Levaquin and pharmacist

Extreme nausea, stiff joints, weak, dizzy, quickened pulse.
11/08/08
After taking just one dose of Levaquin, I can say with confidence, this is the atom bomb of antibiotics. My doctor was off for three days, so I went to a walk-in clinic with a solid reputation in Westport CT. My problem was a sinus infection that had gotten slightly better after a round of Clarithrymicin, but was reincarnating itself every week or so with new symptoms. At the time of the visit, I had been sick almost 6 weeks, and now had a phlegmy cough and felt run-down.

The doctor prescribed Levaquin rather casually, said I seemed to have a touch of bronchitis. He never mentioned possible side effects, asked no questions about my history. Adding insult to injury, when paying for the scrip at CVS, I discovered, that having exceeded the cap my insurer pays for medications, 10 tabs of Levaquin cost me $219 -- the good news was, without an insurance discount, it would have cost $310, To his credit, the pharmacist looked embarrassed.

After taking one tab, 750 mg, around 7:00 pm, I woke at 3:00 am feeling very nauseous. I used deep breathing to get back to sleep. In the morning, I felt better, my cough was already gone, but the nausea continued. As the day wore on, my joints felt dry and stiff, my heart raced, I was weak and dizzy. The thought of taking another tab felt like participation in my own poisoning.

I looked up Levaquin on Medications.com, and was glad so many people had taken the time to report their stories. In the end, I didn't take another tab, and don't much feel like ever going to a doctor again. My symptoms hardly justified such a powerful blast. Doctors need to question the authority of their masters, the greedy pharmaceutical ghouls.

I just spent $40 on a 10 day supply of Levaquin (750 mg). I am so upset - for one I am out $40, and now I don't want to take it. Of course the pharmacist will not take it back. I am a 30 year old female, (weigh 105 lbs) and have had serious reactions to medication before. To top it off I have fluid in both ears, which is why I got this medicine in the first place. I am assuming that most of you would tell me to stay away from it. I feel like I should try it since I spent all that money on it, but I am afraid to now. Any thoughts from anyone. I can't believe my doctor didn't say anything about the possible side effects.

No, I am not a drug rep,I am simply just being honest.Not everyone has a terrible experience from this drug. I am sorry that so many of you have had so many bad reactions,just like any medication it may not be for everyone,but it does work for some.

My 80 year old mom is going through Chemo for Bladder Cancer. She is also diabetic. Bacteria was found in her urine so the doctor gave her 4 tablets of Levaquin. Saturday night of Labor day weekend mom took the first pill. Sunday she woke up almost BLIND! She panicked and, thinking it was her diabetes causing the problem, took her blood sugar numbers. (She was so scared that she can't recall what the numbers were, just that they were 250+). She started taking her fast acting insulin. She couldn't get the blood sugar numbers to come down after numerous injections. She called me so confused and not knowing what to do. Thank God I wasn't gone that weekend. I rushed 18 miles into town. I calmed her down. We just kept watching the numbers and she kept taking her injections. About 6 hours later the numbers were down to normal for her. We narrowed the cause down to either the Levaquin or the infusion of platletts she had on Friday. We called the pharmacist and he said that Levaquin could cause blurriness of vision. She didn't take any more Levaquin.
It had been 10 days since she took that one pill and her eye sight is still messed up. When she tries to read the newspaper the letters jump around. She has a hard time reading the dosage numbers on her syringes now. She is so scared that her eyes won't get better and she will have to be dependent on someone.

My 81 year old mother, who has Diabetes and Blood Pressure (and who is on eleven medications) was given a prescription for 750(!!!) mgs of this drug, by the doctor's physician assistant for a mild upper respiratory infection. Four days later, she ends up in the hospital delirious and confused, with pain in her back and legs. She recognized no one. After a few days, and constant intravenous fluids, she came back to herself. She's always been sharp as a tack, and in pretty good shape for her age. When she was brought to the hospital, they thought she was stroking, and of course, she couldn't tell them that she was just prescribed this medication. All her battery of tests came back negative for stroke. Her useless doctor never even showed up at the hospital. If she had, she could have told them about the prescribed Levaquin. When she was released from the hospital, I called the pharmacist and asked what medication that she was taking could of caused this - and he said without a doubt, the Levaquin. This stuff is absolute poison and should not be on the market. How it got approved, I don't know - maybe kickbacks to them - for sure kickbacks to the doctors who prescribe it and claim side affects are very rear with this medication. If you are every given a prescription for this - ask your doctor for something else.

I have just finished taking Levaquin for a 10day treatment for pneumonia. In the last 5 days or so I have noticed stiffness in my achilles tendon (no pain) until I get moving. I have also notice a tremor in my hands and no muscle weakness and shaking in my triceps and quads. Of course I hadn't read the precautions to this drug before noticing these symptoms. I contacted both my pharmacist and physician and neither seemed concerned and told me if I was really worried to go to the emergency room. I am wondering if these symptoms will disappear since I am no longer on the drug, how long it will take, and how long I should worry about tendon damage----is the possibility of rupture forever???

I am diagnosed with COPD. On March14, 2008, I visited my pulmonologist due to having a bacterial infection in the lungs and nose. I was given a script for Levaguin 750 mg for 7 days. After my first dose, my feet felt like they were on fire. I spoke with the pharmacist and he said it could be a side effect. I finished the meds with a lot of trepidation, feeling uneasy and anxious. However my large toes began to have a tingling sensation, which I reported to my PCP and he said to keep a check on it. I just came from my PCP today, July 8,2008 and now, in addition to my lung problem, I have peripheral neurophathy, involving all my toes and also my hands. This medicine is dangerous, as looking back at the time after I took this medicine, I was seriously considering ending it all! I will never take any medication in the future until I research it thoroughly. I trust my PCP and I trusted my pulmonologist, but I feel the pulmonologist should have informed me of the possible bad sich effects. Be careful out there!!!

I am a 54 year old, very active female. Had a UTI and was given 750 Levaquin. I have taken 10 days worth and began having a sore swollen ankle, followed by right knee pain, followed by shoulder and arm pain. I have never experienced muscle pain to this degree before. I am scheduled for a doctor appt in 3 days. I started trying to imagine what could be causing this. I took a shot and looked up Levaqin side effects this morning, after another night of no sleep and severe shoulder pain. Well guess what, from everything I just read I think I found the source. The problem now is how do I get my life back???? The one thing I am sure of is it's time to stop taking the poison!!!

Well, I am not posting a side effect. I actually stumbled upon this website while trying to look up whether hypoglycemia is a side effect of Levaquin. I am a physician assistant and routinely prescribe this medication. Unfortunately ALL medications have the potential for causing many many many different side effects. Obviously one has to weigh the benefits of using the medication with the risk of side effects. And certain side effects are obviously more common than others. While I appreciate the point of a website like this, it is very frustrating for me, as a clinician, to read someone posting things that are absolutely untrue which can potentially cause undue distress or worry for everyone who may read it. I am referring to the person who wanted "to let everyone know of the relationship between levaquin and vancomycin." Her only source for this WRONG information is a nurse who told her daughter. Did she ever think that the nurse could be wrong and that maybe before posting something like that she should ask a pharmacist or a physician. Vancomycin and floroquinolones are not related pharmacologically!!!!

My father was prescribed Levaquin 750mg as a 5 day dose. They call it a Levapak. After the first couple of days he began having restlessness, headache, and the scariest of all, emotional distress and fear of death. He would start crying for no apparent reason. This is a normally emotionally strong man who has been reduced to tears by this medication. He couldn't sleep because of the restlessness. He had, like one of the others here, feelings of futility. It didn't occur to us that it could be the Levaquin until we found this website. He only had one day's dose left by this time, but he is not going to finish it. We only wish we had found out sooner. He would have quit taking it immediately. His Pharmacist told us that he should stop taking it also and put a note in his file to never fill this prescription for him again. Even the Pharmacist said that he has heard of this happening and that this drug should be off the market. I just hope others who find this website can take some solice in knowing that you're not going crazy.

Wow, I had no idea that Levaquin affected so many people. My daughter had knee surgery a couple of years ago. They gave her vancomycin before the surgery. She had an allergic reaction to the stuff. She also found out from one of the nurses that levaquin is related to vancomycin.

I had a total hip replacement 3 years ago and they gave me vancomycin just before the surgery. I was laid up in the hospital for a week. When I arrived home I noticed that my skin was really itchy (mostly my arms). Whenever I scratched it left whelps and turned extremely red. Now after 3 years my skin is still itchy, but not as frequent as it used to be. Has anyone had this problem with their skin?

I wanted everyone to be aware of the relation between vancomycin and levaquin.

Good luck to all.

I posted a few months ago about the terrible side effects I had by taking Levaquin and Cipro on two different occasions for prostate infections. I have been off these antibiotics for almost a year now, and the good news is that I am almost back to normal. At one time I could barely walk, but now I can walk for 3 miles with no problems. I had gone to 9 different doctors and none of them had a clue that it was the antibiotics causing my problems. Luckily, I contacted a very intelligent medical resident at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta that immediately knew that I was having severe reactions to the Levaquin, and that Cipro had caused similar problems for me a few months earlier. A Pharmacist at Emory University also agreed that the antibiotics had terrible side effects for some people. After months, the pain has finally gone away.

I read where Senator Robert Byrd had been hospitalized for reactions to antibiotics he was taking for an urinary tract infection. I'll bet his doctors gave him Cipro or Levaquin. Has anyone heard what medications he was taking? Just Curious????

Severe Depression: Our 18 year old daughter started taking Levaquin as prescribed to treat her pneumonia (brought on by Influenza-A and accelerated by her asthma). Within four -five hours of taking the first dose, a sense of panic and frustration hit. Thinking she was stressed as one normally might be over missing college classes and the thought of what she had to do to catch up on her work, we continued with her second dose. Within two hours of that second dose, she was unable to stop crying, unable to sleep without nightmares and truly unable to cope with the situation. After a call to the pharmacist and then to our doctor, her medication was immediately changed. Within 12 hours after taking that last dose of Levaquin, she returned to her normal personality and has since continued to recover from her pneumonia, has returned to college, and resumed her life. I have never seen anything so frightening as the side effects of this medication on our daughter. Neither she, nor anyone else in our family, will take Levaquin in the future... or any other drug in that family of medicines. Be cautious if prescribed, avoid if possible.

My 16 year old son took Levaquin 6 months ago and had a bad reaction to it. His symptoms were severe muscle weakness (he would get exhausted walking from the parking lot to a store and back, severe joint pain (in thumbs, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles), dizziness (he felt like the room was moving away from him and would lose balance), and headaches (a severe pressure in the back of his head that was constant and then shooting pains in his his head that would come and go for no reason). I should say he was in top shape before this and wrestling in the 125 pound category. He took Levaquin to prevent an infection after sinus surgery.

Now 6 months later, his joint pain is completely gone except for his knees. They still hurt when he does squats and they are not good enough for him to go back to wrestling, but he can walk around pain free. His dizziness is also gone as well as his muscle weakness. His headaches are still there and still constant, but not as bad as they once were; however, he has had them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 6 months. He is on Lyrica which has helped make the headaches subside.

I have taken him to more than 16 medical doctors of all specialties, had multiple MRIs, CT Scans, blood tests, spinal tap, and an MRA. All come back negative. Thankfully, despite all of this, he still remains happy and positive that he will once again be 100% healthy; it will take lots of time, but he will get better. I know the first three symptoms (joint pain, dizziness, weakness) are clearly Levaquin related, but I haven't heard much about the headaches from people. Anyone else out there that has suffered from a constant headache after Levaquin? I REALLY want to hear about headaches from others!!!!

By the way, we have filed a medwatch already. I also know that Levaquin is not approved for anyone under 18 years old and he never needed such a powerful drug to prevent an infection, but there is nothing I can do about that now except to warn others. One of his UCLA doctors wants to write a case study on him to make this more known to others and I am helping him with that.

If anyone has questions, please feel free to ask. If you have had a headache from Levaquin, please let me know where in the head the pain was, if it is constant, what it feels like (pressure, shooting, throbbing), how long you have had it, and what, if anything, helped. THANKS.

I have taken Levaquin 500 mg daily for the last 7 days. I am quitting it today! I am so tired. Cannot sleep! Have severe pain in both of my hips! I do not have a history of sleep disorder or hip pain!!! I even have severe pain in both of my shoulders now as well. My doctors insist this isn't from the med. My pharmacist differs in that opinion!! This stuff is POISON!!!
I am a registered nurse and will preach this to any and everyone who will listen!!!
I only pray I will not suffer a tendon rupture even after I have stopped this med! If that happens I will contact an attorney! Can we get a class-action lawsuit for all of us and to prevent others from this terrible experience???

Hey all. I suspect many of you would agree that one of the most infuriating aspects of this antibiotic nightmare is that seemingly, there aren't many {none that I've dealt with} doctors/nurses or pharmacists that will even acknowledge the potential {and VERY REAL} side effects of these drugs.

On 01/10/08 I was put on Cipro 500mg twice daily, two week supply, for epididymitis, which likely stemmed from a bacterial infection/urinary infection back in late Oct of 07. It's an infection that can require a lengthy dosage due to eliminate bacteria growth. I was also prescribed a painkiller along with it.

That night after dosing had horrible nausea/vomiting, and chalked it up to the painkiller ... which at that point it likely was. Within a few days the groin pain from the infection had subsided a great deal, and although felt a little 'odd' from the Cipro, nothing too noteworthy. At eight days into treatment, became nauseous around the clock with bizarre flu like symptoms. I called the doctor at the ER who had diagnosed me, and she switched me to Doxycilline {sp?}, which isn't a quinolone. After stopping the Cipro, nausea disappeared. However, within a week the pain of the infection returned, apparently due to the weaker antibiotic.

So I was re-checked on 01/24/08 and put on Levaquin, 250gm once daily. Within a day or so the pain subsided once again, but on the third day developed horrible diarrhea and pain in my left knee/leg. Stopped taking it immediately, and decided to research my dilemma online, where to my horror I've discovered all sorts of people from all walks of life experiencing debilitating side effects from this grouping of fluoroquinolone/quinolones antibiotics.

I'm now on Cephalexin, and the pharmacist I spoke with today assured me that it's not part of the quinolone grouping. He also suggested that I must be part of that small pool of the populace that has trouble with quinolone antibiotics ... one begins to wonder just how "small" this pool is given how the average person isn't likely to associate muscle/joint pain with the antibiotic they're ingesting.

How this POISON has lasted so long on the market without more exposure/media coverage speaks volumes about the state of corporate America, with nearly every social system compromised {usually at the expense of the corporation's victims} , with little or no help from the corporate owned mainline media, which serves as nothing but a megaphone platform for vested intertests to transmit "official" opinion to the unwary. So here I be with very painful knee, which I should add is already compromised due to a major tibial plateau fracture in 2001.

I'd love to know whose palms are being greased to keep this rat poison available ... hell, I even had to pay over our insurance co-pay fore the Levaquin, as it's apparently a "top shelf" drug.

Good luck everyone ... and it probably doesn't need to be said, but man, I know after this I will check and double check any and every antibiotic that may be perscribed to our daughter in the future!

I am so upset just reading these posts! I started on a regimen of 500 mg of Levaquin on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 along with an Advair inhaler for treatment of a bronchial infection. On Thursday I started feeling twinges in my knees when I went up and down steps. By Sunday, I could barely bend my knees so I called the Pharmacist. She suggested it was the Advair so I discontinued using it but still called my MD in the morning. She prescribed massive doses of ibuprofen (800 mg) which in a 32 hour period did NOTHING to relieve the pain. If anything it has gotten worse. I spoke to a friend the same evening who said her husband had severe muscle/joint pain in his hands when he took Levaquin this summer. This morning I called my MD twice in tears (she didn't respond until 3:30 PM.) She still doesn't seem to think it's the Levaquin but told me to take Benadryl (after I told her that this is what my friend's husband's MD told him to do!) I am going in to see her on Thursday morning and I will go armed with these comments from all of you brave people who are suffering from the effects of this awful drug!

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

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 am sorry to hear of the trouble and pain that you all are having!

The common thread is the the DOCTOR didn't tell of the dangers and side effects. This is not at all unusual. I am employed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician for one of the largest HMO's in the country and have also worked for retail pharmacies. If I have learned anything at all it is this; ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING MEDICATIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO A LICENSED PHARMACIST!! Day in an day out I see doctors, PA's and RN's who are all but clueless as to drug interactions, proper uses, side effects, even proper & safe dosing! Countless times the Pharmacist will catch and error and not only save the patient from a potentially fatal mistake but also save the doctor's license, yet they are not given the respect they deserve. These people go to college for 7 to 8 years and study every possible aspect of pharmacology. Our society puts such God-like faith in doctors and fails to realize, they have only studied pharmacology, if we are lucky, for a couple of classes for one semester. Graduates now, at least in my home state are earning the degree PharmD (Doctorate of Pharmacy).

Please, please, PLEASE, don't say "Oh, I have no questions, my doctor told me" or "If I have questions, I'll ask my doctor." ASK A PHARMACIST!!! Granted, even the best trained pharmacist can't predict ALL potential problems but their knowledge is far superior to the vast majority of doctors!

Another point to consider; doctors are greatly influence by "drug reps", salespeople from the pharmaceutical companies that tout a new "drug du jour" every week, bombarding the docs with free samples, promotional gimmicks while wining and dining them so they will push (prescribe) THEIR product over the competitors' or any older but just as effective medication that most likely costs less too!

Again I wish only the best to all of you and my heart goes out to you who are suffering.

Susan

I was on Levaquin for 6 of the 7 prescribed days, and as a result I have extreme joint pain. I am 37 years old and feel like I am 70 years old. I can't walk up or down stairs easily, it hurts when I get dressed, wash my hair...basically any movement hurts. After the first 2 days of taking the meds, I called the pharmacist since it was the weekend, and he told me that the Levaquin shouldn't cause this and it was OK to continue using it. So, I did through Sunday, then called my Dr. on Monday when I was instructed to discontinue its use. The only side effect remotely similar that was noted was "rupture of Achilles tendon" in rare instances. I've read some of the other messages that were posted and am glad to see that the pain some of you are having is subsiding. I sure hope mine does too. I go for blood work on Friday to see if any real damage has been done.

My mother actually already posted about my experience with Levaquin, but I thought I would add my own story.
After being perscribed Levaquin and taking only one...I couldn't sleep, my heart rate (normally below 60) was at atleast 110, I thought people were outside my house and envisioned them talking about killing me. I have never felt this way in my life. It was very scary and I called the ER to ask if I should continue taking the meds. They told me to take another and see what happens... Thank goodness I threw it up, because after reading these horror stories, I'm afraid I may have had permanent damage. This drug is absolutely awful for those with side effects. Stop taking them at the first sign of symptoms like these. Most doctors it looks like are oblivious to the fact that this is happening.

I was prescribed Levaquin 500 for possibility of a low grade infection (101 temp). Within two days I started feeling anxious, unable to sleep, sweating, dizziness, severe pain in both knees and elbows - could not walk. Upset stomachnausea even though I followed instructions to drink a lot of water. Then flashing began in my eyes. I stopped taking the pills after the third day. The other symptoms began to stop. However the flashing in my eyes continued only to be replaced with big black floaters which, I understand, are permanent.
I had NOT received any warnings from the doctor or the pharmacist other than to "take with a lot of water".

I am a physician and have prescribed levaquin to many people. I have had some of them complain of what they thought were serious and variable side effects but mostly I attributed their problems to anxiety and hypochondiasis. I now know differently. I took levaquin, and for over a year I have had serious CNS anxiety, insomnia, joint and tendon pain, and widespread peripheral neuropathy. It has been an awful time and since realizing that the effects are often long term I have been able to identify many other patients who have developed serious long term problems with anxiety, depression, arthropathy and tendonopathy, neuropathy and possibly endocrine effects like gonadal failure and worsening of diabetes. There are no long term studies done post marketing to identify these effects and to unify all of these problems into one syndrom of fluoroquinolone toxicity. This is a big problem and I believe thousands of patients have been adversely affected by the use and misuse of levaquin and probably the other fluoroquinolone antibiotics. I have other colleagues who are beginning to recognize the long term consequences of levaquin and the fluoroquinolones. More research and study needs to be done. In the mean time I am sure that Johnson and Johnson, Ortho- Mcneil, will continue to refute that the incidence of serious adverse reactions is much higher than they report.

I went to the doctor on October 9th, 2007, with a sinus infection, that had jumped into my eyes, throat, teeth and ears. I was prescriber Levaquin for 10 days, 750 MG. I took 6 of the pills before I realized that the medication was my problem.

From the beginning I could not sleep, which is totally unusual for me. The minute I would lay down my skin would begin to feel itchy and I became very anxious. I had to miss several days work as I was told that my illness was highly contagious and the side effects had already begin setting in. I had blurred vision, heartburn, severe stomach cramps, knee and leg cramps including severe pain when walking or trying to stand up. I felt as though I had been run over by a SEMI-TRUCK. I would feel a little "out of it" if I had telephone conversations with anyone. I finally realized that it was either the medication or I really had a bad medical problem. I called the pharmacist who told me to contact my doctor immediately. When speaking with my doctor, I was told to discontinue the medication immediately, but unfortunately I had already taken the dosage for that day. I was told that I had enough of it in my system to last another day or two.

My legs and knees are giving me so much pain, that it is unbearable to walk or attempt to stand. I am still having abdominal cramps and my vision is also continuing to give me problems.

Heaven only knows why I decided to look on the web to see if anyone else had encountered problems, but at least at this point I know I am not going crazy.

It is quite frightening to think that the side effects on this medication could be long term. My advice to anyone given this medication by your doctor...tell him "NO WAY!"

I went on levaquin-2 rounds of it, due to pneumonia. I felt very out of sorts and discombobulated. Dizzyness, word recall problems, insomnia, diahrrea. My tongue was coated with a thick white film. One night my tongue and my hand felt very disconnected to me, and I had a strange but familiar taste or sensation in my mouth but I couldn't name it. It lasted 3 or 4 minutes. I think I may have had a petit mal seizure. I have been having trouble with my vision, things I read are blurry now, and I have never worn glasses, or had vision problems before. I have been off of this medication for 6 days now, and I am still feeling some of these side effects. I rarely have any side effects from medications. I will never take this again.

I'm so glad that I found this page. I injured my back 3 years ago and have been taking prescribed opiods for the pain. Recently got a bad UTI that lasted 3 months and they thought it spread to my kidneys, so they put me on Levaquin. The first 2 days nothing but soreness,I felt like I had been held down and beat with a bat. The 3rd day I noticed some swelling on my ankles and attributed it to working and standing on my feet all day. By the 6th day(this past Saturday) I can barely stand my knees and hips hurt so bad that I cut short my training with my Thoroughbred Shelby. I even had to ask my husband to come with me so that I could at least get him brushed out and groomed. I couldn't even hold a large groom brush. I literlly have to roll out of bed and try to prop myself up. My hands and wrists are so swollen that it's hard to just sit up on the side of the bed, and my lower legs, ankles and feet are all pitting edema with pain in every joint and difficulty just standing and walking is even harder. Thank God I have a cane that I use intermittently for my back. Here I was worried that my kidney's had shut down. I also have been looking on the net and found all my symptoms related to Levaquin. I'm not taking this any more.
This drug is dangerous, like others here, not 1 doctor even said a word about this side effect/ allergic reaction I could have. Not even the pharmacist. Sickening. All for a buck in their pocket.

I am a 38 yr old female in excellent health--thin and fit, and don't take antibiotics. I had a bacterial infection and was prescribed levaquin. After the first dose, 24 hrs (500 mg 1x day) I experienced joint pain in a place i'd once injured a wrist. A few hours later it was into my hands--a deep ache, with a tight, numb feeling them. By the second dose--48 hrs later, it my joints and forearm area ached as if I'd lifted crazy weights. It moved into my shoulders, neck, hips. By the third dose, I was sleepless. My head ached at the nape of my neck and ears rang. When I got out of bed, I felt shin splints, sore ankles and my fingetips feel like they're asleep. I called the doctor and they told me to discontinue the meds. The bummer is, I was only warned at the doc's ofc of the tummy effects (which didn't happen at all to me since I timed the meals and no booze were ingested). Also the pharmacy did not provide counsel or an informational sheet which floors me after seeing this website. I really hurt. I have faith the symptoms will subside since I'm so early in the dosing. I would never take this again.

My father was in for a quintuple bypass and had a stroke on the table. After surgery they put him on Levaquin, unbeknownest to me. He is now in a rehab facility and had I not walked in one morning and saw the IV drip, I would not have known. He has been having wild hallucinations and confusions so I asked them about it and they discontinued the drug right then. He was on this drug for 22 days, and 6 days later there has been very little change in him. I am very concerned about this, he was always very independent (only 73 years old) he did everything for himself and to see him like this breaks my heart. I hope it will eventually will get out of his system, but from what I have read I am doubtful. Make sure no one you know and love is put on this crap, I sure wish I would have known 22 days sooner.

Just wanted to update my situation. Well the shaking muscles have subsided a bit (it's been 8 days since I've stopped levaquin) been to the dr's 2 more times and had new blood work done yesterday. One doc says 90% sure it's from the levaquin but wants me to take the doxycyline anyway and then see a rhumatologist. My primary disagrees, did more blood work believes it definitely from the levaquin and is sending me to rhumatologist. They also they are updating their warnings in their office to make sure that it states this is a SERIOUS side effect (she also printed me off all my symptoms that are side effects of levaquin from their computer but say "rare") My knees started to subside until I bent down and BAMN just like it was all brand new, they are burning like no tomorrow! My ankles (achilles) and my shoulder tips (where the tendons are) are still killing and I am getting muscle contractions in my thighs and left arm but not as much, this may be due to the muscle relaxers and motrin. I have also been taking diazapam for the spasms so who knows how I would feel otherwise. I am disguising the pain with medication it seems and my fear is I am going to hurt myself worse. One dr told me that if the tendons were going to rupture then there is NOTHING I can do about it, they're going to rupture, the other dr. disagrees. My primary feels I need to be seen and diagnosed asap with tendon and joint pain and feels as though it's serious, but also believes it will not last as long as the other dr said (about 4 months). I am going to go swimming tomorrow because it's suppose to be good excercise for the tendons and joints. I have been putting hot pack and nuprin cream on the knees and ankles (cold seems to aggravate it and make them feel like they're ripping). If I type (like now) I can feel the burning in my shoulders and my left elbow now. This is a serious disease this medication has given me and the second I see the rhumatologist and I am diagonosed with something I do NOT want to hear (like permanant, or long term) I am calling a lawyer. I am not a sue happy person but who the hell does this company think they are making MILLIONS off of this medication and leaving people disabled or dibilitated for long periods of time. I am too young (early 40's) to be feeling like a 80 year old as a matter of fact my mom is 70 and goes to the gym every day and walks and swims, I was the same way until this medication poisoned me. I have herniated discs in my spine and they are aggravated because I have not been able to excersise that is part of my life and routine and I am furious.

If anyone has contacted this company, can you post it here and let me know what they have said? Thank you all and I hope you are all feeling better!

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

To Guest 42227, It won't do any good to tell the pharmacist or the dr. You have to send a medwatch report in. Go to www.fda.gov and fill it out. The drs are not obligated to let the fda know and most of them don't want to anyway because it's hard for them to "bit the hand that feels them" as they say! It's quite a conspiracy.

TO Guest #41844
Who do you work for a drug rep.?

I began taking the drug three days ago due to severe sinusitis. 750mg. for 5 days. I stopped today due to severe weakness, nausea, pain in lower back, diarrhea, blurred vision. sleeplessness and lack of appetite. A coworker told me the same day I started taking it that her son had a severe allergic reaction to the same drug within half an hour of taking the first pill. Since then 3 other co-workers have told me they have experienced very similar reactions to the drug and my mother as well.
After picking up the drug at the pharmacy I asked the pharmacist if there had been any complaints about the drug since I had never taken it, heard of it and the doctor said it was very strong. The pharmacist indicated that no problems had been reported. As many antibiotics as there are on the market I would certainly ask for something else........
BTW I reported it to my pharmacist and my doctor today.

YOU ALL HAVE TO SUBMIT MEDWATCH REPORTS IF YOU WANT TO SEE THIS POISON OFF THE MARKET. PLEASE GO TO WWW.FDA.GOV AND CLICK ON MEDWATCH. ALSO ASK YOUR DR AND PHARMACIST TO DO THE SAME. ALSO GO TO WWW.FQRESEARCH.ORG FOR SOME HELP.

I have posted several times, first my side effects from Levaquin, which have been horrible muscle, joint and tendon aches. My other two posts have been inquiries as to how long the side effects last and if there was anything that could be done to hlep rid them. It has been over an month and a half since I stopped taking the medication and my symptoms have subsided, somewhat. One day I think I am making real progress, the next I feel the effects, but am not hurting as bad as I was even a week ago. One of the frustrations is that doctors don't seem to know what to do - my pharmacist was familiar with the side effects and said that it has to "work itself out of your system" - the prescribing doctor said he has heard of people over 60, who had taken Levaquin, have achilles tendon tears (how bad is that!), but most doctors seem to think you are making the side effects up definitely don't offer any solutions. What I have done, is go to a very good health food store and they had me take A.M. and P.M. Zyflamend, an ionic liquid magnessium and a liquid cal/mag/zinc dose. I have also started taking the "odorless" 1200 mg fish oil twice daily. I don't know if this has all helped me to feel better, or if it is coincidence with the side effects running their course. I am still not back to 100%, but at least I am feeling better. This is such a frustrating, painful experience that no one should have to go through from taking an antibiotic. Why this medication is still on the market is a mystery to me. Can only be attributed to "big pharmaceutical" money. For those suffering, the above health food recommendations might be worth a try. If anyone else has some good suggestions for eliminating the side effects, please post!!

I was put on levaquin for a 5 day treatment at 500mg. for a uti. On the 3rd day I was having pain in my upper arm by my nuscle and shoulder. The next day I woke up out of my sleep with bad pain in my knees. I did not finish the medicine. It has been 48 hours since I stopped and I have pain in my arms and fingers. My legs knees hurt and pain in my stomach. I did not relize these were side effects until I read this post. I had headaches and pain in my back and stomach but I thought it was from the UTI. Just typing hurts know. I wish people would post follow ups to give some of us some hope. THe pharmacist told me I should feel better in a couple of days, but after reading this I am alittle nervous. Today my arms are worse, and that is after 48 hours after taking the medicine

The first night I started levaquin I had difficulty sleeping and woke up in a panic @ 2am. The second night I slept only 2 hours of which was restless sleep. I have had several episodes of tachycardia (high heart rate), just pounding! I have felt uneasy and anxious as well. My teeth and joints are sore. However, despite all this discomfort, my sinus infection is clearing. The pharmacist doesn't seem concerned, however I am calling my physician in the morning. I suppose this is simply the antibiotic battling the infection. I feel worse on the medication!
By the way -this is the 5 day 750mg pack. Thanks, Dana

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!

Recently, my phisician gave me some samples to take home for a lung infection. Was at Sams club getting the rest of the prescription filled and I took one of the 500 mg Levaquin she had provided.

Within seconds my inner lips felt funny, then started tingling and felt very odd. Sat down and sneezed about 40 times in a row. Face started to swell, eyes were sending out streams of tears, and blisters began to form on the inside of my mouth. I could not talk -- throat was closing. Very panicked, I croaked out to the pharmacist I was having trouble. Throught the fabric of my pants he injected an "epinephrine" pen dose, called 911 and (a first) ambulance ride to an ER. Had incidents of belng unable to take in air, or breath in or out, and was given more injections of epinephrine and I don't know what else. It was so scary. In the end I would say -- That pharmacist surely saved my life.

Very hot, chills, lightheaded, jittery, anxious, weak, high blood pressure. Have discontinued the drug for two days but still experiencing the side effects. Talked to the pharmacist and was told the drug should be out of my systems in 3 days. Can only hope there is no long lasting residual effect.

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?

EVERYONE who has suffered side effects from Levaquin or any of the drugs in that family, PLEASE submit a complaint to the FDA through Med Search. This website has the form which you can do online or print and mail.

I submitted mine 2 days ago, as advised by my pharmacist. I asked 2 of them about Levaquin and neither had heard of these problems, so we really need to publicize this.

We need to tell every doctor who has prescribed this and ask that they make a report as well Whether your doctor believes your problems came from the Levaquin or not, at least go and get your condition documented in a medical file. We may need this later to send to Med Search or the FDA.

My pharmacist said making these reports to Med Search is the way to get the warning labels updated. Hopefully this will also get the word out to all the doctors who prescribe this horrific drug that it is NOT to be used as a first line of treatment.

If everyone that has written on these websites makes a complaint and does so as soon as you can, we might be able to spare many others this unnecessary suffering.

On March 20th,I was given samples of lavaquin 750 mgs for a 10 day treatment of a severe bronchial condition. On the fifth day, I developed painful upper arm muscles-felt like I had lifted hundred pound weights and pulled muscles out of their normal places, and could not life my arms above my waist. The next day, I had severe swelling in my left knee and ankle, and could only climb the stairs with grea t difficulty. The pain in t he muscle tissues was incredibly sharp and buring. At the time, I did not associate the reaction to medication, but have since discussed this with my pharmacist who alerted me to this kind of side effect. I am concerned as to how long this severe pain and weakness in the muscles will persist.

I took levaquin for 4-5 days more than one year ago to treat a sinus infection. I began to have pain in my ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows after just 2 days on the antibiotic. To inquiry, my doctor told me the tendon pain was NOT a side effect of levaquin. By speaking to my pharmacist, I learned she was very wrong, and discontinued the drug. More than one year later, I am still in pain, and have difficulty walking.

When I began taking 750 mg. Levaquin every joint I had began aching; I was advised by my pharmacist to stop taking it. All the joints improved with the exception of my right knee. I have surgery scheduled for it in three days for the three torn menisci in it.
I had never had any problem with the knee; it was actually quite strong before taking the drug.

I had endoscopic sinus surgery 12/28 and was prescribed Levaquin. A couple days after taking it, I thought I might be getting a flu bug. My throat became sore, fatigue, restlessness, body ache as if I had a fever, but had none. Five nights later I read the potential side effects on the package insert and found five symptoms including drowsiness but unable to sleep well. I find all the similarities on my Google/Levaquin side effect search. I will give progress report in a few days now and I sure won't take another 500mg tablet. No pharmacist or doctor said anything about avoiding caffeine or minerals, advil (as I've found in online remarks)...had some caffeine & minerals today. Guess I better beef up my water consumption to flush out as best as possible!

I am so glad I found this site, and very thankful that I only took one pill!! I have never hurt so badly in my life. I suffer occasionally with migraines, but the headache I experienced after taking Levaquin made a migraine look like NOTHING! I also immediately lost the vision in my right eye and the feeling in my left arm. I also experienced chills and shaking.

I endured this horror all night and then called the pharmacist the next morning. She indicated that I was suffering from severe hypoglycemia - a side effect of Levaquin. All I know is that it has been three days since I took that 500 mg. pill, and I still feel drained. I remember wondering the day I had my Rx filled why the pharmacist kept asking me if my doctor had given me samples. Now I know why. This drug is absolutely terrifying!!

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????

Started Levanquin yesterday, wondered why I was having shooting pain in the backs of legs. Took second dose at noon today, pain in calf muscles got progressively intolerable. Severe chest pain has started, husband is trying to find pharmacist to give advice. Pain subsided and now is back. PLEASE, I BEG YOU, DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!

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.