Levaquin and rash on

My name is Heather I am now 32 years old I took levaquin when i was 29. After i took levaquin I went on a roller coaster ride I have yet to be able to get off of. First when i took it I had the worst night mares i have ever had only to wake up to a splitting headache and a very sore body. took another one the next day same reaction.I figured it was the bronchitis that was causing the problem. on the third day i was worse still I could hardly move. I stopped taking the drug. after another two days i felt better. two weeks later I was out with my father and he noticed a rash on my legs. I was also starting to get little blood blisters. I started to become concerned and the next day after going to the zoo with my family i came home and my legs were swollen three times there normal size and very sore. I put them up just to find the felt like play dough had been stuffed in to them and I had blood blisters the size of pencil erasers. I made an appointment to see the doctor. he said and i Quote " Heather I have No idea what the Hell you have" he sent me to a specialist. between the time of my first appointment and the appointment with the specialist my legs stopped working from the hips down i was 90% paralyzed (not spelled right ) they just wouldn't work right. My ten year old daughter was helping me get to the bathroom. I was soooo sick i had a headache all the time couldn't eat or sleep and when i did it was only for a few hours I couldn't move very well and to get up out of bed hurt so bad i almost fell every morning. by the time i had gotten to the specialist I had gone to the E.R. three times for the pain.and the last time was because my toes stopped moving altogether. at the appointment the doctor ran all kinds of tests checking me for everything from S.T.D.s (which i have been happily married for years) to Lupus. I felt Like and 80 year old Lady And like i said i was only 29. after the extensive tests and everything coming back normal the doctor put me on a steriod. for 4 months i was told i had to take prednisone After the first dose i could move again I still hurt but i could move.But now i had the side effect from that. i was gaining weight like it was going out of style, but at least i could move. after the 4 months things seemed normal kinda. I could move but if i sit still to long my legs go numb not fall sleep go completely numb even if i am standing to long. I am still afraid that i will wake up again feeling like i did that Fall three years ago. I still have problems but im not sure they are tied in but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. I only took three Pills of Levaquin three years ago!!!! How long does this stuff hang on really??????

I was prescribed Levaquin 3 days ago for a sinus infection. After 3 doses, I feel worse than I did when I went into the doctor. After taking my first dose, I woke up with a terrible sore throat. Then came the excruciating shoulder pain. I can't even lift my arm up it hurts so bad. I'm extremely weak and get dizzy very easy. I am also experiencing chest and leg pain, sleeplessness, and irritability. I have broke out in a rash on the back of my arms. I've read the info that came with the medication at least 5 times through and kept telling myself that it couldn't be the medicine making me feel this way since it is supposed to make you feel better not worse. After reading this, I am not going to take the medicine anymore. I put a call into my doc to see if he will prescribe something new and I am considering going to the er to get some relief from the pain I am in.

Hi

I just ran upstairs to look at what Antibiotic I was on last and it's the same one. I got a rash on about day 7 and googled it and saw all the patients with lots and lots of complications. Actually I mentioned this to the doctor when I went back and she said lots of people react badly to it ...she could even take it. You think they should have to warn you of the serious side effects ...
I wonder why they are using this antibiotic all of a sudden as I have never heard of it before!!!
Interesting ....you should have this in your medical records in case you are in an accident.

There are on line sites that people post reactions to things that others can read....you should add yours....like I said SCARY!!!!

Jackie



-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Heather" ******
I just googled Levaquin and read this: Quinolones, including LEVAQUIN, may also cause central nervous system stimulation which may lead to tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts. That describes what happened to me.

UPDATE from Yesterday)))>>> well thanks to everyone i quit taking it yesterday BUT!!!---> today when i woke up i had a horrible head ache and it seemed to be coming from my left eye. i looked in the mirror and i have a really weird yellowish glazed tint in both my eyes and in my left eye a blood vessel has burst. i also noticed ive developed a skin rash on my right side of my stomach and on my left calf. My joints kept me up all night in constant pain which felt like someone was ripping apart my ligaments. I had a minor anxiety attack last night (Ive NEVER had anxiety before) and my body just feels weak, drained, and i keep getting really weird muscel spasms in my upper thigh. I tried to go out to the store earlier and as soon as i stepped into the sunlight a migraine hit me, and ive never been sensitive to light....Ive had a feeling of helplessness and worthlessness more in the past 24 hours than i have in a year. Im also experiencing horrible lower back pain and stomach pain around where my kidneys are.... I did have a small amount breast tenderness when i woke up and im not sure if that's another side effect...(no im not pregnant, had multiple urine tests in the last week)...I think ive only went potty maybe once today...and that was at like 9am...its now almost 9pm. Im pretty sure if this isn't over with or doesn't improve by 10pm im going to the hospital.....i cant drink water and im pretty sure im getting dehydrated....my skins turning pale, i have dark rings around my eyes.....etc.......has anyone else suffered with these things? Levaquin is by far the MOST painful, riskful, antibiotic ive been on...They should definitely take this sh*t off the market!!! =[[

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

I was prescribed 750 mg of Levaquin for a skin infection after a minor burn. On the third day I noticed flashing lights in my right eye and the next day I felt as though I was looking through a black lace curtain. It has now settled into a large thread like floater that is in my central vision. My eye doctor said it is a large vitreous tear which is permanent. I also had tinnitus and burning on my lips and tongue which stopped after I stopped the medication. Two weeks after stopping the meds, I was biking and lost my balance. I turned my ankle, not violently, but it resulted in ruptured tendons all around the ankle. Three days after that, my right shoulder began popping in and out of its socket. Each evening, I had a low grade fever and chills. I'd wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. I also had a rough eczema-like rash on my elbow and neck, however that has gone away. I'm sleeping better now and last night I did not have a fever or night sweats. My ankle is improving and I can now get through the day without having to take Advil. The shoulder is still popping when I extend my arm, but I'm hoping that will improve with time. So far, the only permanent damage seems to be the eye floater. It's annoying, but I'm adjusting. I'm planning to go back to the gym today, but honestly, I'm feeling like a ticking time bomb and I worry that new symptoms will continue to pop up. Has anyone out there been completely symptom free for any period of time? Has anyone discussed their case with an attorney?

I took Levaquin 500 mg for 6 days. After about 3 days my left ankle, knee, and the back side of my left thigh became so sore I had difficulty walking. I was extremely tired and slept later than I normally do, which is rare for me. This morning, in bed, my left thigh became so hot it felt like it was wrapped in a heating pad with the temperature turned up extremely high. Later, while getting a shower, I noticed the back of my left thigh had a "hivey" type of red rash on it. I did an internet search and found this page. I'm very concerned because in September 2007 I had a triple heart bypass. I threw the remainder of the Levaquin down the toilet. NEVER AGAIN....

I have now been on Levaquin 5oomg once a day for 6 days.This morning at work I noticed a red line on the inside of my left wrist which all of a sudden started to burn and itch.Few hours later I have developed and itchy rash on the inside of my both wrists.On the day 5 I was tired so went to bed early bad for the life of me could not fall a sleep.

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

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

I 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!

Terrible, terrible rash on both legs. The itch is unbearable! That crazy doctor prescribed this for supposedly prostate infection - which did not have any symptoms! I never felt this bad in my life. He made me take it for one month and then discontinued.

Joint pains, sleeping forever, drowsiness. I agree this drug should never be prescribed. Were it not for my wife, I would never have known that this drug is the culprit. She researched the drug in the internet because of the severity of the red, blistering rash that covered both my legs - front, side and back!

It has been a year ago since I had my reaction to Levaquin. On Feb. 11, 2005; I suffered an anaphexia reaction and had to be put on the vent for 3 days. I remained in CCU for 6 of the 7 days I was in the hospital. I took Levaquin about 5pm that evening and all of a sudden I became very tired. I went to lay down and 20 minutes later I woke with my ears on fire. I went to the bathroom and looked at my ears and they were both bright red with a rash on both of them. Then these red marks began to go down my neck, down my arms and it was covering my whole body. I went immediately to the emergency room. The triage nurse asked me some questions and my lips began to turn blue and my tongue was swelling even bigger. The nurse put me back in the Urgent care where I was left. I was not put on any monitors or seen by any doctor. Then within 5 minutes a nurse showed up, didn't check my arm band to see if it was me and gave me a shot of ephirenephrine in my stomach and walked away. As she turned the corner, I was laying down on my back telling my daughter to go get a "real" doctor, something was wrong. The next thing I knew, I was being surrounded by a bunch of people and being told they were about to put me out and put me on the vent. I just wanted to go away. I did. I lost 3 days of my life. Now, it has been over a year since this happened. I am extremely hypersensitive. Now I am experiencing allergic reactions to everything I eat. It starts with the very tip of my tongue going numb and tingling. Then it goes to the middle of my tongue, which makes my tongue thick, then it goes to my Uvala and down my throat. My hands get real red and I become very thrusty. But it hasn't bothered my breathing at all. Does anyone out there have these same symptoms? If so, what is it called? and do you know how to get rid of it? Thanks.

To guest 22404....I asked my DR. several times if it was okay to take the prednisone with the levaquin.....he told me....that is was absolutely ok. Now I am just angry after reading information about these two drugs combined.
Thank you for the information....wish I had known before I took the two together. I am just hoping that the medications did not do permanent damage. The only problems I am having at this time is the rash on my face and neck and the breast soreness. :(
I hope that it soon goes away.
Thank you for your response and for the very informative information.

Levaquin works very well for my sinus infections. However, this time I developed a light, very itchy rash on various areas of my body. It has really been driving me nuts and I have taken an antihistimine to help counteract this.

My 22 year old daughter had reconstructive ankle surgery on March 2. Her doctor prescribed 500 mg of Levaquin once daily for 5 days as a preventitive for pneumonia. She has to spend 3 months down with her leg elevated and the chances of pneumonia are great. On March 4th she woke up with a small rash on her right inner thigh. On March 5th, she woke up with a fever and discovered that the rash had spread to both thighs, has completely covered her buttocks and has covered her entire back. I just got off the phone with the doctors office and they have advised taking her off Levaquin. It was obvious to me that it was an adverse reaction to this drug so I had already discontinued giving it to her. She claims none of the other side effects that others appear to be having on this site, but I thought I should add that a very itchy, painful, severe body rash is another side effect to this drug.

I started taking Levaquin last night. I could not sleep and have severe stomach cramps, diarhea, blurred vision, broke out in a rash on my chest, severe headaches, muscle ache. I took my second pill tonight and am having all the same symtoms all over. I will not take this drug ever again.

i was taken to emergency room and major probelem was a sever uti infection, was given 10 day dose of levaquin of 500mg. First day i took in am with full cup of water during day had upset stomach and then by nite started to feel maybe a yeast infection. 4 day have a sever rash on my private parts my urine is green with at times i see blood.
I also am in treatment for anemia called scullies anemia , also a sever yeast infection why would i be given an antobodic which has only made my private parts filled with rash to the point where i shpwer daily and can barely walk with its progress am wondering if they saw yeats infection why give again something to make worst. The worst part for me on a fixed income is the 110.00 price for 10 tablets and now i see with others comments i may also not be able to finsh taking.

I took only 1 dose of Levaquin, 500mg, at 7pm. Within 3 hrs I noticed tingling in my arms and hands and increased urination. Was wide awake all night, developed rash on abdomin, very red neck and face, ringing in my ears, dry mouth, back and neck pain, clenching of jaw and unable to relax it, and a disjointed/out of body feeling. I called my Dr. the next morning and quit taking the Levaquin. Day 2 and still having insomnia, twitching of muscles at corner of mouth, itchiness on palms and soles of feet, anxiety, abdominal pain and joint pain.

I was 500 mg Levaquin daily for 7 days started June 12, 2003, skipped the 19th and took my last dose 20th for sinus infection. I quickly developed an irregular heart beat and chest pains. I am already am on medication for these symptoms so I continued to take the Levaquin. Toward the end of my 7days I had wild dreams at nite, moderate to extreme joint and muscle pains, neck pains, stomach pains, a rash on both my arms up to my clothing line that is still getting worse at this writing July 12th, 2003. I have dizziness, incoordnation, and my mouth clamped so hard shut one nite that it woke me up and and I chipped a tooth!
I am so exhausted that I can barely get around! It has effected everything I am doing!
I returnrd from the doctor yesterday and he agrees is severe allergic reaction to the medication. It feels more like toxicity to me. This stuff needs to be taken off the market!

Was being treated with daily 500 mg of Levaquin for bad sinusitis by ENT Dr. Metallic taste started day 2; but was helping infection. After day 5 I noticed a rash on my body and severe aching of my joints and muscles. Stopped taking medication. Now, 48+ hours after stopping, the joints in my hands are so tight and achy I can't sleep! I have pains in my neck and knees. Muscles are tight all over. How long does it take for this med. to wear off and does any body have any treatment ideas? It's now 1:45am ET... and I can't sleep. I have 2 young children at home and it's summertime and I'm dead on my feet! HELP!

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

I was given Levaquin 500 mg a few days ago to treat 2 conditions: a sinus infection and an infection in my foot. Within a day, I had a horrible rash on my arms and legs, and I felt terrible. Unfortunately, I had taken the 2nd dose, so a total of 1000 mg. I was also developing stiffness in my joints. I had taken Levaquin several times before, prescribed by an ENT, for stubborn sinus problems, and didn't seem to react to the drug. But this time I certainly did. I was taken off Levaquin and put on another antibiotic. But the side effects have been awful. The rash is pretty much gone, tho I still have some prickly skin sensations. The joint stiffness in my hips is much better, but my fingers, wrists and forearms are still sore and stiff. I was told Levaquin has a 3 day half life, so I am at about day 5. I am just hoping all these symptoms subside, but I am not expecting it to be a quick deal. I think Levaquin is extremely toxic. I am a 56 year old active healthy woman with an 11 year old daughter still being raised. I am grateful my side effects weren't any worse. I am going to register a complaint with the FDA and I wish there were a class action suit against the manufacturer's of this awful drug.

My father has taken Levaquin in the past and had problems with a rash on his "private parts". Got sick again - Levaquin prescribed. In just a day, weakness, loss of appetite, general ill feeling, nausea, and soreness, he says everwhere. Now after taking Levaquin for 4 days, rash is back. Dr prescribed Cipro. Thank you for this web page.
I'll have him stop taking Cipro immediately. The sad thing is, he told the Dr he was allergic to Levaquin and the hospital gave to him anyway. Drs all said the Levaquin could not have caused the rash he experienced. Anyone else with similar rash?

Glad I found this forum. Yesterday my doctor started me on Levaquin 500mg x10 for a mild case of epididmytis. I've taken two doses thusfar, but have decided to discontinue the medication after researching quinolones online. Also, I developed a small rash on my stomach last night, and a minor rash on my left flank today. Add to this the jittery/dizzy feelings and anxiety I'm feeling, and I think that's reason enough to d/c. My doctor should be calling in a new prescription today, from another class of antibiotics.

I fully recognize that my anxiety is most likely not from the medication-- rather, it's likely from KNOWING that all these potential side effects exist. However, I believe that the symptoms described by the userids of this forum are real, especially since there is so much negative press about this class of drugs. I'm starting medical school next year, and I assure you all that when I finally become a physician, I'll strongly encourage proactive patients. Why trust exclusively what the drug companies/literature says about a medication when there are multiple patients telling you about their bad side effects? Patients know how they feel, not some report.

As an aside, I think I'll start looking into when my girlfriend took levaquin. She's only 22 years old, but has suffered severe lower back pain for a couple years now (sometimes so bad she couldn't walk). I know she took levaquin at some time in the past-- I can remember looking at the pills. She deals with the pain through natural anti-inflammatories (flax oil, etc.), but she has gone through a lot of physicians while trying to find the cause. She's had x-rays, MRI's, physical therapy, steroid injections, and has met with multiple neurologists and orthopods. So far, no cause has been found. She was a perfectly health college athlete (equestrian) when her back pain struck out of the blue one day. I still remember, she was crying, and couldn't walk the two blocks to her class.

By no means have I suddenly concluded that her pain was caused by levaquin; rather, I relate this story to see if anyone else has experienced lasting low-back pain. I'll keep looking into that possibility, but in the meantime, I'l continue feeling relieved that I'm stopping a potentially dangerous medication. Good luck to all of you in dealing with your afflictions.

Nick

After being prescribed 2 rounds of Levaquin,after a shot of Rocephin, for Bronchitis turning into Pneumonia, I have experienced side effects. Restlessness, bad dreams, Fatigue,
and now have a red itchy rash on my body, which is so annoying, it is almost unbearable.I am so glad that I looked for the side effect of this Medication. I have had headaches also. As a matter of fact, I am absolutely miserable. Never want to take this Medication again.