I knew this was bad. At this point I called my doctor's office and told them I had an EPI Pen at home should I use it. The nurse told me to take a Benadryl and that she would check with the DR and call me back. She said if the reaction got worse to just call the squad and go to the ED. The nurse called me back and told me to use the EpiPen and if this didn't help to call 911. It was pretty scary.

I recently had a severe Drug Reation to Avelox in April 2009. Within 5 minutes after taking it, I started with heart palpitations, very similar to an anxiety attack. My thinking started to get out control, my breathing became shortened and rapid, much like a panic attack. I started to itch, couldn't think and felt like I was losing control of everything. Within 10 minutes I knew it was getting worse. I had my husband call 911 and the operator told me to take benadryl while I was waiting for the squad, and I did. The squad was there in a reasonable amount of time. However, at this point I was so short of breath, I could barely walk & talk. I just collapsed as soon as I reached my porch steps. It nearly took me 1/2 hr before I could walk to the squad, only taking a few steps at a time and waiting about 5 minutes or more, before walking again. I hardly remember walking out to the squad and the ride to hospital. I remember being totally limp, and was
carried down my porch steps. I barely remember getting into the squad. I had to answer questions in short phrases, pausing several times to get enough breath to do so. I was told by the time I got to the hospital I was purple. After about an hour things started to calm down. I came very close to "buying the farm" that night and never want to experience anything like it again. I spent the next 7 days in the hospital, on oxygen and several medications to help me breath and clear the tracheal bronchitis.

I had bronchitis, beginnings of pneumonia so the Dr. gave me seven samples ov Avelox. Around day 4 I woke up and my left heel was in enormous pain. I could not put weight on it and I have been hobbling around for a week. If you pressed on the outside part of my heel near the achiles tendon it would send sharp pain through my foot. I believe it was a direct result of avelox because I had done no strenuous activity. All I had done was sleep and lay in bed trying to get better. Then I wake up and have this to deal with. I will not ever take this drug again.

I have been on Avelox for a severe bronchitis and sinus infection, i truly was pretty ill. Within 24 hrs of taking Avelox I was feeling so much better it was amazing!! I am asthmatic and have a host of allergies..but had none of the side effects many folk here have mentioned.

Avelox has to be taken with food to avoid nausea.

Avelox! :-(
I don't no where to start.. I initially went in to the doctor and was diagnosed with bronchitis and was prescribed Avelox. I had been on antibiotics before but never this one. Well I took my 1st dose and with in 30 minutes my mouth was consumed with a very bitter acrid taste. As I continued on taking 1 pill once a day, by pill 2 and 3; I was waking up in the middle of the night in a pool of sweat shaking the glads under my neck aching. It seemed that the floor and room was spinning. Pill 4 and 5, I experienced burning head ache, it felt like acid was slowly being poured over my brain and the diarrhea that I initially had in the beginning got worse not just watery but now slimy and mucusy along with the burning head ache that I'm having trouble even typing this comment, I have extreme heart burn even spiting up bial in my sleep. I have all of this going on while trying to make it to the bathroom room, room spinning and my heart is pounding and my legs are shaking so bad I can barley let my self down on the toilette. Pill 6 and 7, I have slurred speech and I can barely complete a sentence much less write this comment so please for give my typos. I've been lying in my bed thinking that I'm dieing trying to figure out witch one on my family members I should contact because something bad can happen and I don't know how bad it will get. As of right now 6:30pm central standard time May 7th I'm considering going to the emergency room! I just hope there is no permanent damage. I will have since discontinued my prescription and will let you know how it goes.

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 was given Avelox for bronchitis. I have taken 6 pills so far. My side effects were not as bad as what I have read here, but I did have them. I have tightness in my chest and I feel like I am on fire inside, even though my temperature is normal. I've had rapid heartbeat and dizziness, and shortness of breath.. Today after I took the pill I got the tightness again and decided to read up on this pill. I wish I would have found this site sooner.....I have been out sick for 6 days, I am now thinking I have been home sick from the side effects, as the coughing stopped 3 days ago,. Just flushed the last pill .......

I was diagnosis with bronchitis (sometime in December 2008) I was prescribed avelox, and took it for the 7 days . About a week or so later I started noticing little pimples (hives) on my stomach. I didn't make a big issue but then as time went on I started noticing red rash patches on my chest area and the the little pipples turned into little dry patches (hives) all over my stomach area and on my both sides of my waist to upper arm area.

Wow..well I finally went to the dermatologist (February 2009) and was told it was my body reacting to fluid from being sick and it does take a long time to take away. Today I still have the same hives and as I google more and more I am really believe that it was the Avelox. It is one thing to have an allergic reaction to medication but this issue seem to have occurred to too many people around the same time period.

I'm aged 36 and have been diagnosed with bronchitis with cough that has lasted for about a month now. My Doctor gave me 'professional samples' of Avelox that I've used for 3 days now.
The very first day, within an hour I could hear my own heart pounding and my left arm started to get numb. I thought I may be having a heart attack. I had joint pain (knees, ankles, wrists) soon after. Though it went away after 5-6 hours, it was quite scary. I started to have diarrhea.
The second day I had pain above my hips (kidney) and even though it went away, I was getting this little jolts like a quick 1-2 second electric shock inside that area. This really freaked me out and I thought this drug would kill me if I continued.
I complained to my Doctor about these and she said they were expected. I took it for the last time, the third day when I developed extreme nausea and giddiness.

The only good that came out of Avelox was it reduced my fever which was almost 103 before starting the dosage.

In December 2008, I was being treated for sinusitis and bronchitis with the antibiotic Avelox. I started taking it in a Thursday and by Saturday I was doubled over in stomach pain. I was also taking a steroid so I wasn't sure which drug was causing my pain so I called the Dr. office and they told me to lower the dose of the steroid. So I followed their instructions and the pain continued. I stopped taking both medications. Two weeks later I had swollen gums around some of my teeth, I thought to myself that I had left over Avelox so I decided to take one before I went to bed. I woke an hour later with anaphylactic shock and a pricey trip to the ER. Before I never had sensitive skin and now my skin has forever changed, thanks to the wonderful drug called, Avelox.

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 took my first pill two hours ago. With in an hour I was feeling short of breath, anxious, and "spaced out". I instantly started an on line search. The drug was given to me for bronchitis. I will not be taking any more of the pills and hope just one won't have done any permanent damage. I was also prescribed a puffer, and researching that, I find it contradicts with the Avelox. I am afraid to use it again until the Avelox is out of my system

My doctor prescribed Avelox for a nasty sinus infection with bronchitis. The moment I took the first pill I started feeling this ache in my mouth- like my upper teeth were going to fall. The ache will not go away and after the third pill hell broke loose. I was at work and I started getting severly disoriented, I could not put together coherent sentences, I went into a meeting with my boss and a coworker and I could not understand what they were telling me, I started writting in the board what I wanted to say so I could keep my toughts together and then I started yelling at my coworker without a reason. I went back to my desk to call the doctor and I just could not focus on placing the call - it took me probably like 15mins just to find and dial the number. I just could not tell coherently to the nurse what was going on. I could not remmember my pharmacy, my number or anything. Another couple of coworkers started to send me IMs due to urgent work and I tried to type them back and I could not figure out the position of the letters in the key board- everything was jumbled up and I had to read things like 100 times to understand what I was painfully trying to text back. My coworker and my boss seemed to be moving in slow motion. I freaked out!I just started crying and my boss had to call my husband to go and pick me up. I apologized to the coworker I yelled to and I just could not contain myself from sobbing. I had tremors all the drive back home. The nightmare lasted about 4hrs. My upper teeth are now hurting like crazy and I just started eating and at least now I am more coherent. This drug is insane!!!! How the FDA approved something like this? This was a torture and everything happened in front of all my coworkers as we have an open office environment. Everyone was just staring at me since I just looked like I was crazy. I do not know if this will affect my career and I can not stop thanking God that today I did not meet with any suppliers. I am afraid of taking Tylenol for the pain in my teeth and I do not want to take anything else. I rather deal with the bronchitis instead of having another episode like this again.

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.

33yr Male, fairly fit. South Africa.
(very cautious on any drugs or illness - thanks for the internet for research)
About 5 weeks ago I developed severe sinusitus (headaches, dry nasal paths burning like hell, irritating eyes, sore throat...) Doctor prescribed the usual Augmentin SD. this cleared the nose, pain, throat. On the last day of the course, my chest started burning, together with coughing. Diagnosis was bronchitis (not pneumonia). so the doc prescribed Avelox for 5 days.
The pharmacist took great care in explaining all the side effects to me, and warned me to rest enough, drink lost of water (as with many medicine), don't take multi-vitamins or supplements with iron, zinc, magnesium, and most important that for 6 weeks not to do any exercise, not even walking too much, as your muscle tendons can be damaged. (I even stopped working in the garden, or lifting heavy boxes)

Taking the advice, I got better, and up to today (2 weeks since last pill), I haven't had any side effects as mentioned here. I will continue to check for any in the next few weeks.

I had been suffering from bronchitis for over a week; my doctor believed that it may have been developing into pneumonia so he prescribed a seven day supply of Avelox along with an inhaler (for my congested airways). About an hour after taking the second pill (day two) and a couple puffs from the inhaler, it felt as if my throat was spasming (possibly closing), my chest hurt, and I felt incredibly anxious. I actually called 911 (which I have never done before) and the EMS suggested I stop using the inhaler. So I did. I stupidly finished off the week's worth of Avelox (yesterday 11/9) and am still struggling with moderate to severe anxiety. My stomach has hurt almost all day today, and it still feels at times as if my throat is spasming. Has anyone else experienced this?? I thought it may be anxiety-related, but now I'm not so sure.

I'm seeing my doc again tomorrow and plan on telling him that I never want to use Avelox (or any fluoroquinolone) again!!

I had asthmatic bronchitis and was prescribed Prednisone and the Z-pack. A week after those were done, I was still coughing like crazy with wheezing so my doctor put me on Avelox. About 2 hours after my first dose, I was feeling extremely loopy - kind of "out of body"ish - like just before you're going to faint - light headed, muffled hearing, needing to get outside to get air. Just generally weird. I was nauseous, had (actually still have...tmi?) a pretty serious case of diarrhea...but didn't associate it with the medication. It wasn't until I looked online at side effects that I realized that it was the Avelox doing this. I'm sooooo glad I found this site - sounds like things would only get worse if I kept taking it. I only took 3 out of 7 pills, so I'm hoping I dodged a bullet here

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.

Sorry, meant to say -"The warning packet and the website for Avelox both state not to combine Avelox and Prednisone, as well as using caution when prescribing for the elderly, which i see some of your doctors have NOT done"

Most of these problems i see aren't Avelox related, they're DOCTOR related. The warning packet and the website for Avelox both state not to combine Avelox and Prednisone, as well as using caution when prescribing for the elderly, which i see some of your doctors have done. While I do feel sorry for those of you that have experienced problems and my condolences go out to those whose relatives committed suicide, I have been prescribed Avelox twice for bronchitis and have not had a single problem yet.

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 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!??

I've been on Avelox for just two days of a five day prescription, for bronchitis. Only side effect I've noticed is increased, uncomfortable-to-painful bowel movements; this is to be expected, though, because a strong antibiotic gets rid of ALL bacteria, the good and the bad, and the intestines are infested with the stuff. This also the reason many women (myself included) get yeast infections from taking antibiotics.

Maybe I'm not having as hard a time because I drink 2 liters of water per day, work out regularly, and take vitamins and supplements with every meal.....? Perhaps it's because the newer antibiotics - Avelox, Augmentin, Cefalexin, Cipro - are simply too much for some people's systems to take....? If I were aged, obese, on medication for other health issues, or were otherwise in less than optimal health, I'd might be having a much worse time of it now.

My grandfather at 86-years-old was prescribed Avelox for bronchitis. The warning on the medication listed by Bayer, the company that makes the drug, states that extreme caution should be used when administering to the elderly. He was also prescribed prednisone, which is a drug that is listed that should NEVER be mixed with Avelox. My grandfather took his own life on April 22, 2008, with no warning signs. He was fine when my grandmother left to go to the store and when she returned, she found him. No other family should have to go through what ours has been through in the past nine days!!!! Do not take AVELOX!!!! We just want to prevent one family from going through what we have been through by warning people about this horrible drug. Doctors need to pay more attention to warning labels and drug interaction- someone needs to stand-up and take some responsibility for medications that harm rather then help!

My dad at age 86 was given Avelox for bronchitis, also prednisone. He was on the Avelox for 6 days. Side affects included vomiting, nausea, bad taste in mouth (already had a reaction from Z-pak with an infection in his mouth), tiredness, fluctuations in blood sugar (not diabetic), pain. One minute he seemed to be okay and the next minute he said he was sick. We were not aware of the side affects. Was taken off the medication due to the side affects on the afternoon of Monday, April 21st. Sometime Tuesday morning between 9-10:30 he committed suicide. I am sure it is related to this drug. Please do not let anyone that you love take this drug. It has almost destroyed my mom. and my dad is now gone forever.

OMG. Started taking Avelox and a cough pill at the same time. Thought the shakes were from being tired from not sleeping since I've had a sinus infection and coughing all night. Wondered if it was just in my mind. Went to the doctor. Told me to stop taking the cough pill. Sent me to the hospital for EKG. Called back and wants me to go to a heart specialist a.s.a.p for changes noticed since last EKG. Scared me badly. I'm only 42. Looked this up on the internet. Told pharmacist about problems. He said he never had anyone have any of my symptoms. Said to stop taking Avelox and drink a lot of water to help flush it out. Won't get out of my body for over 24 hours. Don't think our emergency room would have any clue how to help me since it isn't an allergic reaction just a side effect. Evidently most people who had trouble with this horrible drug have survived to write about it which gives me hope that I will too.

I will never take this drug again - I was prescribed it for bronchitis along with prednisone. I have severe asthma and have been taking prednisone for short periods without problems since childhood. My first and only dose caused hives, itching, dry heaves, and severe chest pain and heart palpitations. Ended up going to the hospital by ambulance - Where I was ignored for 5 hours - apparently they thought I was seeking narcotics (overheard one of the nurses) for the chest pain. Ridiculous, I don't suppose my body covered with hives was faked too - I know that some people abuse medications but I am not one of them!!! I didn't even ask for pain meds. Anyway, I still feel pretty shaky today...but relieved that they gave me a different antibiotic - Hopefully the prednisone will help with the allergic reaction. Good luck to all of you and get well!

had a sinus infection after a cold- z pack did not work - was given prednisone and 21 days of avelox - after 7 days had a lot of dizziness and lightheadedness - feeling hot and warm - tongue feels hot and inflamed and worst headaches - no more sinus infection - stopped the drug - anyone know how long it might take for headache to abate after stopping this drug.?? please email me at marlenie1955@yahoo.com. thanks.

I have bronchitis and my doctor prescribed Avelox. I have never been allergic to anything so I thought that I would be fine. So, took it for the first time yesterday and by 7pm I was having tingling all in my arms. I really didn't know which meds would have caused it. I am also on Prednisone and Hydro -PC for cough. Went to the doctor this morning they wanted to see me....he assumed that it was the cough medicine and took me off of it. Took my antibiotic this afternoon and guess who has tingling in arms and legs...Yeah, I am coming off of this. I have been talking my self through a panic attack, can't sleep and my eyes are kinda droopy. My face feels weird.....I will never take this again.

I took Avelox for the 1st time 3 days ago for a sinus infection. After the 1st pill I began sneezing uncontrollably. I didn't sleep a wink that night. I took my 2nd and 3rd dose the next few days and literally had not slept for 3 days straight-total INSOMNIA. My hands and legs felt so tingly I had no idea what was happening. I felt faint. Then my mouth became so dry. I couldn't breathe-all I kept thinking was my throat was closing up. It was horrible. My teeth hurt, my lips were swollen and dry,my vision was blurry,vomiting,loose stool.... My eyes were sore and swollen and I had no idea I was having an allergic reaction to the Avelox. Today is the 1st day I haven't taken a dose and I'm still feeling funky. Tight chest and blurred vision bad.I am severely fatigued. I just wonder how long this medicine stays in your system.

Avelox - someone needs to get a class action lawsuit going. I was put on this Friday (2/8/08) for pneumonia. The MD said it was a great very strong antibiotic and would kick in really quick. Within 4 hours I was having some problems with urine dribbling out - something I've NEVER had before. By the next day I was having to change pads every 30-60 minutes with gushes every time I coughed - and that made me go through multiple pants until I started to use my babies diapers. By the third day I couldn't leave home. My pneumonia was much worse, as if I hadn't taken any antibiotics for it at all. I stopped the Avelox and went back to urgent care - the doctor didn't even argue that my pneumonia was worse, one listen to my chest and he was quite concerned. He put me on Zithromax and I'm doing better as far as the pneumonia.

The bladder incontinence is still bad and hasn't let up even though I haven't taken any Avelox for 3 days. I called Bayer's branch that makes this stuff to file a complaint and the customer rep said "You must be unusual, there have been no complaints of bladder incontinence with Avelox before." She barely listened to me and told me to go back to my doctor to see if he could help - which he can't because he has no experience with this and would have to call the drug manufacturer anyway! She was totally unsympathetic and when I got upset would put me on hold for several minutes and then pick up again.

If you look at Avelox from a marketing standpoint, NO patient would take it if they ended up in diapers! I know I wouldn't - so they sell it hoping to sneak it by and make money. Only they have now damaged my body and I don't know if I'll ever be back to normal. I'm still suffering from sensitivity to light too - which they claim is a false side effect but has been really severe for me too. Can hardly drive during the daytime now when I've gone to the doctor as the light is sooo strong for my eyes.

When I told the doctor that the Avelox had made two of my joints painful to the point I could not lift my baby or kneel on one leg, he said not to worry. I hadn't been on it long enough for the tendon to rupture. WHAT??? That wasn't listed as a side effect either but obviously THAT has happened enough (and can be proven) that the drug company has told doctors about it.

Someone needs to hold these drug companies accountable for the damage they do...

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus infection and bronchitis. I didn't have any problems with the Avelox until after the second dose. By the third dose, my abdomen was extremely distended- to the point that I could barely eat b/c the pressure from my abdomen was pressing into my chest area and caused trouble breathing. I saw my doctor after the 3rd dose and explained how bloated I was. She told me that sometimes antibiotics upset your stomach. I was told that I didn't have to take any more of the Avelox (which I wasn't planning to take anymore anyway). It has now been 8 days since I've taken Avelox. I am still bloated. I think the bloating is slightly better. But I'm still miserable and wondering when I will feel better. I dread eating because I know I'll feel worse when I do. I'm just thankful that I haven't had some of the other reactions I've read about here. I'll never take Avelox again.

I was given Avelox for a sinus infection and bronchitis 2 days ago.
I have COPD, CNS, STROKE, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY and other health conditions and wasn't feeling well at all.
My first pill made me feel out of it and then my lips started to tingle and felt numb.
I asked my brother to look at them and he said they looked ok to him.
I also have pill a phobia so I thought maybe it's just my imagination? But...
I got on the net and seen all the post's and though I was told these side affects were rare ...I seen they aren't that rare!!!!!
I tried calling my doctor to get a different medication but could not get a hold of him.
I was sick and not able to get a hold of my doctor ,so I took the pill the next day and my lips did the same thing but worse....this time they swelled up and the inside of my lips are raw.
I called the pharmacy and they said to stop taking them I was having an allergic reaction to them and I need to take Prednisone and Benadryl right away.
I called the doctor again and still no response!!!!
It took the pharmacy all day to reach him themselves to help me!!
Finally, they got a hold of him at 8:30PM.
Today I am now taking amoxicillin, Prednisone and Benadryl.
The swelling has gone done, but my lip's are still raw and I feel very shaky.
I will never take this medication AGAIN!
With all my health conditions I do not no why my doctor gave me this medication!!!
I find that doctor's love to hand out all these new medications like candy.......when they don't know anything more about them than what pharmaceutical companies tell them.
They do no research on them themselves!!!

After exactly 2 hours of ingesting the Avelox 400mg. pill, I suddenly felt a sensation of vertigo as I was standing in my kitchen talking with my young daughter. This was followed by extreme dizziness. I had to lie down for the next hour and a half as I had no balance. I felt slight nausea as well. I spoke to the pharmacist on the phone and she said these symptoms were fairly common (2-5%) and I should try to continue taking the drug the next day, "if I could stomach it." It was very hard speaking to her as I was also experiencing severe confusion; it was hard to form my thoughts and to string them together into a sentence. I went to bed feeling groggy but slept okay for most of the night; only slight insomnia in the early morning hours. The next day, I felt physically and mentally disoriented; I was incapable of driving my daughter to school and my mind felt completely "zonked out of it" -- "stupid" -- like my mind was almost a blank. It's a shame because my sinuses and bronchitis felt a bit clearer already -- but I simply could not go through that experience again -- I have a life to lead and can not spend 9 more days incapacitated, lying on a couch and incapable of looking after my 4 year old daughter. I usually take medicines just fine and am not prone to side effects, so this experience took me totally by surprise.

In April of this year I was prescribed Avelox for bronchitis,The first time prescribed was for 5 days, did have minor hives but didn't put two and two together....my infection did not improve so doctor wanted to try one more 5 day Avelox treatment. The first night of the second Avelox treatment ended in ER with anaphylatic shock. Warning signs started about 15 minutes after taking pill, excessive itching of hands and then thighs,nausea, sweating, gray coloration of face and then severe short breathing.

I had broncial or sinusitis infection and always cough to release mucus. My Immunologis prescribe me 10 day avelox. After six or seven days I am having chest pain at right side close to armpit. It pain every take deep breath in chest. It also pain every time coughing. After all pills finish I still have mucus and I feel pain in my chest every time I inhale. I couldn't stand the pain when coughing. I never had alergic to medicine before and this the first medicine that I knew I had severe reaction. The last pil I take is two days ago but my pain in chest not decreasing. I also had reaction like rash, the skin in my scrotum feel very ithcy and hydrocortisone not helping much since I take avelox. This medicine should be banned.

I was put on Avelox for bronchitis and early signs of pneumonia. I was given 5 pills and told to continue to take them no matter what. That night I took a pill and went to bed. The next evening is when my troubles started. Initially, my left leg went numb. I called an on-call nurse's line to ensure that I was not in immediate danger. The next morning, both of my legs went numb, as did my feet and I experienced tingling in my hands. ER gave me an anti-inflamatory and said I was fine. One day went by with almost no numbness or discomfort. Today (day 4) I went to work, only to begin feeling a numbness in my spine - top to bottom -followed by both legs, feet, shoulders, and face. I had tingling in my hands and in my arms. My ears were extremely hot and itchy, as was my throat and my eyes. This time the ER paid a little more attention, but ruled that I was allergic and told me not to take my (last) pill. After reading all of this, I am praying that such symptoms do subside. I will be reading up on this pill.