Levaquin and benadryl

I am 35 years old and I live in Jacksonville, NC. Five days ago I was prescribed Levaquin for a serious sinus infection. After taking the first pill, I kept telling my husband I felt weird. Like I was numb. This was Saturday. By Monday I had no feeling in my face, no sense of smell or taste. It was horrible. By Monday eve my heart was pounding. I felt like it was coming out of my chest. I was so dizzy and I found it hard to concentrate. I woke up Wed. morning telling my husband I felt weird. I felt like I couldn't move my eyes and I couldn't feel the left side of my body. My lip on the upper right was swollen with blisters. Not to mention they were so dry because it seemed like no matter how much I was drinking I could never stay hydrated. By lunchtime Wed my left side of my body became very hot to where I was actually sweating under my armpit on the left side and my right side was cold. My heart began to race very badly, I became very dizzy, I felt like I couldn't breathe, my throat felt like it was swelling up and I couldn't swallow, then I started to shake uncontrollably, my body broke out in the horrible hives/rash. My blood pressure soared to 198/109 my pulse was 148. Then everything went black and I lost conscious. When I woke I was told I was unconscious for nearly three hours and that they injected me straight in the neck with epinephrine and injected me in my arm with 50 cc of Benadryl. They told me that they believe I suffered a serious reaction from Levaquin. It is the day after, cant even go to work, so weak and have the worst case of diarrhea you could possibly imagine. I was not even aware that the FDA put a black box warning on this drug. Meaning it is the worst warning you can have without removing it off the market. What the hell is wrong with these doctors? Why the hell would you keep giving that poison to us if you know it has such severe reactions. I am a mother of five and yesterday I thought my kids were going to be without a mother, that is how bad it was. I still have the bouts of paranoia and swear I am seeing things. My mind is a blur to most of yesterday. I still have no feeling on the left side of my body, or my face. I still cant taste or smell anything either. I am having bouts of dizziness and anxiety. I only consumed four of the 750 mg tablets, they gave me seven. They have prescribed me a different antibiotic, however because of yesterday, I am petrified of taking any medications, even Tylenol.

Knew about the sun sensitivity of many drugs so that didn't bother me so much, HOWEVER, the rash is gonna kill me! I itch everywhere! Ok, maybe not _everywhere_ but the joint areas and my back are the worse. My ears itch too. Called the nurse, line, took two Benadryl waiting on them to call back, will probably just OD on the cough syrup and pass out for the night. Crap! I was only one dose from done tonight. I had/have pneumonia and a wicked sinus infection. Maybe it'll be enough to pull me through. I hate taking anything if I can avoid it.. hate it more when I have a reaction. My last drug reaction was Penicillin when I was a kid .Cut foot, got blood poisoning, and ended up with raspberry type of rash all over my extremities from the drugs.

I just finished a 10-day prescription of 500mg per day for a sinus infection. I have had accelerated heart rate, pain in my joints, and have been very irritable. After the last dose, I broke out in hives all over my body and had to run to the store at 2am to grab some benadryl to counteract the effects. I can't believe that my doctor would prescribe me something like this with the huge number of comments I have read online in the past 24 hours

I was prescribed 750 MG of Levaquin after a ER visit on Saturday, August 16th for a sinus infection. Both Saturday and Sunday I had diarrhea. I took the second pill on Sunday and I did not sleep the entire night. I was sweating so much. I felt out of sorts and scared in my own home. I started to turn on the lights. I even tried to sleep with my bedroom light on. It was an awful night to say the least, I won't go into all of the details. But I did start to question not only my physical health but mental. I knew I had been stressed out, but this never happened to me before. I was not able to work Monday. I took the third pill Monday not realizing this was all a reaction to the antibiotic. I was speaking to a close friend late Monday afternoon about my horrible night. I did not tell her what I was taking. She informed me that one time she was taking a antibiotic, Levaquin, and that she had a similar reaction and even hallucinated. I was relieved to know that I was not loosing my mind but it was the medication. I called my doctor's. office and they said stop taking it. They said they were aware that this had happened to some patients. Gee, thanks for telling me in advance. They suggested I take Benadryl to help me sleep. Needless to say, what a horrible experience I had. And this night was worse. I was sweating even more, could not sleep, tried to take a shower to cool off and then I started to hallucinate. I tried talking myself out of it, but the medicine was too strong. I called my God Mother and she talked me through it. Again, all the lights had to be on, I felt very anxious and scared. IT WAS AWFUL. If you have a sensitive system I would not take this! It is now August 21st and I still can not sleep. I am still out of sorts. I wish I knew in advance. All I know is I am telling everyone I know, DON'T TAKE LEVAQUIN!!!

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 MG for a sinus infection5 days ago. After completing my third dosage I felt a sensation on my toes as if something was biting me. Then it started on my fingers, hands and up and down my arms. My toes and fingers started to swell. The rash then came up the backs of both legs. My feet felt as if they had been burnt very badly.They look like they have been very badly burned. I phoned the doctor and was told to take Benadryl (2 pills) ever 6 hours and to come into the office first thing the next morning. I did and was told to never take Levaquin again. I was prescribed Augmentin. Two days later and I still have the red burnt look on the tops of my toes and the sides of my feet. It looks terrible!

On June 17, 2008 I had an emergency appendectomy. They put me on Levaquin in the recovery room. By the time I got to my room I was covered in a horrible red itchy rash--I layed there scratching like a squirrel for hours. When I told the nurse, she said everyone has that reaction and she put Benadryl into the IV. They CONTINUED to give me the Levaquin with a Benadryl chaser until I couldn't take the itching any longer. Finally changed the IV to Cipro---no more itching! I am home now, very very sore and extremely tired. I could have done without that rash-----it is still all over my arms, neck , chest and back--very RAW because I scratched like crazy! Hopefully in a few days it will disappear. Will NEVER take Levaquin again, that's for sure!!

I was prescribed 250 mg Levaquin once daily in mid-January for a Group B strep UTI. The night I took the first dose, I had trouble sleeping but didn't think that much of it. But the sleeplessness and anxiety grew over the next few days, and by the morning after I had taken the fourth dose, I was feeling extremely edge. Also, on that day i started feeling itchy and my face got hot and quite red. I took an Allegra and called my doctor, who said I should discontinue the drug. Three weeks later, I had my chin waxed at the same place I'd been having it done for years; I hadn't realized how messed up the Levaquin made my skin, but I had two large burn marks afterwards (which fortunately cleared up in about a week). I've also been having a rash on my neck, which I've been treating with Allegra and Benadryl cream.

I can not believe I found this web-site. I honestly felt like I was going crazy and that this was in my head. I was prescribed Levaquin for a sore on my finger to fight infection. I was taking 750mg every morning, once a day. The morning of the 8th day, I woke up and felt like I had been ran over by a truck. I felt foolish telling my family even the "back of my knees hurt." By the evening of that day, after laying in bed for just 45 minutes, I couldn't put down my right leg or put any pressure on it. I haven't taken the Levaquin for 24 hours now and it still hurts to try to open doors because my hands are so cramped. Does anyone else feel dizzy? All of sudden I just won't beadle to focus and my head hurts, only last a few seconds, but it is definitely there. Does anyone feel they have long term pain or affects of this drug? This is unbelievable that so many of us fell this way. Just yesterday I was at the doctor because of the pain. He instructed my to stop taking the Levaquin and told me, he has never hear of anyone feeling this way, but it is listed as one of the side effects and is very rare. Apparently it isn't that rare!! Glad I found you guys.
Stacy

I took my first Levaquin pill at 8:30 at night. A short time later, I felt kind of funny, like my mind was separate from my body. I figured that I was just sleepy. Then, my bottom lip felt slightly itchy & swollen. I told my husband I might be having an allergic reaction, but he couldn't tell any difference in my appearance. Next, my bottom gum started to feel swollen. When I went to the restroom, I noticed a red bump on my upper thigh. I was becoming suspicious, but tried not to worry about it. Then, I felt my face flushing, but it didn't appear red enough for my husband to be concerned about. I checked on my legs a few more times & after seeing more red dots appearing, I knew I was having an allergic reaction. I popped 2 Benadryl pills & yelled at my husband to take me to ER. My face was burning so badly, I had to open the windows on the way too cool off. I calmed myself down by telling myself that it was just my adrenaline. When I got to ER, it was 10:30, but it felt like only an hour had passed since I took the Levaquin. I told the ER staff I was having a mild allergic reaction, but in reality, it was worse than that. I waited patiently until I looked in the mirror & saw that my neck was pink & covered with hives & welts. It came on so suddenly that I freaked out & ran for help. They quickly administered steroids & said it was good that I took Benadryl. By then, more hives started to appear on my body. I noticed red patches on my hands, too. Although I could breathe alright, my throat was real dry & I was having a hard time swallowing. The doctor said the Benadryl was making my throat dry. I gradually started to feel better & my head started to feel more clear. Two hours later, most of the hives disappeared & I was dismissed. The next day, however, I woke up with tightness & dull tingling in my knee joints & areas above my wrists. I figured it was due to dehydration. By the end of the day, the tightness went away in those areas, but traveled to the areas above my thumbs. That finally went away, too. After reading the side effects, I now know that Levaquin was to blame for those uncomfortable sensations.

I got sick. It lasted longer than usual. I was coughing up phlegm and I had sore throats on and off. It would get a little better then get worse. After about a month of this I developed a Pleurisy or a Pleuritis, in which I had a terribly painful cough.
I finally went to the doctor.
First my doctor prescribed an antibiotic which was not Levaquin. It didn't work.

Then she prescribed Levaquin. I had instructions to take 10 pills, once a day. After the first couple of days, I developed a skin rash, all over my torso. I went to several websites including this one to read up about Levaquin and its possible side effects. Most said, to stop taking it.

I tried to stop the rash by taking Benadryl, at night. So I took Tylenol PM. I found that the rash was smaller in the morning. So I stayed on the Levaquin. At the end of the 10 days of Levaquin, my chest still hurt a little when I coughed. About a week after finishing my prescription, the pleurisy pain was gone. I am so glad I stayed on the drug.

We took our 16 year old son to Urgent Care as he was very sick and a high fever. The Urgent Care doctor prescribed Levaquin 500 mg. After the 2nd pill my son could not speak clearly, his jaw was very strangely crooked and he could not hold it in place, his face muscles were twitching, I was so scared I thought he was having a stroke!!! I rushed him to ER and the doctor said they could not believe that a doctor prescribed this to a minor as that is illegal without a parent consent!!!! This drug is NOT to be give to minors and I cant believe that the Urgent Care doctor did not tell us that along with any side effects it may have. I know I should be informed myself, but when we rush our child to the Urgent Care because he is sick, we trust the doctor when he prescribes just an antibiotic!!!! I am wayyyyyyyy more upset and mad that the doctor did not mention AT ALL that this drug IS NOT TO BE GIVEN TO MINORS WITHOUT A PARENT CONSENT. If we had knows this we would not take a chance on it. I would want a normal antibiotic that my son has taken before. If it is harmful to kids, I don't recommend an adult take it. Children are not done gowning and all kinds of things could have happend to my son. I was never more scared of anything in my entire life, my son was crying cause all the SUDDEN he could not talk and his face was all distorted.... so scary. PRAISE GOD that my son is all better now except for a cold, still and he is very athletic and seems to be getting better with no aches or pains. The ER doctor did recommend Benadryl and when my son took this his symptoms went down and the drug was out of his system in 2 days. I know he will be great as that is what we PRAY for but I thought this was very good info to pass along. If anyone experiences these symptoms you now know someone who has been through it and what the ER doctor recommend for us. Take care, please be healthy....

As I write this, I'm on my fourth day taking Levaquin 500 mg. prescribed by my doctor for severe nasal congestion, sore throat, difficult cough. I have bouts like this on a yearly basis that start around Thanksgiving till late spring. I do remember taking Levaquin before though didn't notice anything bad (yet). As I read through different messages, I now come to realize that maybe I should go back and check the time I took Levaquin because I've been suffering from so much muscle aches and pains for a quite a very long time now. Since I started taking Lipitor 3 years ago, I'm inclined to think my pains were due to side effects of Lipitor. That's just another issue.

As of yesterday afternoon, on the third day of taking Levaquin, I was informed by my pharmacist that I OVERDOSED since Friday and Saturday by 2000 mg. I was prescribed 500 mg. one tablet per day. Whoever typed "Take one tablet every day by mouth after meals" in the pharmacy must have too many "ssss" in their pockets. "After a meal or after meals" are definitely not the same, don't you all agree? I didn't just read the label and followed instructions as I understood it. The pharmacist confirmed what I read back to him as typed. I thought pharmacists know how a certain drug should be taken. But that's another story to tell. I'm too concerned learning about the bad effects of Levaquin for me to find time and question a pharmacist integrity.

I called my doctor first thing today and told them of this oversight (should it be mine or the pharmacist?). I was told to continue with the medication and call them how I'd feel in a couple of days. So I took just one tablet today. That was easy.

Now after reading all these different bad things happening to people taking Levaquin, I am thinking of the future. Should I be worried about the bad side effects of Levaquin taken exactly as prescribed? What about those 2 days of overdose? I guess, I have to find that out myself in due time as I will not stop from finding out more about this drug.

I don't think I will continue taking this drug tomorrow. I don't know what will happen but I'm sure my doctor will find a way to fix my upper respiratory problems. He must have heard about other patients complaining about Levaquin. I will make sure he will take my opinion seriously.

To all of your valuable inputs and opinions and warnings about the harsh effects of Levaquin, thank you very much and may you continue on passing to one and all your valuable insights. Count me in!!!!!

Tomorrow will be a new day and I will be on my toes making sure I will fight the harsh side effects as early as I could. I know it will be worth the fight if I kick these damaging effects at its early stage, hoping I will be lucky to do so.

God Bless to all!

I had been suffering from a lingering sinus infection that lead to having Epididymitis (testicular pain). My doctor gave me Levaquin (750mg)/day for 14 days. I read and check with the her about the drug. On the third day I woke up with a terrible itch on my legs. I took my dosage for the day at 7 AM and by 8AM I was in the ER. I had such a reaction to Levaquin that my blood pressure had dropped to 71/49. As soon as I started to feel the effects of reaction I took Benadryl. That saved my life.

I was put on a 5-day dose of Levaquin, and am on my 4th day. After the first dose, I started to get severe itching and pain in my vaginal area. I know it's a yeast infection because I had it once before. I have also had really bad insomnia for the past two days. Called my doc; she told me to continue the medicine and perscribed Diflucan and monistat 3-day. She also said to take Benadryl for itching, but I am feeling really tired already, and I think the Benadryl would just make it worse. I am very tempted to stop taking this med right now, but not sure if it's ok to do that. Has anyone else gotten a yeast infection from this? Thanks, and I hope everyone starts to feel better soon.

Unfortunately I also experienced such side effects from Levaquin to the degree that I feel I was poisoned. I was prescribed Levaquin April 2004 and a week later developed a 2" x 1" oval rash on my front hip area and had severe muscle aches and joint pain. My doctor prescribed a fungus cream for the rash (what???) and ran extensive blood and urine tests. The rash began multiplying daily until it covered half my entire body.
More tests (scared me to death -testing for Lupis, HIV, Hepatitis, etc.)
After all negative, he suggested I see a dermatologist and an allergist.
Rash worsened, could not sleep at all, not sure if it was from constant itch?? Non of the prescriptions from the dermatologist worked but a sample packet of "sarna or sarno?" helped dull the itch. Now it was a month since I started the Levaquin. A friend drags me to the ER. They actually get a cop in there to ask me if I have been beaten...um, no...I did it to my self..All the itching has caused me to scratch myself to the point of bruising all over. They ran a few tests and came running in with 2 doses of benedryl shots...said my eosinophils level was off the charts and that I had been having an alergic reaction to "something". Ah!! (duh!!) So I go home and search the internet... severe red rash, itching, insomnia, muscle aches, joint pain, allergic reaction....what comes up...levaquin levaquin and more levaquin. How did my own doctor who prescribed this to me not realize that this was an allergic reaction??? Most of my symtoms subsided 6 weeks later (after filling the scrips from the er for benadryl, prednisone and something else) but it was truly 6 weeks of hell and for a while there, I did not think it was ever going to end. Hope this info helps anyone who thinks they may be having a reaction to levaquin.

I was a healthy 59 year old woman until my doctor prescribed Levaquin for a minor eye pain. I was taking 500 mg. a day for 6 days and on the seventh day I broke out with thousands of hives all over my entire body.I also had severe chest pains and a terrible pain in my back and jaw. I thought I was having a heart attack. The doctor examined me and took an EKG. I had a normal EKG it was not a heart atatck. My physican precribed benadryl and sent me home. A few days later I started with a terrible burning in my esophagus and stomach , and the terrible hives continued. I went back to my doctor and he precribed Zyrtec. The Zyrtec helps the hives to "sleep". I find that 22hours into the 24 hour pill I start to see all of the hives popping out and itching. The doctor gave me a fat free .diet and sent me on my way. Two days later back to see my physican. I told him I was still in severe pain. My stomach and esophagus were on fire and that I was having terrible pain in my diaphram when bending over. I insisted that he refer me to a gastointerstional doctor as an emergency or I was going to the Emergency Room now. He sent me to a Gastro Doctor and upon examining me he said I had GERD. He also precribed a Fat Free Diet, and gave me a pill called Zegrid. This did not help at all. I than made an appointment for an Endoscopy. The findings are acute inflamation in the stomach and inflamation in the esophagus. I also have a hiatal hernia. The doctor told me to double up on the Zegrid.. The Biopsy will be back in two weeks. My pain continued so I called the gastro docor and he gave me Carafate. I continue to have the burning, the hives, pain in my diaphram and back, and now a feeling that I have something stuck in my throat. I never had any of these issues prior to taking Levaquin. I am going back to the doctor today as I have added naseua to the list of my complaints. I eat very lightly and drink very little as when I drink I sometimes get terrible pain in my diaphram. I have been to my primary physican 8 times, gastro 2 times, I have had about $500. in prescriptions, EKG's , Sonograms, Endoscopys, and Biopsys. I am starting to wonder if the medical profession set me up. Levaquin is poison to some people. Why did my doctor give me this medication for an eye ache.? It may be too late for me to debate the use of this medication that I took blindly,but maybe someone out there will read my story and think before they blindly take a medication that may change there life forever. Does any one out there have any of the same issues from Levaquin? Thanks for reading my story. Cheri

I am normally a very physically fit specimen, working outside every day. One 500 mg. tab of this poisencompletely debilitated me. Within six hours of taking levaquin I experienced excruciation soreness in my arms and shoulders. My throat swelled up and I could barely breath. I was perscribed steroids to stop the swelling - I took only ONE 500 mg time release tab 7 days ago and today I am still experiencing incredible pain.I am so sore I can't sleep. If anyone wants to start a call action suit I am in - I have NEVER sued anyone - but I am furious.Any advise out there as to how I can flush this poisen out of my system?
Chris

I took the first dose of Levaquin 500 mg before going to bed, for what was to be a 21 day treatment for sinusitis...I woke up very hot in the middle of the night a few times...Finally, at @5am I looked in the mirror It looked as if I had been on the beach all night instead of my bed.
My entire body was scalded. I took Benadryl 25 mg for 24 hrs and stopped the Levaquin. The next morning the redness had improved but the skin on my legs from the knees down was purple, I called my Physician who said I was having an "adverse reaction" and I should not take the rest of the Levaquin. The reaction as he described it may have been an allergy but since he was not sure he advised stopping and changing to another antibiotic. I'll NEVER take it again.

I had acid reflux for about 4 weeks with no relief. My doctor checked my liver, pancreas, and gallbladder and all were fine. She thought perhaps I had an infection so she gave me a 7 day course of Levaquin. I questioned her nurse and the pharmacist if the medication was safe to take or if it had side effects that I should worry about. Both said it was safe and that there were no known "bad" side effects. Both failed to warn me of the dangers of this medication. On the fifth day I noticed a "hives" like rash on both my arms. At the time, I didn't connect them to the Levaquin. After the 7th day (yesterday) I began to wonder if it could be a reaction to the drug. Last night the rash got worse, and this morning I had a very difficult time getting out of bed. I took a Benadryl last night thinking that perhaps I was having an allergic reaction to something I had eaten. This morning when the rash was worse I came on line and did a "Goggle" search on Levaquin and rashes... OMG, how could the doctor and pharmacist not told me about the problems associated with this drug??? They both were totally negligent about warning me about possible side effects. The worse part is that I was trying to be a knowledgeable patient, I asked the right questions and got the wrong answers!

What do I do now and will this rash go away and the pain in my legs go away without permanent damage???

This is a total lack of responsibility from the medical community and the drug company!

After first two days I had very bad diarrhea with bad gas and cramping. So I took Immodium. The diaherra got better but I still experienced some gastro issues. I also had a few bumps on my face that looked like acne. The next day I started to get very bad body aches in my neck, lower back, knees, hips and calfs. The rash exploded and was all over my face. Big red sore and very itchy. Benadryl cortaid help a little but not much. I looked up this site and will stop taking it and call my Doctor.

Scott

I just took Levaquin for a sinus infection. Within an hour I got hives all over my entire body. I've never gotten hives before and they were extremely itchy. I took an antihistimine and went to the emergency room. While I was there I started getting very shaky and dizzy. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't taken the antihistimine. The doctor told me that Levaquin can do some "funny" stuff to people and to NEVER take it again since my body is allergic to it. I've been taking Benadryl and am now feeling better but still have a few hives left. It's scary what one pill can do to a person. I've taken other antibiotics from the same drug family and nothing like this has ever happened before.

I only took one Levaquin 500 mg pill (prescribed for bronchitis) and got horribly sick. I was so dizzy I nearly fell when I tried to walk. I went back and forth from blazing hot and sweating to freezing and shivering. My hands and feet were numb and tingling. I had diarrhea. Worst of all, I could barely breathe, felt like my lungs were too tiny to get any air. Finally got back to nearly normal with Benadryl. However, it's now 3 days after I took the single Levaquin pill and I still have tingling and numbness in one ankle and calf. I am horrified to see how many other people are having severe reactions to this drug, and I want to know WHY IS THIS POISONOUS DRUG STILL ON THE MARKET?

I was just recently in the hospital for treatment of cellulitis and my doctor ordered Levaquin via IV. I had taken it orally before about a year ago for a respiratory infection. 2-3 minutes into the IV being turned on I felt the worst burning sensation and pressure in my lungs like I suddenly had horrible pneumonia. Everytime I tried to breathe I had to cough like my lungs were full of fluid or something! They ran tons of tests and everything came back normal. They had to give me a shot of Benadryl and it eventually calmed down. Anyone else experience this?

I was diagnoised with Kidney Cancer in March of 2005, and had a partial nephroectomy on 23rd day of March 2005. I was being given Ancef which is in the family of Levaquin.
A few days after my surgery while still in the hospital my back started itching , i told this to the nurse and she looked at my back and said i was broke out in hives , she phoned my dr. and he prescribed benadryl shots and allergy meds but nothing seemed to help, about the third day of being broken out and nothing was working that my Dr. had prescribed a dermatoligist was called in to the hospital , he prescribed different meds and a medicated lotion, still no releif.
My Dr. released me from hospital a few days later ,i still had hives on my back , and he prescribed Levaquin for me to take at home, my hives kept getting worse, by then they started at the back of my neck and was all the way down my back to the back of my knees and not just bumps ,but whelps that reached from side to side nothing i was taking or putting on them helped the itching or burning.
My daughter who is an RN had talked to the nurses that she worked with at the hospital and they all decided that it was the Levaquin that was causing the hives to stay , so i quit taking it ,and sure enough i quit breaking out but i had them so long that all of my skin where i had them felt like leather and the itching was horrible and miserable.
I went to my regular Dr after several days and told him about my skin and itching and he told me to buy some Eucerin lotion at Wal-Mart and my husband rubbed it on my back and the next day my skin started to heal.
I still am having outbreaks on my back and was wondering if anyone else has had or is having this problem?

Coincidence....I think not. A 15 day dose of Levaquin was prescribed for a recurrent sinus infection despite the documented effectiveness of Augmentin in past occurences. Within the first eight days there was no change in my inability to breath through my nasal passage. In addition to the Levaquin I took Benadryl Maximum Strength Allergy and Sinus in order to breathe with less difficulty. During the fifteen day treatment, I experienced, insomina and short term memory lapses, stiffness in both knees, diarrhea, extreme gas pains, and constipation. I actually think my rectal muscles were affected. After two days of incessant diarrheal woes, my body constantly felt as though excretion was necessary. Mucuous began to fill my tear ducts and affected my vision. My primary physician of ten years directed me to visit the emergency room....wow, now there's a thought....go to primary...go to emergency room....follow up with primary...Needless to say, my HMO may have saved me over $200, but it actually cost me four days away from the office and a weekend in bed.

I was prescribed levaquin for pneumonia and 8 hours after my first dose began having hallucinations, both visual and auditory. They were very violent and gory, I felt like I was possesed. Then the paranoia set in, quickly followed by an extrapyramidal response. Basically, I looked as though I had severe parkinsons disease, uncontrollable muscle jerks and twitches in all of my limbs, including fingers and toes. This is a known (rare) side effect of the drug. It was a very scary experience for me, and I just am thankful that an IV dose of benadryl did the trick.

I took it for 10 days for a sinus infection. 3 days after I stopped taking it I broke out itching all over my neck, arms, back, stomach and hips. Then it turned into into a red rash with welphs. I could not attribute it to anything else different in my life. I went to the dermatologist who said I was probably allergic to the levaquin and It was possible that the reaction could occur after I stopped taking it.
Has anyone heard of this????

I was given a 500mg tablet before having a prostate biopsy and then I took a second tablet the next day. It was to prevent infection from the biopsy procedure. Within two days after taking the pills I developed severe hives. I had no idea what caused it. I called the pharmacist and was told that it could be a temporary reaction to this drug. I was instructed to take some benadryl. I did and the hives went away within a few hours. Since then I've had a reoccurance of hives three more times (within a week of taking it). It usually happens in the evenings. I'm not sure if there's another factor that's causing it to reoccur or not. I have not taken any further doses of the drug. I can't seem to pin-point any other variable that can be affecting me. Is it still the effects of the Levaquin a week later? I guess I will talk to the pharmacist again tomorrow and see what else they have to say. Hopefully the symptoms won't get any worse and that this will stop soon. I was not given any precautions before taking the drug. I've never had any side affects to other drugs before this one.

I am so glad i found this site. I was convinced i was developing severe arthritis at age 39. I was put on a 3 weeks course of levaquin in November to combat a sinus polyps and sinus infections. Shortly after, i started complaining to my husband that i was afraid i was getting arthritis. Had the aches and pains through December and then got another sinus infection in january. Was given another course of levaquin and the 2nd day into it, i awoke with terrible pains in my wrists, knees, ankles and shoulders. I called my doctor and got prescribed another antibiotic. It is now February 7 and the side effects linger including sleeplessness (benadryl can get me to sleep) and dry mouth. My symptons kind of come and go - my joints will feel fine for a couple of days and then randomly the pain returns in my ankle, or hands and feet (sometimes all 3). I wanted to encourage many of you that although this is irritating and uncomfortable, you will get better in time - it is a slow process to get this drug out of your system. I have done lots of research and have found that taking 2 tablespoons of milk of magnesium a day can help clear the poison from your system plus taking acidophilus to restore your healthy bacteria and echenasia goldenseal to restore your immune system. Plus and most importantly drink LOTS of water. I have learned that depending on the severity of your reaction - that getting back to normal can take anywhere from a few months to 2 years (for the most severe reactions) But more than likely, it will be a several months. I am feeling better and the aches are tolerable. I am thankful i figured out it was the levaquin or i might be in really bad shape right now. I have two small kids, work part time and don't have time for this!!! I have also learned that you can take this medication one time and suffer mildy and then the second dose can knock you out - so even if you didn't react severely the first time, i urge you not to take it again. Anyway, i would love to hear from others how long it took to get better. I am 2 weeks into my recovery and feeling hopeful and lots more educated. I will never take meds for granted again. Hope this helps. Blessings........

Hang in there! The good part is you only took three doses, right? I took seven, some people who posted here had taken this drug for 3 or more WEEKS, we all seem to have a different combination of side effects or reation to this drug, my main complaint was a horrible itch rash that was like posion ivy times 10, also i had some tightning sensations of the calf muscles which i am still having on and off, along with itchy dry skin and still a little rash flare up. I took my last dose of this drug a month ago. I itched so bad in the worst grip of this drug that i conteplated suicide just so it would STOP itching. Conteplating suicide is really out of character for me. I think this drug messed with my mind. The cortisone shot i was given to treat the rash ONLY made things worse.So I refused another one and I refused to take prednisone. I have improved a little eveyday. Oatmeal soap and oatmeal lotion helped the itch skin and benadryl cream was a little help for the rashs, I also was presrcibed hydroxyzine which didn't rally help me. I have so many drug allegies already and have never taken levaquin. I don't think I should have been precribed this drug. This should truely be a last resort drug for people who haven't reponded to anything else and who are practically on thier deathbed. I, for one will NEVER take this drug again. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER, I am about to float my eyeballs! This has helped to flush this toxin out of my body. Good luck to any and all reading this post. And No you are not crazy or losing your mind and you are NOT alone. God bless you and keep you and restore you to health.

Took one 500mg levaquin last night for sinus infection, sore throat, cough. Awoke several times during the night because my eyes were tearing, and felt "sticky", but did not get out of bed because I was too tired. At 5 a.m. I finally went to look in mirror, and my eyes were red and puffy, & my face was swollen. I felt dizzy and almost fainted. My legs also ached badly around the thigh/knee area, and it was painful to walk the stairs. I had some chest pains on and off during the day, and my rt. eye is still hurting. I am now on benadryl. My doctor wants me to take prednisone, a steroid, but at this point I am afraid to take any more prescriptions. The only reason I agreed to the levaquin is because I had taken it once in the past. 1999 according to my dr. He said he has noticed cases of patients who have a reaction to it the second time around. I am through with antibiotics. These side effects are too scary. I would rather have the sinus infections.

I just came home from 3 hours in our local hospital, being treated for the side effects of Levaquin. I had an appointment with a local urologist this morning--just to ensure I had nothing wrong with my urinary tract. I didn't.
But after the examination the nurse told me to take an antibiotic pill that she'd put on the counter for me. Just to prevent any possible future infection as a result of the exam. I am in excellent health--have been all my life. I don't take any medications and never have. But I took this little inocuous green pill. And drove a few hundred yards across their parking lot to our local mall. I started coughing as soon as I got out of the car--by the time I had walked about 5 minutes I felt weak and strange and since I couldn't find a place to sit down in the mall I made it back to my car for fresh cold air and water. The longer I sat there the worse I felt--and my face started to go numb. My chest felt like it had a brick in it. I can't tell you how scared I was. I was afraid to drive even the few yards back to the doctor's office but knew I couldn't walk there. When I walked into their office they immediately said I needed to go to the emergency room of the hospital and they drove me there. They started an IV drip of Benadryl immediately, but the Dr. wondered if the symptoms fit with a drug reaction so he ran an EKG, etc. All negative. Meanwhile I was slowly losing my voice. And about 1 1/2 hours after taking the little green pill I couldn't talk at all. The nurses said it was Levaquin, which I'd never heard of--a "new" and "good" antiobiotic.

I have never in my life been allergic to anything--plants, food, animals--anything. And yet this one little pill felt like I was dying. I think it's criminal that medications aren't monitored more closely. I doubt that doctors even know the side effects of them before they prescribe. When I got home and looked in the mirror, I looked like a totally different person--my cheeks and glands are so swollen--my voice is still hoarse. I feel that I'm lucky I'm alive.

I was prescribed Levaquin (500 mg) for a U T infection. After taking the first pill I was not able to sleep for 40 hours and had some shortness of breath. I became very jittery, could not sit still. Got a lot of cleaning done. Had to take a Benadryl to get some sleep. I called the Dr.'s office and their response was "these side effects are not from the Levaquin, but, we will call in a different prescription for you to take."

Two days ago I was prescribed Levaquin for a kidney infection. 18 hours later I started having nightmares, paranoia, and shakiness. At 24 hours I took my next dose. Within 2 hours I had a terrible taste in my mouth, felt extremely dizzy, in a panic, disoriented, a feeling of doom, and rapid breathing. By the time I got to the hospital I was shaking all over, crying uncontrollably, skin felt like it was crawling, and I had begun to hallucinate. Horrible things! The drs. started with benadryl, it did not work. Next came Ativan, it helped but did not stop the hallucinations...Finally I was given Haldol and it stopped the hallucinations. That was yesturday. The hallucinations are gone, but the dizziness, parnoia, disoriontation, shakiness, and just plain feeling "out of it" is still here! The Dr. sent me home with a new antibiotic, (macrodantin) and 30 ativan pills. How long will these horrible side affects continue??? please email me if you had a similiar experience. Suzyqej2@sbcglobal.net

I had been on levaquin for only 3 days for diverticulitis, I have been dizzy, wheezing, BUT the worst is the itching rash it stared out small tiny bumps from my waist down, they itched so badly I have rubbed them until they are sore. I had only been on for 3 days total, today is the fourth & the tiny bumps have turned into hives. It is Sunday here & the Dr office is closed so I called ER & the Dr on call has instructed me to take 25mg of benadryl 3 times a day. I would think the hives would get better he told me not to take anymore Levaquin, but today they seem larger. I guess it will take it some time to get out of my system. I will never take this drug again. The Dr on call also told me to see the Dr for an appt first thing in the morning. Good thing I work at the Dr office. I am itching like mad.

I took Levaquin as a third antibiotic for the treatment of a bad case of bronchitis that went into asthma and have had a chronic cough. This started one month ago. I first took Zithromax, then Augmentin. The Levaquin was a third antibiotic. The first day I felt I felt dizzy and lightheaded. the first night I had total insomnia and could not sleep. I woke up feeling very nauseated. The second day I felt even more dizzy than the day before. The second night I broke out into hives and itching on my feet. I took Benadryl and discontinued the antiobiotic.

Hi..I am the guy who wrote in with insomnia (among other things) and compared taking one dose of levaquin with psychedelic drugs. I wanted to tell everyone that after a week and a half or so I now feel much better. I can sleep without Benadryl and I feel like my brain and body are back to normal.

I guess I am a 1% too. I went to the Doctor, who told me I had an infection. He prescribed me levaquin, gave two trial boxes and told me to take one then and go down the hall and fill a script. I took it and walked down the hall (there was no paper in the box describing it or the side effects. Within 15 minutes I was sneezing and itching, felt like my face was starting to swell up...serious metallic taste in my mouth. It happened fast. As I was getting the prescription filled, I asked the pharmacist if anyone reported being allergic to this stuff. He said, "Highly unlikely, this is the best antibiotic you can get in my opinion." I thought, OK..I'll take your word for it. How stupid is that? Fast forward to 36 hours later and I still had not gone to sleep. I was WIDE awake. I was so awake I could have run a marathon. I have some experience with psychedelics and for hours 2 through 24 I felt like I had taken LSD or mescaline. I was hallucinating, colors were very vivid, sounds sounded like I was in a tunnel, very rapid and circular thinking. There was definite pressure built up in my head...bad headache and my ears would pop if I would yawn, like I was on a plane. If I had no psychedelic experience I would have really lost it I think. I became alternatingly anxious and depressed. It has been 4 days and I can sleep if I take 50 mgs of Benadryl. I have no muscle pain from it that I can tell...just a highly affected nervous system..and it has affected it more and for a longer duration than any illegal drug I have ever taken. If you are researching this drug take it from me..tell you Doc to shove it, ask her if she is getting a kickback for it. I am scared for people out there...I am fairly experienced with drugs...don't mess with this levaquin stuff...please don't give to your kids!

Starting taking Levaquin 06.14.03. I have a sever rash on both arms and legs. Was not told it was sensitive to sun. I also have a metallic taste in my mouth. I started getting the rash immediately after taking my first dose on 06.14.03. The metallic taste yesterday 06.17. I also can't sleep and have no appetite. My dr. prescribed it for a UTI. I will call them as soon as they open. I, too will start looking up side effects before I take any medicine. Benadryl does help but I can't take it at work because it makes me sleepy. Thanks, Robyn

White Male 40, Treated for UTI with Levaquin on May 31, 2003, took for 7 days, 14-day script. Stopped after 7.

- Horrible hives, all over, back, shoulders, legs, arms, never had them in my life ever before. Has lasted so far 6 days after stopping Levaquin. Two tabs of Benadryl seems to stop them within 30-45 min. Drinking lots of water seems to help too, but maybe just psychological. Sun especially kicks off the hives.
- Swelling in hands, feet. Was just in the last days of Levaquin use. Has not come back.
- I am very rarely allergic to anything, some Spring pollen, and only very mildly. Levaquin made my body go ballistic with hives when they hit. Itchy as I've ever been. Red skin, big blotches. (I have slightly olive skin, not the sensitive nordic fair skin you would expect to get hives) Really scared my wife. Benadryl has been a decent antidote. Just wondering how long the junk (Levaquin) stays in your system.

On day 7 post-Levaquin. Will never touch it again. Anyone notify the FDA? Perhaps this should be done.

I was prescribed Levaquin for sever Sinusitus. Almost one hour after the 2nd dose I began experiencing tightness in my chest that became progressively worse. At the 1.5 hour mark on day 2 I was in anaphylactic shock and had to be taken to the ER in an ambulance.
I am 41 years old and have know of an allergy to both Penicillin (from age 2) and Quibron (from age 15). I was saved with multiple doses of benadryl, adrenaline and another med I cannot remember.

A little over a month ago I took Levaquin for 14 days for pneumonia. During that time my side effects were nausea, dizziness, night sweating, insomnia, minor panic attacks and heart palpitations. I took them anyway, wanting to get over the pneumonia. I was prescribed Levaquin yesterday again because I had a cold and felt chest tightness. Last night was the worst night I ever had.... incredible muscle pain within the first couple of hours of taking the first pill on the back of my neck, legs, arms and back. I could not sleep all night turning and rolling trying to find a position where I had no pain. It got so bad that I felt I could not breath. The nausea and throwing up started this morning. I called my doctor's answering service this morning and he said to stop taking them immediately! He also told me to take Benadryl tablets, 25mg, 4 times a day until I can see him Monday. This antibiotic has really serious side effects on some people.

I posted before on December 7th, for relief of the severe muscle pain that I was having the doctor had recommended Benadryl tablets, 25mg, 4x a day. It really works, I felt such a relief that I slept for about 4 hours straight after taking the pills. It might work for you.

I am in the forth dose of Levaquin, couldn't sleep at night. Usually, I go to sleep without too much problem but after taking Levaquin, I toss and turn all night long. What a horror. Took Nyquil and benadryl, didn't help. Oh God, what to do?

After just taking one dose of Levaquin (500 mg) for a recurring ear infection, I had a noticable allergic reation. My hands and feet were extremely itchy and red for a couple of hrs. After the second dose, I had the same problem, but as before it went away. The third day was the worse. I developed hives, swelling and my hands became fire red, and my face and chest broke out in red patches. I felt itchy all over my body and felt like my body was on fire. My dr. told me to stop taking Levaquin and to take Benadryl for the next couple of days.

This message is for Jo. You might try taking Benadryl at night. It can relax you as well as potentially help with your symptoms. The only medications I've found that helped me after Levaquin have been plain old aspirin and Benadryl, and their help has been limited and short-term. I took Levaquin October 4-10, 2002, and I still have weeks that I can barely walk for the pain and stiffness in my joints. Good luck and God bless,
Linda Hughes

I thank you all for your help. I have started just plain old aspirin for some pain relief. Ironically, we have Benadryl inhouse as I recommended it to husband who was having difficulty getting to and staying asleep.

I totally agree regarding docs not checking PDR as they should (I've had a few who always did) - after all they cannot be expected to remember everything.

Late afternoon nurse called me back and calmly took notes regarding checking PDR for Levaquin and use of nonflushing niacin as one defense against high cholesterol since statins do not seem to be my friend to give my doc when she returns.

While I will take a look at iknowthecause.com, I am really in no frame of mind to be *shocked*. The thought of a fungus involvement on top of what I am already experiencing could push me over the edge.

Again, thanks for your comments and help.

Jo

I went to my urologist to have a cystoscopy, and they gave me levaquin right afterwards to avoid future infection. I had taken it before,, many times. This time my face swoll up and I turned beet red. The scariest thing was that my throat began to shut. My blood pressure shot up higher than I had ever seen it. After mega doses of benadryl through an IV. The symptoms slowed.. I still don't understand why I had taken it many time before, and this time it reacted funny.

Very cold hands and feet. Can't seem to get them warm. Not a new side effect, but I'm also having some vision problems. I went to the ER about seven days ago for chest and sinus congestion and I believe they gave me a shot of Levaquin and that's what's causing the problems. When I came home and took the prescription for the 500 milligrams to my pharmacist he told me that the ten pills would cost a hundred bucks and I said I didn't believe I could afford that. Then he checked and came back and said he didn't have that medication. And didn't even offer to try to find it for me. So I just left. Now I believe he probably knew there would be some very bad side effects for me and didn't want to risk maybe a lawsuit. I have been trembly and jittery ever since I was in the ER on March 28th. And believe that the shot they gave me is the cause of it. A friend of mine who is a nurse really got on me because I didn't get the prescrip filled but am I ever glad I didn't. If I can just get over the effect of the shot I'll be okay. I am taking Benadryl for my sinus congestion and it seems to work pretty well. Thank goodness I never took any pills and only have to try and work through this shot.