Levaquin and levaquin 500mg

I have had an extremely stubborn sinus/respiratory infection for around 12 weeks or so. Weeks ago I finished a round of antibiotics (Doxycycline (sp?)) without much improvement. Went to ENT and he prescribed Levaquin 500mg once daily for 21 days. I have been on this med for about 14 or 15 days. Sinuses are some better but I don't think it is all gone. Interestingly though, about 3 or 4 days ago ALL of my joints began hurting...all of a sudden. I have had a really sore shoulder for about a week, maybe more, that really isn't getting better. How bizarre that this is the site I found. It must be the meds. It is Friday 11/30, 5:15, of course so I can't call them now. I have an appointment on Tuesday and I will assertively and aggressively inquire about this. This is pretty scary. If I learn something new I will gladly post it here--but I truly expect to be told it is not the Levaquin...

I was prescribed 20 days of Levaquin 500mg for a post surgery leg infection. I quit taking Levaquin after just 6 days. I had horrible hip and joint pain, depression and fatigue. I wanted to sleep all day and night. It worked and the infection was cleared up but the side effects were not worth it.

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year. It has been in the mild stages until last week when she was hospitalized for diverticulitis.
Upon being discharged she was prescribed Levaquin 500mg to be taken once a day for 12 days. Because the cost of the drug was $132.00, I had them cut the rx in half.
Since taking this drug my mother has had morning sweats and worst of all it has made her combative and belligerent. I know as Alzheimer's progresses that some patient become this way but based on the fact this she did not become this way until she began taking this medication, I believe it exasperated her condition. And since taking her off of this drug, she has become more calm but it has had to work itself out of her system over the past 6 days.

My doctor prescribed Levaquin 500mg as the 3rd antibiotic to treat a sinus infection that just would not go away. Unfortunately I'd taken 12 of the 14 pills prescribed before I found this site while trying to figure out what was worng with me. I'm experiencing sleeplessness, extreme lethargy, neck pain, muscle & joint pain and I'm having difficulty concentrating at work. I've stopped taking this awful drug and can't wait for that point it works its way out of my system.

I am very sorry to hear about the problems you all have experienced. I thank you for taking the time to post your experiences here so that people like me have others to turn to.

FALSE POSSITIVES FOR OPIATS!

I had taken Levaquin 500mg for a Uninary track infection. The first day I took it I had a drug test for work and I failed it for opiates! I thought there must have a been a mistake but as I looked further into it it ends up that Levaquin along with 12 other antibiotics can show up as an opiate in a urine drug test. So do not take this if you know you are going to have a drug test!

I am a caregiver for my 75 yo stroke victim Mom; on dialysis, diabetes and hypertension. I took her to the ER fearing she was suffering from either another stroke or heart attack but they couldn't find anything instead of spots of pneumonia in her lungs. The ER doc prescribe her Levaquin 500mg, and she became "looney" for 5 days; verbally combative, talking to herself incessantly while slipping in and out of consciousness in between. Short term memory was lost - big time! On the 5th day, I read the med literature Walmart Pharm inserted in the bag. IN BOLD LETTERS, IT WARNED: BE CAREFUL IN GIVING THIS MED TO ELDERLY. They may be more susceptible to suffer from side effects of dizziness, weakness and tremors. So I stopped giving it to her that very day, the next morning she open her eyes wide but slept for 2 days. As if to regain strength from what she went through for 5 days. Then, 2 days ago, she suffered from tremors or muscle spasm in her injured leg which caused her to scream in pain. I wonder if this still the side effects of Levaquin!?!

Leizel S.
Gloucester, VA

On Jan 5th I started a 10 day treatment of Levaquin 500mg. On the 2nd night i experienced sever pain in the lower calf area of my right leg. This continued on the following nights and days. I had and have constant extreme pain and diffucility walking. I thought the problem would go away after i finished the Levaquin, but still continues to this day.

After taking Levaquin 500mg for 7 days I developed
muscle aches and pains and could hardly move. After contacting my doctor, they put me on another antibiotic to finish the term. I continued having muscle and joint pain.
My doctor told me that it may take 2wks for this Levaquin to clear my system and if I didn't feel better to call back after this time if I continued to feel worse. For anyone who has experience this and would like to know what relief for the pain that helped, I started taking ALEVE a over the counter medicine for arthritis and it helped tremendously! But I will never again take Levaquin again. I will finish taking the ALEVE and hopefully my condition will not return but I feel great now. Make sure you take the ALEVE after meals. This can cause ACID REFLUX which is another condition that I had after taking NAPROXEN. I will never take NSAIDS for a long term ever again either and if I do I will make sure I eat a FULL COURSE MEAL!!

I was given Levaquin (500mg) for 20 days back in 2004 for what the doctor believed was a sinus infection. In fact, I was actually experiencing an eye infection for prolonged contact use. After two days on the Levaquin, I started feeling really tired. My eyes were extremely heavy and I had a difficult time staying awake. I called the doctor right away, as I tend to be very medication sensitive. I told him what I was feeling and asked if it could be a side effect of the meds. He said he never heard of such a thing and to continue on the antibiotics. I wish I had not listened to him. The fatigue in my eyes continued for months afterward. I also began having abnormal bowel movements, which led to a colonoscopy and small bowel follow-through. All tests came back negative, and my doctors shrugged their shoulders in confusion. They said I had IBS and I would have to live with it. My eye fatigue eventually went away, but the bowel issues continued on and off for over a year. Now, the bowel issues are gone, and the fatigue in my eyes and acute insomnia have replaced them. My doctors continue to shrug their shoulders and now insist that I am suffering from depression. D'uh! Of course I'm depressed. Look at what I'm going through. It has been two years now, and I am really hoping for some relief. I'm convinced that due to the bizarre nature of my problems, those 20 pills of Levaquin in 2004 are to blame for the constant issues I deal with daily. Anyone else suffering like this? And if so, please say it gets better. I need it to get better. I would appreciate anyone who would post updates on their conditions. I know this poison can wreak havoc for years, but I hope there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

I started taking Levaquin 500mg 3 22 07 on the 3rd day My legs hurt so bad I could hardly walk. My knees also hurt, My hips & back of legs allthe way down my legs the muscles hurt so bad I cried,even when I walked the back of my ankles it would pull I would have to set down, My memory has changed, like short term it is so weird, My son asked me yesturday If I was ok. My joints or so sore, i can't hardly do my hair, lifting my arms it is so painful. My fingers also are hurting so bad.

Levaquin 500mg prescribed for bronchitis for 10 days. Doctor had to stop on day 7 because of migraine aura told to be low blood sugar. This was in December, 2006. After stopping there has been difficulty walking, with severe pain in legs. Also migraine auras return and are still present three months later. These symptoms were not present in December. This is a poison. Why this drug was given I do not know. There are plenty of other antibiotics which I have taken which did not cause symptoms once stopped.
There was one other that was horrible, Ketek, which has now been stopped because of liver problems.
Would not take Levaquin again.

Mu husband was hospitalized with a severe urinary tract infection - Dec.18, 2006 and was treated with levaquin intravenously. Upon release, Dec.22nd, he was given levaquin - 500mg - to take orally for seven days. While taking the medication he had no side effects, but the day after he took the last dose he started getting pains in the jaw and shoulder, which then spread to the chest. He has a history of heart problems ( 4 angioplasties) so I gave him nitro, although he insisted this was not a "heart" pain. The nitro didn't work and the pain worsened - he was sweating and obviously distressed. I called 911 and he was admitted to the hospital where they ran all the heart tests - EKG's, echogram, chest x-ray, cat scan, etc. The pain became excruciating and they finally administered morphine which was the only thing that helped. The doctors admitted they just didn't know what ws causing the intense pain, as all his heart tests were good. I decided to check the side effects of levaquin and lo and behold, right on the printout from the drug store they list "crushing chest pain" as one of the possible side effects. I pointed this out to the doctors, but they were very sceptical. However by the time he left tht hospital, five days later, they admitted that it could possibly be the levaquin. The chest pain never entirely went away, although it was much milder. He was fine for a few days, then the pain returned again - it was severe and this time he experienced rapid heartbeat (143) which he had never had before. I took him to the emergency room and he was admitted once again and of course, they did all the heart tests again. He explained that he had been through this before and it wasn't his heart, but they have to be sure, especially at his age - 81. I once again brought up the possibility of levaquin side effects but they were sure that as he had finished taking it 10 days ago, it couldn't be that. Once again they gave him morphine and he was abl to relax and his heart rate returned to normal. When he was discharged two days later, they put on his record and notified the drug store that he was allergic to levaquin. He was given a prescription for hydrocodone to take if the pain returns. The chest pain never really goes away - he says it hurts deep inside, somewhat like pleurisy, but all lung tests are negative. He is constantly fatigued and I realize that at 81 you don't have the energy of a 20-year-old, but prior to this he was very healthy - excercise class three times a week, walks regularly and plays golf. I wish I knew how long these side effects will last, especially as in view of the rapid heart beat, they now have him on Coumadin. Before this, he took only three prescription meds now he takes nine! I know they have to use powerful antibiotics to kill bacterial infections, but they should know of an "antidote" for these serious side effects. It's all very well tosay "it hardly ever happens" but reading the dozens of reports on this and other websites, I would say that it happens all too often. If anyone has found a remedy or anything that helps - please let us know.

I was prescribed levaquin 500mg for 7 days for sinus infection.
On day 3, I was very dizzy for few minutes where I thought I'd pass out. Next day, I cut down to 250mg but was still getting dizzy to a lesser extent.
Day 6, I didn't take it but started getting lower abdominal and lower back pain. So I'll be going to see my doc to see what is going on. Also, knee joint pain.

This medication is too difficult to take. I personally think the side effects are greater than the benefits.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg for a sinus infection and it has caused me to have extreme nausea and gastric distress. I felt better before I took the drug and have a call in to my doctor for a different antibiotic. A friend of mine took this drug and had bad joint pain that stopped when she stopped the Levaquin. A drug with so many different side effects shouldn't be prescribed to anyone. I never usually have any bad reactions to medication. I felt better before I took the Levaquin - I feel lousy now!

I was prescribed Levaquin (500mg. for 10 days) for pnueamona. By day three I wanted to jump out of my skin. I felt like I was going crazy, I had the shakes, dizziness, trouble catching my breath, couldn't sleep etc. I called the the doctor and he said keep taking the medcine. By day 6 I had it...I no longer could take it, I stopped the medicine, come to find out I talked to other people and they had the same symptoms...sometime of bad reaction...I have been off of this for two full days and still feel strange....This medicine is not good....they need more warnings....

I just had surgery and they prescribed Levaquin 500mg. I have just started taken three days ago. My legs has sharp pains as well as my achilles. I have had numbness in my arms and hands. Also, minor confusion and comprehension. I DID NOT know all of this. The side effects on the labels does not say all these side effects on this bored. Now, I am worried after reading all of this. I am not putting another pill in my mouth. My doctor did not say " stop taking this at the sign of ..." This sounds like poison rather than a cure.

I started Levaquin 500mg 7days ago. Every day my knees and legs felt tender, now I have begun to feel severe pain in both my knees and tendons. I am experiencing heaviness in both arms too. I have decide to stop the remainder doses left.

I took levaquin 500mg for seven days. I have been off it for 4 week and am still having severe lower flank leg and ankle pain. I cannot sit or stand for long. It is a sad story. I hope this goes away. God bless all of you. I have been in bed for almost 5 weeks now. I wish I new if there was a class action going on. I need money to hire a freekin housekeeper.

24 yr old relativly healthy Male. I developed a Urinary Tract infection and was prescribed by an ER doctor 8 days worth of Levaquin (500mg) within days I was so depressed, anxious, couldn't keep any food down. its been 6 days and I've lost 14 lbs. I stopped after the 4th dose and refuse to take it again. I threw up after just about every meal and was only able to keep the broth portion of Chicken Noodle soup down. I experienced several panic attacks, numbess in all my extremities, and my heart was racing. My blood pressure was normal but I felt as if it was beating out of my chest and the pulse could be felt in various portions of my body. I remember by the 4th day of taking it that I wanted my Urinary Tract Infection back as the side effects were much worse than a UTI. Its been 3 days since I've been off it and I'm still experiencing some nervousness, tingling in arms and feet. my body is aching. I am still exhausted and still trying to gain my appetite back. I can eat solid foods agian but only so much and I find I'm turned off by foods I would normally be craving. I experienced confusion, loss of concentration and cold sweats. I remember waking up in the middle of the night freezing but within minutes of wrapping up in a blanket I felt I was in a Sauna. This Drug has no place on the market and I'm scared to find people on here who have been off it for months and still feeling side effects. I am also relieved that I figured out the cause. If the side effects linger for long than a couple of weeks, you can add me to the list of people who will look into a lawsuit!

After reading some of the other postings, I consider myself lucky so far! I took my first dose of Levaquin 500mg yesterday evening. Last night I went to bed and after about 1/2 hour of sleep, I woke up and shot out of bed. I just wasn't feeling right...kind of anxious, couldn't focus, stomach cramps and nausea, had chills and a bad cough, and some chest discomfort. Later, I started developing a headache. Today, I still don't feel right at all and have put a call in to my doctor, but honestly, I don't want to put any more medication into my body! I will not be taking this medication again.

I want to thank you all for sharing your stories, at the same time im VERY sorry for all youve all been thru that is just HORRIBLE!!!!!
The main reason im saying thanks is because today I took a Levaquin 500mg I happened to have in my car from a yr ago when I had a UTI, (but I never used them) I didnt know anything about it, but I took it anyway now that I have another one thinking it would help...which it did! But now I wont take anymore knowing my chances of something awful happening, I have 2 young girls and work 40hrs a week, so I dont have the time to become sick like that...nor would I want to anyway, hehe

I took Levaquin - 500mg for 10 days for a sinus infection. It was only on the 9th day that I bagan having side effects. At first I thought it was bursitis, but when I read the side effects after checking on the internet, I realized that it is from the Levaquin. It is not getting any better and even my right leg is painful. I cannot lift my arm or even move it too much.
I also notices that my hair is falling out more than usual, I don't know if this could be related.
I was hoping that this would be better after a few days,but after having read all the reports on this drug, I am beginning to worry.
Where do I find a reliable doctor?
Is there any treatment at all for the pain?

I was given Levaquin ( 500MG ) 6/12/06 for a bronchitis infection. I stopped taking the med 6/19/06 as I devloped pain in my archillies tenons on my left foot. I them devloped pain at the same place on my right foot. I called my doctor Friday and she will see Monday. She does'nt seem to concern but I sure am. I get serious pain when I try to walk.

I thought I had a kidney stone, now after a month of feeling very sick I finally went to the ER. I was told I was dehydrated and had a temperature of 103. After a CAT Scan I found that I had a kindey stone and a kidney infection. I was prescribed Vicodin for pain and Levaquin 500MG for the infection. I have taken one a day for seven days and have 4 left. I stopped taking the Vicodin because I didn't like the way I was feeling. That has helped but now I am feeling bad in different ways. I sometimes have a steady pain in my heart which seems to extend down into my stomache. Which seems odd to me and my neck is killing me. It is like I slept on it wrong but rather than at one angle or in spot it is my entire neck, right up into the base of my skull. About 4:30 a.m. this morning I woke up feeling very sick to my stomache and hot. I woke up several times last night hot, sweating hot, which was very uncomfortable. I am not even sure any of this is from the Levaquin but it's very uncomfortable and a kind of scary. My heart rate also seems high and I just don't feel right.

I have been taking levaquin 500mg for 1 week. I went to the dr. for the FLU and was given zithromax, I returned after 3 weeks and was given levaquin 500 mg. After one day both feet got cold and I was unable to walk. After 5 days of pain in both feet, pain moved to left foot only. After 7 days, pain moved to left knee, still cant walk. Looked up side effects on internet since they weren't in pharmacy pamphlet, and after reading, quit taking Levaquin. Called pharmacist and was told that levaquin had nothing to do with leg and foot pain. Does anyone know when the pain goes away?

I was prescibed levaquin 500mg. 10 days for broncitis, day 3 I had severe leg and muscle pain, also severe swelling in my feet, I feel like I ran a 26 mile marathon!! also severe fatigue. I did not have any symptoms like this before I started levaquin in my life. pharmisist says this not one of the sideaffects!!!! I told him this is a relatively NEW drug so the jury is not in... I think the fda should do more tests on this drug!!!! hopefully leg pain and feet swelling will go away soon,but other people comments is not reassuring!!!

I am 31 years old and very healthy but lately I have had bronchitis that I can't seem to shake. I have have been prescribed levaquin 500mg twice. I'm allergic to a lot and I have not had any allergic reactions to levaquin! I am on my second round of it and I dread taking the medication. I get severe headaches and I feel pain all over. I cannot sleep and I seem to feel worse???After reading every one statements I don't think I will continue to take levaquin.

I started Levaquin 500mg 5 days ago for bronchitis/pneumonia. Well today I did not take the medication because within the hour after taking it I have a tuff time breathing when moving around. I now have upper front pain in my thighs and around my hips, I have a feeling of heaviness and tightness across the breast area of my chest, my throat has this sense of fullness that comes and goes and I have a uncomfortable feeling in the base of my skull, my fingers at times feel like the circulation has been cut off and then it goes away, my heart feels like it is racing or not beating right. I have this thought in my head the last 2 days as to whether I should go to the emergency room because I am not sure now if it is my heart.

HOLY COW there's alot of Levaquin joint pain happening...
I don't usually experience medicine side effects so this is scary and confusing, and I'm so glad to have found this forum.
My experience with Levaquin started with a Lupus flare two weeks ago, for which I was put on prednisone, and diltiazem for pulmonary hypertension, and a diuretic to decrease edema. The prednisone left me vulnerable to some crud that whipped up a big pneumonia 6 days ago, so I got to spend a couple of nights in the hospital... Having cultured the bacteria from the pneumonia my doc decided to prescribe Levaquin 500mg/day and the joint pain began less than 48 hours after my first dose. EXCRUCIATING bilateral knee pain radiating upward from the feet, at 4am... I was crawling down the stairs to get to the Tylenol and it took forever.
So I asked him about it this morning and he said it usually just affects Achilles tendons. Hmm. I should have asked for a new antibiotic but I thought I'd tough it out with Tylenol - so - tonight I did just that, had 1000mg Tylenol before bed and yet still had some severe foot pain.
Now, I think I'll stop this Levaquin adventure altogether and get some new med, hoping the side effects will GO AWAY!!!!

I took Levaquin 500mg for a sinus infection I think (can't remember exactly what infection it was) back in 2004 and after two doses woke up in the middle of the night with extreme pain in my veins. It felt like my veins in my entire body were on fire. It was the worst in my arms and hands. The pain was unbearable and I went to ER. They said it was from Levaquin. I haven't heard of anyone else with this type of side effect yet but haven't done much research on it. I took another quinolone (Ciprofloxacin) and also had a bad side effect after only one dose. The pharmacy insert said it could cause "rare but very serious side effects: stomach pain" was listed on the list, which is what I had last night. These antibiotics are not worth taking...

November 2005-- prescribed Levaquin 500mg for pneumonia. around the 6th day I was having severe shoulder/arm pain. It became so severe that I could not even lift my arms. I was taken back to the Dr. and then prescribed Prednisone for the pain. The pain in the left arm gradually subsided. About a month later, I went back to the Dr. because of the pain. I was then given Etodolac. I have since then gone back because I still cannot lift my right arm. I was given yet another prescription which I have not yet filled. I was so trilled to see this website At least I know that I am not crazy. It is March 2006 and I am still in severe pain.

Edema beneath eyes and to hands, finger joints sore and appear very white when fingers are straightened. Swollen right knee with edema to knee and painful while walking or trying to straighten out leg. Just came from having an ultrasound on right leg to rule out DVT. Thank God, no blood clot found! Also edema to right ankle. Shoulder and elbow joints sore! Too tired after short exertion. I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg one per day x 14 days for sinus/bronchitis. Was told to repeat this if not cleared. Three weeks passed and repeated levaquin. Into the 7th day side effects started and I stopped taking the med. I wish I had never taken it and wonder if I will ever feel my good ole self again??? At the doc's office I stated that I felt these things happening to me was a result of the levaquin as I had none of these symptoms before. It was stated back that he didn't think so. Had much blood work this a.m. also awaiting results. Please research all drugs before taking them. You are right.. Dr's are too quick to rely on FDA approved and not researching these drugs before prescribing. Looking forward to getting better. S.B

I am a 25 year old healthy female. I was diagnosed with a severe sinus infection that I made worse by flying while infected. I was terribly sick and my ears were swollen. My DR prescribed Levaquin 500MG for 10 days. I am on day 5, and despite the fact that I am feeling better, I am concerned because I am experiencing severe abdominal pains and have been for 3 days. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, please write and let me know what it possibly is. Please email me: ******

Also- the first three days I took Levaquin I felt compleatly drunk and/or high. This would have been a delight in college, but now it caused me to miss even more work and endanger myself by driving. I suggest taking it (if you have no choice) before you go to bed.

I have been on Levaquin 500mg for four days now. I have experienced severe swelling and soreness in my legs and feet. I am sore all over with major lower back discomfort. I have been slightly dizzy at different times of the day. I also have had very vivid dreams the last 3 nights and had no idea this was related to the drug. I have also had night incontinence for the last 3 nights, and I have never, ever had that before. After reading this site just now, I called my doctor and told her about the side effects. She stated these are not listed side effects and wants me to come in tomorrow morning to get checked. She thinks it might be a new condition. I really feel it is all related to the drug after reading all the posts. I have already taken my dose for today before I found this site. I am going to see the Doctor in the morning but I do not plan on continuing to take Levaquin and will ask for a different antibiotic. These side effects have been harder on me than the infection that they were prescribed for.

Hubby has been sick for weeks now. I went to the pharmacy to pick up yet another prescription of an antibiotic (Levaquin 500mg 2nd 7 day dosage) for him. He has bronchitis. They decided to do one of those prescrition counceling sessions just in case this was a new perscription for him. The lady was very nice and explained the possible side effects to me! One of which is fatigue (heaviness in legs and arms) and drowsiness, shortness of breath and more. I was
shocked!!! These are all the problems my hubby has been describing! He thought he was going to have a heart attack. I said "I'll bet hubby didn't pay attention when you all told him this the first time!" She said well it's also written right here, and there was the huge long read out of all the possible side effects etc!!!! I said oh he wouldn't read that it's too small of print and far too much information!

Well guess what! I told him about it. He stopped taking it
yesterday, just to see if the meds were the cause of him feeling so horrible. LOL, more than 30 hours after he stopped taking Levaquin...he just read the entire newspaper including the horoscopes, funnys and all (HE NEVER DOES THIS) and now wants to take me out for Breakfast! We're both laughing at how much better he feels! I can't tell you the huge relief to see him feeling better, and I know he's as thrilled or more than I am!!!!

HOLY CROW! Who'd have thought his "antibiotics" would have caused him to feel so miserable!!! Be cautious and watch for side effects if you ever have to take Levaquin. The doctor had seen my husband again before giving him the new prescription and he has an appointment now with a Neurologist and a Proctologist for alot more testing. WHY didn't the doctor see that the symptoms he was hearing and seeing were side effects of Levaquin??????

Thank You for this forum, it's shed alot more light (scarey as it all is) on what my husband was taking and the side effects that he was having. I'm putting the word out to all my family and friends of the experience and especially cautioning them before taking the medication.

After taking Levaquin 500mg daily for seven days plus one injection:

Side Effects:
- Body Aches and Sore Joints - especially the shoulders
- Nausea
- Night Chills
- Swollen & Achy Testicles
- Swollen, Sore, Stiff Right Foot, protruding up through calve muscle

With four days of medication remaining I called my doctor and told him I could not continue. He switched me to Zithromax and most of my symptoms have disappeared. After being off Levaquin for four days, my foot is still very sore, to the point where it effects my ability to sleep.

m not sure what to do next - do I even call the doctor - or call my dentist or just hope it goes away with good oral care. This really sucks!

It is my 10th and final day of Levaquin 500mg qd. I began taking it for sinusitis that became pharyngitis/laryngitis. Since beginning the drug, I have experienced decreased mental acuity, lightheadedness, food and drinks taste salty, extremely bizarre & lucid dreams -- sometimes 5-6 per night that I can remember or at least can remember how strange they were. Also, I have experienced everything from diarrhea to complete cessation of BM, bloating, and extreme nausea.

Levaquin is probably one of the most damaging drugs in the market. I was given Levaquin 500mg for 20 days by a Urologist for a possible urinary infection. (It later turned out that the frequent urination for which I was given this medication had nothing to do with urinary infection and all the symptoms remained the same after completing the 20 day course, but that is a different story).

Now about the side effects. I started having on and off chest pains about a month ago and now the frequency of those chest pains have grown to almost persistent chest pain. It is getting me very nervous. I also notice my left knees are sometimes totally limp and unable to move.

Those doctors who prescribe this medication without becoming aware of its side effects and not informing the patients about its side effects should be prosecuted to maximum extent by the law and it should be considered a felony to prescribe this medication without considering alternatives.

I would like to know if anyone has noticed any of the symptoms getting better with time. I am curious to know if we can expect any of the symptoms to get better with time or worse? Also, I would like to know if anyone has been able to treat any of the side effects.

We need to get a petition together and file with FDA about Levaquin and its disastrous side effects. How can FDA approve this medication without a thorough study of its side effects?

Looking forward for any responses.

Thanks.

i just took a dose of Levaquin 500mg that was prescribed to me yesterday for a lingering sinus infection.
After feeling like i am going through menapause this morning (i am 32).. i looked it up on the internet and found this site.
It has only been in my system for maybe 3 hours and i am sweating constantly, my heart rate is extremely excelerated, my eyes feel like the pupils are the size of a dime, my stomach is upset, and i am not breathing normally. I seem to have a shortness of breath. I am an extremely fit and healthy person. I do believe after this first dose and reading the postings on this site.. I will not take another pill tomorrow. I just pray that this does not linger long. I really feel "out of control"

Katina, CLT, NC

I was prescribed Levaquin (500mg x 10 days) for bronchitis and ear infection. I'd already taken heavy regimen of Augmentin a few weeks prior, but my symptoms only abated temporarily and then returned 'full force'. My case is a little different from the typical poster, as I was not ignorant of the possible nasty s/e of this drug. In fact, when the Levoquan was first prescribed for me, I read this message board (among others) and was scared enough by what I read that didn't start this medication right away. I went back to my MD to discuss my concerns; he acknowledged that some people do experience some bad side effects from this drug but indicated that these effects tend be pretty rare and didn't think I would have a problem - given my age (32) and otherwise good health.

After waiting a few days and debating whether to try this medicine, my upper respiratory infection worsened and my ear pain became so tormenting that I finally decided it was worth the risk to at least try Levaquin...hoping I'd be one of the lucky one who experienced few, if any, side effects.

After taking the first pill yesterday, everything seemed fine for several hours. In fact, I almost immediately noticed improvement of my URI and ear ache. However, last night before bed I noticed that both of my knees felt swollen and walking felt uncomfortable. I also noticed an audible "clicking" sound in my knee joint when using stairs. Today, I called my MD to report my symptoms. My doctors nurse called me back and suggested I not taking any more doese until she was able to discuss this matter with the doctore (who was out of the office but due to return tomorrow). By the time the nurse gave this advise, I'd already taken the second dose of Levaquil earlier in the day. Tonight, my knee pain (especially right) is much worse and it hurts to get up and walk around. I'm starting to feel like an old man. I've never had any joint problems or tendonitis prior to taking this medication. Tomorrow I intend to ask my doctor for advice. I don't plan on taking any more of this medication. I do fee a little conflicted though, because now after taking the second dose of Levaquin, my upper respiratory infection seems almost gone and my ears have completely stopped aching.

If anyone has any suggestions, it would be appreciated. Should I expect that my knee pain will resolve in a few days after stopping this med? Again, I'm a health 32 year old male, and hope that this drug hasn't done anything irreperable (sp?). Thanks for listening.

I was prescriped Levaquin 500mg for Bronchitis and have started feeling joint pains in my shoulders and wrists and forearms. I thought I was dehydrating but something told me to check side effects of this medicine. I don't think I have ever taken it and my doctor said she had given it to me before. I am going to stop taking it because after one pill I am miserable with this pain. I have a newborn, I don't even feel like picking her up. I would rather have Bronchitis! Also I have started itching too, another sign something was wrong.

Today is my first day of Levaquin. 500mg 1x day for Bartonella, a co-infection of Lyme Disease. Only mild stomach issues so far. My doctor warned me that if I start to feel soreness in my tendons (knees, ankles, elbows, etc.) to stop taking the drug immediately. I want to warn people because this is a similar side effect of ciprofloxacin. A friend of mine took cipro and his tendons now are shot, he can barely walk. Apparently this can happen also with Levaquin. Please be careful!

My internal medicine specialist prescribed Levaquin 500MG, one per day on 10/14/03 for lesions on right arm. Took last dose 11/07/03 when my dermatologist said I should stop taking the Levaquin and start Cipro. I checked with my nephrologist who was treating me with plasma exchanges for a peripheral neuropathy was advised they used Cipro "all the time" and it would be OK for me to switch from the Levaquin to Cipro (also a fluoroquinolone). On 11/08 I started Cipro and took only one dose before becoming nauseated. On 11/10 I left a message for my dermatologist that I was switching back to Levaquin because the Cipro caused nausea. I got no response to the message. On 11/24/03, while standing motionless beside my van, my LEFT ACHILLES TENDON SPONTANEOUSLY RUPTURED. I am now taking NON-Fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Interestingly, when I made a routine followup visit to my internal medicine M.D. on 1/20/04 and brought him up to date about my 11/24 tendon rupture and showed him literature about tendon damage as a side effect associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics, he replied, "Oh yes, they are a known risk for tendon problems." It didn't occur to me until this moment while looking back into my journal that this is the same doctor who originally prescribed the Levaquin. The sad point of this situation is that NONE of the physicians recognized the risk of my taking fluoroquinolones. I have been on long-term Prednisone therapy for the neuropathy. The literature is filled with references highlighting the risk of tendon damage associated with the combination of steroid therapy and fluoroquinolone usage. I've been in a cast for 10 weeks and will be in physical therapy for several weeks, all of which has set back my therapy for the neuropathy and caused an overall deterioration in my condition. Does anyone think my docs were negligent?

I was given a 3 day course of Levaquin 500mg for a UTI as I am allergic to Sulfa medications. Right away after taking the first pill I felt very bloated and nauseated. I didn't think much of this, as some medications can have this side effect. I thought twice the next day however when I up most of the night with muscle pain, a horrible headache and anxiety. All during that day I felt so drained and achey you would have sworn I had the flu! I am so pissed that I feel worse now then I did when I had the UTI.... I even read the side effects on the printed sheet the pharmacy gave me and didn't expect this!

I have just finished a ten day course of levaquin 500mg po q day.Maybe I was lucky but I had no severe side effects like those listed in this site. Many times AB Tx will effect the gastrointestinal system and cause some fatigue, but I felt like that any way from the bronchitis post flu.

I took (1) Levaquin (500mg) tab for a severe kidney infection at about 7:00 at night, at about 8:00 I started to have terrible, horrible pains near my vaginal area and my anal area. To describe the pain it felt like i was in active labor. The pains came like spazums and lasted for about 2-5 mins localized in that area. Also at 8:00 this morning i felt like i was in an all day workout and/or hung-over. I will not be taking another pill and will call my doctor to be prescribed another antibotic. I am so glad that i am not the only person with these side effects, at least i know that it not just a one person thing.

I was given samples of Levaquin 500mg. for a case of pneumonia that I am suffering from. My doctor gave me enough for a 10-day treatment. I am have now taken the first 4 doses, and am experiencing zero side effects from it at all. I feel bad for those people that are experiencing adverse reactions, but personally i feel that this drug is working and I would recomend that if you are prescribed this medication to talk to your doctor about any concerns that you may have, and if they still believe that you should try it, I would at least give it a chance. Plus there are many web sites out there that allow you to list all medications that you may be taking and will report back if there is a possibility of any adverse interactions between them. Sometimes there may be a synergistic effect between different medications and your doctor may not be up to speed about all of them, so you will have to do some homework of your own.
My belief-----levaquin works, and I will continue to take it.

I had a urological procedure yesterday and the doctor prescribed Levaquin, 500mg as a precaution. today is the second time taking the tablet, it definitely is a dangerous drug. i have been vomiting for most of the day, i have no appetite and my stomach is very queasy.. i woke up with a terrible lower back pain and it has persisted all day. i have asked the doc to change to something less nauseating.

I'm only on the third day of Levaquin 500mg, but I'm so glad I found this website. My doctor prescribed Levaquin for my "borderline walking pneumonia." I was initially glad to have a pill to get me on feet again since I was down for a week with coughing. The first day was great, I slept a lot, felt weak but I was positive. Yesterday I took my 2nd pill and had all this initial outburst of energy. I got a lot done around the house and even had appetite for a steak and potato dinner. This morning after the 3rd pill, I definitely took a turn for the worse. I felt this weakening, to the point I could hardly stand up, so I thought I would lie down and I slept for 3 1/2 hours straight with chills and really intense dreams. I could hardly get up, and then I felt nausea, got the shakes and more chills. I have never felt so bad in a long time. Thanks to this website, I got a lower dose of medication (Z-pack) and hope the last Levaquin pill has passed thru' my system. I felt very scared and thankful that others have experienced similar side effects so I didn't feel so all alone.