Levofloxacin for Pneumonia User Reviews (Page 3)

• Rnchr...
• November 23, 2017

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I had pneumonia & had been sick for 2 weeks. The Dr. had prescribed another antibiotic & steroids first. When I wasn't better, the Dr. prescribed Levaquin. The first day was ok, just really tired. The second day I started having joint pain & my ribs were really hurting (not from coughing)& still really exhausted. By the third day I could barely walk because of my knees being so swollen & painful & hard to breathe because of the rib pain. Called the Dr. & he said to get off of it & come in for blood tests. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks & still can barely walk & the ribs are still really sore. After reading the rest of the stories, it makes me very angry that this drug and it's family is still out there to harm people. RIDICULOUS!"

• Melroe
• January 12, 2013

"I am on day 4 of 5 of medication after a diagnosis on pneumonia. I have been sick for about three weeks, originally seen for a sinus infection which has since spread to my lungs. My cough and breathing issues are subsiding more and more with each day. No adverse side effects as long as medication is taken in the morning with food. The first day, I took in afternoon and had some difficulty sleeping but have not experienced this problem since. I am still quite fatigued but am assuming that is common with pneumonia. I am feeling so much better and cannot wait to be back to normal!"

• Charley
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2018

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I was given a 5 day course of 750mg tablets. While it was effective in treating the pneumonia, I did experience several of the side effects that others here have documented : nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, lower back pain . Hopefully now that I have completed the course these effects will subside."

• Julie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2015

"I was prescribed the drug Levofloaxcin after being diagnosed with pneumonia a month ago. I was misdiagnosed twice before (for the flu, then sinus infection). I had a fever, cough and extreme fatigue. WORD TO THE WISE: if you have an ongoing cough, fatigue and low grade fever at night THOSE ARE TEXTBOOK SYMPTOMS OF pneumonia. Just demand a chest X-Ray right away! Now onto Levofloaxcin. I took 750mgs for 7 days and it definitely did the job, I felt better in two days. The side effects *were intense* (nervousness, joint pain, increased heart rate, light headedness, insomnia). BUT it was worth it!"

• Levaq...
• November 19, 2017

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I was diagnosed with pneumonia and was given levaquin 750 mg for 10 days. I'm on day 6 and everyday I get fever, shivers and chills not to mention the extremely bad headaches!!I'm going to let levaquin go !! I am going to throw the rest of the pills. I have no idea how do they prescribe it!"

• Winds...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2022

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "500mg prescription, I took a 1/2 a pill because I was cautious... Within 10 minutes, I started to become irritable, hot and started taking off my clothes because I felt hot on my hands and feet (tops & bottoms), I felt like the heat was coming in waves, crawling over me. I looked at myself and I looked sunburned, my throat started to tighten within another 5 minutes. My husband drove me to the ER, I had the window down and my head tilted up to try to breath better. I sounded like a child with awful croup. My body was shaking and the intake nurse didn't believe I was having an allergic reaction... She told me to calm down because I was "hyperventilating".... The Dr comes in, takes one look at me... Benedryl, IV and epinephrine & oxygen. Intake nurse says on the way out "I guess you were having a reaction"...."

• Delec...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2018

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I'm on my 5th and final day of the Levofloxacin 750. I've never had anxiety issues or insomnia in my life, but from the moment I started it began. What kept me going with this was I know I needed it to clear up my infection, from the 2nd day on my coughing and phlegm is at a bare minimum. So while it's working it's dealing with being amped up so to speak. The doc also has me on Prenisone 10mg x2 a day which just increases the feelings that I've dealt with. But for those of you out there I tried Benadryl 1 tab at night since the 3rd night and I was actually able to sleep these last couple of nights a little."

• TPera
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2017

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "Levaquin and its generic are Fluoroqunilone antibiotics. The FDA has issued a Black Box Warning -- the most severe warning it can issue -- on all Fluoroquinolone antibiotics because they cause so many horrible, longterm side effects (like permanent tendonitis, vision problems, and more). Fluoroqunilones break down the mitochondria of cells, leading to cell death. This damage cannot be reversed."

• Brovie
• December 26, 2014

"Initially self-diagnosed myself (I like to avoid doctors as much as possible) and determined that I had bronchitis. Started taking Mucinex twice a day and Tylenol every four hours for three days. When cough didn't improve dragged myself to the doctor and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Prescribed 250 mg Levofloxacin; by Day Two I was able to start breathing again without it being laborious to do so. Now on Day Five and feeling MUCH better. Only warning: eat BEFORE you take this medication (unless you're looking to lose weight) and drink a lot of water!"

• Joyce...
• November 22, 2017

"I was put on levofloxacin 750mg once a day for 5 days for pneumonia. I was put on Z pack at first but by day 4 I felt the same, I was then switched to Augmentin and after 10 days of that , still the same with a little bit of symptoms changed . I was then but on Levofloxacin. I read all the reviews and worked myself up being scared to take it. I promised myself I would write a review afterwards. I didn’t have any of the mentioned side effects. I know everyone is different. As far as body aches , I have bursitis in my shoulder anyways so that hurt a bit more but not unbearable. I would have to say that if your prescribed it, don’t get yourself worked up when reading the reviews. I finished yesterday and I feel better. It helped me."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2016

"Very great drug, got me out of pneumonia in 5 days, but still took it as prescribed 10 days. Once a day by 500mg. I did not experience any side effects. From the beginning after reading all the side effects I felt I have them all but that was only in my head. So unless you really have side effects you should talk to your doctor."

• Bunny
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2018

"I was diagnosed with lower left lobe pneumonia on 5/3/18 which was complication of influenza since 4/26/18. This antibiotic I rate as my cure all with no side effects. I got 750 mg for 7 days. I began feeling better almost the next day from feeling deathly ill. Lung is now clear only some residual chest pain & lingering cough."

• Ds1955
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

"I was prescribed by my doc to take Levofloxacin 750mg for 7 days, I got through 5 day's and I can't take anymore. It started almost after the first dose of insomnia and feeling amped up in my head & body. Another problem is the brain fog that I seem to be having, seems like my vision is acting up. I warn everybody out there stop taking this med if you experience any abnormal system while using this drug. While it may be great for some and I go for cat scan Thursday , today is Tuesday, Mardi Gras day here in New Orleans. I hope these side effects clear up soon because I drive for a living and do maintenance work and I don't think I can function the way I feel now. "DO NOT USE THIS MEDICATION IT IS TOXIC AT HIGH DOSES @ 750mg." I just hope my symptoms clear up so I can go back to work."

• Still...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

"I took a 7-day 500 mg levofloxacin prescription of this drug for pneumonia and had no real issues with it the first time around. It knocked out the infection pretty quickly. I then had to do a follow-up 5-day dose, which in retrospect I didn't really need because my chest x-ray ended up being good. I had a lot of the symptoms the second time others have had: racing heartbeat, nervousness, anxiety, joint pain in wrist and up near elbow, Achilles heel pain and some pain around knee, leg twitching, low appetite. It's been about five weeks since I finished the antibiotics, and I'm still having symptoms. Take another antibiotic first if you can. It sucks to recover from pneumonia only to find you have weeks more of recovery to do from the effects of treatment."

• Cathy
• May 3, 2021

"19 days of Levofloxacin after being hospitalized for 3 days. Having trouble walking I assume because of the Levofloxacin. 26 days later the CT scan showed I still had pneumonia. I Requested a prescription of Augmentin. With the Augmentin I started feeling better in 3-4 days. These drugs mess up your whole system do not take without a very good Prebiotic and probiotic. Makes a huge, huge differences on my stomach. The stomach pain without the prebiotic and probiotic’s is hard for me and last several months after taking these drugs. Not sure why the doctors do not give you some pre and probiotic when taking these drugs. They do know it causes this problem. A good doctor will bring that to your attention."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I had been on another antibiotic for 3 weeks. When I went in for a recheck, I still had pneumonia, so was put on Levaquin for 5 days. The first day I took it in the morning & it made me light headed, so I decided to take it @ night. It would cause me to wake up throughout the night. I would also have a burning sensation in my chest & get hot. I went back in for a checkup & the x-ray showed that some parts had improved, but some parts were worse. I was referred to a pulmonologist. I feel like it was too strong for my body."

• BRano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2020

"I took Levofloxacin with prednisone, I had 10 days on the Levo. and 5 days on the Prednisone. Heed the warnings for tendon damage after the 3rd day I could feel the tightness in both Achilles tendons. So I walked around like a duck for the rest of the week and an additional week because my tendons still felt sore. I knelt down to wipe something off the floor and didn't take care as to the way I got up and pushed off (although gently) with the ball of my right foot and wham the pain was immense. Went to the Dr's. had 3 xrays and finally an MRI done on my ankle. Tendon was torn 70% so now I am wearing a boot for the next 3 months. No it did not get rid of the Pneumonia. Took Cefdinir for an additional 10 days. Got a CT scan and still have Pneumonia. Now I'm back on Cefdinir for 21 days with probiotics. We will see!!"

• bluedog
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2018

"This medication cleared my lungs of infection but the side effects, which I never seem to get from other medications, are still affecting me more than a month after taking it. My side effects include: (1) a headache that never goes away (2) severe ringing in my ears (3) blurred vision Going for a CAT scan now since all other tests have turned out normal as will probably the scan. Just hoping these side effects eventually go away."

• holme...
• October 21, 2016

"I was sick for several weeks. I assumed it was sinusitis again. I became more tired and feeling progressively worse. We had our annual physicals scheduled which was fortunate. I had pneumonia. I was given 7 days/750 Levaquan. The drug is very effective in clearing the infection. The easiest way to avoid sleepliness or disrupted sleep is to take in A.M. Given the efficacy of the drug, and the ability to minimize any annoying side effects, it is a good choice. While side effects are troublesome for some the results of untreated pneumonia can be far worse."

• Teach...
• December 19, 2017

Levaquin (levofloxacin) "I have had pneumonia seven times the past ten years due to asthma and being a teacher, and the only medicine that has helped it has been levaquin. Never had any tendon issues or soreness although I have heard of the risk. At this point, I'd rather take tendon issues than be in a hospital fighting pneumonia with whatever meds and high hospital bills. I attribute a better reaction to it, however, to being fit and eating clean. You can't blame a reaction solely on a particular medication. There are so many other variables."

• Cathe...
• March 13, 2017

"It helped exactly after first pill... I think that it treated my pneumonia very well even though I was abroad. I think that every antibiotics have side effects, but results it is definitely worth it :)"

• Nea
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 16, 2020

"Do not take this drug levofloxacin!!!!!!! "Horrible" I will never take this drug again. I'm calling my doctor first thing in the morning. I was taking this for pneumonia. I feel weak I can't even attend to my kids needs. I can't wait for this drug to be out my system."

• Erin...
• December 3, 2015

"Caught a cold which gradually started affecting my chest and lungs. I typically avoid the doctors but after a few weeks of severe coughing and wheezing, I went to the doctor and was initially prescribed a z pak. This antibiotic did nothing for me. After finishing that round of antibiotics, I dropped by urgent care and the doctor prescribed me 10 days of 500mg Levofloxacin. I experienced zero side effects except for insomnia and feeling a little warmer than usual at night the first night. Highly recommend taking this antibiotic either with breakfast or lunch, not dinner. I just finished my 10 day dose and although I still have a slight cough and post nasal drip still, my wheezing is completely gone and I'm feeling like I'm getting better."

• summer
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

"I had a bad sinus infection which led to “early symptoms of pneumonia” as shown on the X-ray. My pcp prescribed levofloxacin 500mg - 5 day course. During the duration of taking the medicine, I had no side effects and my infection cleared up. But 3 days after finishing the prescription, I started experiencing severe pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest). My chest felt like it was burning, and I had sharp pinching pain on my chest and throat. I’ve heard of being “floxed” and I feel like this was it. A week and a half later and I’m still suffering from these side effects. I’ve seen my pcp and urgent care for treatment. Urgent care doctor said this was a “common” side effect of taking strong antibiotics but it should not do this much damage! I was prescribed steroids to help with the inflammation but it still hasn’t gone away. DO NOT TAKE THIS."

• Pats...
• February 10, 2016

"After blood work, X-rays & a CT scan, it was official that I have pneumonia. I was prescribed 10 days of Levaquin. I am on Day 3 and just started feeling a little bit of relief. I think this is a great antibiotic to fight off pneumonia, however, my only complaints are dizziness and insomnia. I hope I feel more improvement."