Levaquin for Urinary Tract Infection User Reviews

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2023

"I was prescribed this drug for a UTI and took it for the first time at night around 9 p.m. What a mistake. I was in bed on my iPad when I felt my anxiety rising. A couple hours go by, and my anxiety is worsening, and all I want is to go to sleep, but I am now wide awake. I take 10 mg of melatonin. A couple more hours go by, and I am still wired, and anxiety has turned into a panic attack. It is now around 4 a.m., and I am still panicking and wired. My heart is racing, my foot was fidgeting, my skin feels weird, and I am also now hallucinating. I felt like my face was distorted, and I had to get up to go look in the mirror to see what it looked like because my face felt absolutely crazy. I felt like I was going insane and contemplated going to the ER. I was awake until 7 a.m., and I quit this drug. The worst reaction I’ve ever had. It’s now on my allergic list. I’d give it a 0 if I could."

• sch...
• February 22, 2013

"I was given Levaquin for a urinary tract infection after first trying Bactrim, which didn't work. I was really worried to use Levaquin because I read a lot of bad reviews for it. However, the only effect I had was that I felt speedy the first day I took it. Subsequent days, I did not have this problem, and I made sure to take it in the morning so it wouldn't affect my sleep. It cured my infection wonderfully, and I had no upset stomach or yeast infection after effects. Three months later, I got another urinary tract infection, and Levaquin again did the trick. I really like this antibiotic!"

• Sop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

"I was only taking 100 mg of Levaquin 2x a day, a very low dose, but since day 3 I started having tingling and weakness in my legs and dizziness. However, because I wasn’t warned about the black box warnings, I continued to take it until on day 6 I was taken into emergency because of loss of feeling in my legs and hands. Three months later, I continue having nerve damage. The side effects are permanent and debilitating."

• Lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2015

"I suffer from recurring UTIs. My doctor prescribed Levaquin. After a few days, my UTI symptoms went away. I suffer from bipolar disorder, so I can't make the direct link of the mood-related side effects to the Levaquin. The only side effects that I can link to the use of Levaquin are as follows: tiredness, exacerbation of sciatica, joint pain, feeling unsteady while walking, nausea, stomach pain, agitation, insomnia, minor depression, foggy-headed, and confusion. I did not suffer the four most common side effects. All of the symptoms I experienced were tolerable. The Levaquin worked on my UTI within 3 days, and I continued the medication as prescribed. While others have suffered from worse side effects, that was not my experience."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2014

"I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics (and always get side effects!) and get sick a lot. I used to take Z-Packs almost once a month, and now I wonder why I hadn't tried Levaquin sooner! This is my 3rd time on Levaquin this year. I took it twice for my chronic ear infection with success. The first time my joints felt like I was an arthritic old lady! The 2nd time I had only some ankle and finger pain. I'm on day 1 today for a urinary tract infection and ear infection from a water park. I can feel it working, and I have no joint pain."

• Reg...
• November 16, 2019

"2015, 2x/day for 10 days for first-ever UTI. Day 3, woke up very sore all over, got worse each day. Days 6 & 7, misery. Every single joint and tendon in my entire body felt like it had been put through a paper shredder. I couldn't even walk. It wasn't until that day that I read that it was black boxed (had never even heard of that before). I also read that if you experience any of these side effects, to stop taking it immediately. So I should've stopped on day 3 when I already felt hit by a truck. 0 warning from doctor or pharmacy. 6 months before I could lift my left arm due to the pain in my shoulder. 5 years later, and I still have severe joint pain in my knees, hips, and back. The worst is my hands, which ache so bad, which is devastating as an artist. I'm 35, yet I feel 90. This poison needs to be taken off the market, and doctors and pharmacists need to be more responsible if they do prescribe it, and at the very least, warn patients of the risks. I should've had the choice."

• Smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2019

"I was diagnosed on Tuesday, January 2, 2019, with a UTI. Never had anything like this before. I urinated on myself at least 4 times on my way to work. Two days before, I was urinating every 16 minutes for two nights in a row. Severe pain in my lower back and cramps in my left kidney and stomach. I thought I was gonna die. I couldn't really stand or sit. I took the train to the hospital, and I was embarrassed 'cause I soiled (wee) myself, but I didn't care. I needed to know what was wrong. After seeing the doctor, they prescribed me a 7-day (750 mg) pill called LEVOFLOXACIN. After taking a pill when I got home, I felt immediate relief in my back. I'm not at work for the next 7 days. I took my third tablet today. I do have constipation, and I had stomach pain yesterday, but I feel it's going to work. I'm still alive, worried because this has never happened to me. I'm 56, I'm healthy. I work out daily. I eat only fruits, veggies, fish, and chicken. I pray for healing. You all deserve to feel better."

• LFr...
• July 2, 2014

"I swear by Levaquin! It's what works for me. I spent so much money on Amoxicillin, Z-Pack, etc., and it doesn't help. I have used it for a sinus infection, UTI, and pulmonary illnesses. It's the medicine of choice for me. I have never experienced any side effects or adverse reactions. I'm very compliant with taking it daily, there have been times I missed doses because they're prescribed 3-4 times a day. It's fast-acting and does the trick, love it. I do think about becoming resistant to Levaquin down the road, but by that time, hopefully, there will be another medicine of choice that is equally as effective! Thanks."

• Sue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2016

"My mother is 84 and was given this drug for a mild UTI. After 2 doses, she became so confused she didn't know where she was or who I was. Her muscles were so weak she could not move or stand. She was paranoid and manic at times. Her potassium dropped very low. She was in the hospital for 4 days. They immediately took her off it, gave her IVs and potassium. They tested her for stroke and dementia, which were negative. She is home and better, but it took several weeks. Not a good drug, especially for the elderly. She now takes D-Mannose 1000 mg/day, 2000 mg for any UTI symptoms."

• Han...
• June 11, 2016

"This last Monday, I was detected by my doctor that I have an acute cystitis. My doctor prescribed me Lavoprolaxicin Levaquin for 6 days. My nightmare started on day 3 when I couldn't even get up from my bed. I was sore all over my body. I couldn't even walk. Only I took 4 pills, and I feel that my life changed to the worst for this medication. I went to the ER, and they gave me fluids to at least clean a little bit of my system. I got a CT scan of my kidneys, bladder, liver, and all results were normal. If doctors know those side effects, why are they still prescribing this medicine? It's poison! I'm still panicked! I have faith that everything will be normal again. Today is my day 1 without the medication. I'm walking better."

• Anonymous
• November 10, 2009

"I get urinary tract infections quite frequently, about 4 to 6 per year, and I am always prescribed Levaquin. By the third dose, I begin to feel better, but I start getting the bad side effects: stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. It also makes me very fatigued."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2019

"I'm allergic to penicillin. I'm disabled and had multiple UTIs. Levaquin saved my life. I’ve also been an RN for 44 years. If you need a drug like Levaquin, be sure to listen to your doctor and take it as prescribed with plenty of water and the probiotics. If you’re not advised about this, ASK QUESTIONS. Remember, your doctor actually works for YOU! Don’t just ask about this, ask about everything. Perhaps make a list before you see the doctor and even jot down notes while with the doctor and/or bring someone with you. How many times have you walked out of a doctor's office and thought, 'What did they say?' Many things can cause allergic reactions. Ask your doctor and perhaps keep Benadryl in your home. P.S.: The original clear capsules have been known to dissolve quicker and get into your system faster, especially when put under your tongue. This is in no manner meant to be medical advice. Always ask your doctor. Yours, in good health."

• Fin...
• January 23, 2011

"Took Cipro and Bactrim during chemo and radiation. Did not work, may have been because of the chemo and radiation, just not sure. I am now on my 3rd of 5-day Levaquin dose and passed my AZO UTI over-the-counter test this morning, yeah. Two months of a UTI is a bit much, although I now know what works for the future."

• Pis...
• March 27, 2009

"I react to every antibiotic out there. Levaquin is the only one I can take with no side effects. This is an excellent drug and gets rid of my urinary tract infections fast, with no yeast infection after it."

• Anonymous
• November 20, 2009

"I am a 27-year-old woman and was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg for 7 days (by my OB-GYN for a suspected UTI post-surgery-I had a D and C). I hardly ever have UTIs. My Levaquin, with insurance, was $55. I do not take pharmaceutical drugs regularly, but I figured since this was post-surgery, I should do as the doctor says. I read the drug pamphlet before taking the pill. On day 3 of taking Levaquin, I started muscle twitching in my right middle toe. I researched reviews of this drug on the internet and stopped immediately."

• Art...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

"Less than a year ago, I was a healthy, athletic person and had a full-time physical job. After 4 days on this medication, I began to suffer side effects and quit taking it. Now my life is ruined. I can't walk, I'm going blind and deaf, and I live in constant pain as if somebody took a sledgehammer and pounded my whole lower body, and my condition is worsening every day. The side effects of fluoroquinolone poisoning are a horrible way of slowly dying. By the way, it didn't do anything for my supposed UTI. A couple of days of drinking cranberry juice did the trick."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2013

"A few hours after the first dose, my arm muscles started burning like I just lifted a bunch of weights, and my neck was hurting on one side, but I think it was because I was so tense and worried about taking it. These symptoms lasted for about two or three more doses, then went away. Took my last pill today, and the only other side effects I had were headache and lightheadedness, and my heart would beat faster every now and then."

• kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2015

"Took one 250 mg tab of levofloxacin at 6 p.m. yesterday and am still experiencing side effects 18 hours later. My symptoms are reduced but are replaced with a 6 out of 10 on the pain scale-stomach ache. I have nausea, heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, and joint aches. I've called my doc back today to see about getting an alternative med. I will not take another dose of this medication."

• Hea...
• November 11, 2018

"I was prescribed 500 mg Levaquin to be taken for 7 days for a UTI I developed while on a cruise. I was given this drug because I’m allergic to PCN and cephalosporins. I read all the bad reviews, but the discomfort from my UTI made me desperate for relief. About 6 hours after taking this drug, I had severe pain in my lower legs. I contacted my physician at home and was told to discontinue the antibiotic immediately, that I was at serious risk of rupturing my Achilles tendon. I only took one pill. Unfortunately, I was on a European vacation that required a lot of walking. I am 27 years old and felt like I was 80, I could barely get around. Completely ruined my vacation. I was terrified I had permanently damaged my muscles or could injure myself and deal with a lifetime of pain. Luckily, the muscle pain went away after 4-5 days. It did take out my UTI, but I would NEVER take this again knowing the risks and side effects. There’s a reason it has a black box warning."

• Twy...
• September 21, 2017

"My infections have not been simple cases of uncomplicated UTI, they progressed rapidly into pyelonephritis. Levaquin should not be the 1st med prescribed for various uncomplicated infections (think 'resistance'), nor should providers refuse to prescribe it. I understand the FDA black box warning, I accept that risk. The problem is, we can literally 'google' any drug and find every possible side effect to convince ourselves that the medication is to blame. Yes, Levaquin can be riskier (elderly, drug interactions, etc.). I've fortunately only had diarrhea (most antibiotics cause this-google that) as a side effect. My doctor recommended taking probiotics along with an antibiotic, and it helps. Google that, too. Levaquin isn't evil."

• Smo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

"I was prescribed this for a 7-day course. 750 mg, never had a UTI in my life, so I didn't really know what to expect. Day 1 was iffy. An hour after taking it, I did get slightly dizzy, rather tired. But the next day, I felt fine. Day 2 is where I'm at, and as far as the UTI? Gone. However, it may just be sinuses, but anytime I cough, I get a dull throb in my right temporal lobe, sometimes sharp. And I've noticed the end of my tongue is kind of numb, like if you sipped too much hot coffee at once. 27, I smoke, and so far this is the only thing I'm experiencing. Sleep is a little difficult, even with OTC sleep meds, but overall, it seems to be manageable."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2018

"Taking Levaquin was absolutely horrible for me. I took 750 mg per day for ten days. I was prescribed it for a UTI and kidney infection, and my symptoms not only got three times worse, but I developed a pink rash on my face, and my bones and muscles felt horrible, like I was being stabbed with ice picks everywhere. I also had zero appetite and a hard time swallowing when forcing myself to eat. I think it's safe to say I'm having those side effects. Hopefully, you all have better luck with it!"

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2018

"I was scared to death prior to taking this medicine due to the reviews I read. I’ve been on this medicine for 5 days now, and I’ve been drinking plenty of water and taking probiotics along with the antibiotic. I haven’t been able to eat much due to having no appetite, and it gives me frequent headaches, but other than that, I haven’t had any other major issues."

• Anonymous
• June 15, 2009

"I was on a 3-day dose, and wouldn't have been able to stay on it any longer than that. My skin became red and dry. It felt like I had a full-body sunburn. It did its job as far as my infection, but now I always list this drug when asked for drug allergies."

• Mim...
• January 10, 2017

"I'm allergic to penicillin and, more recently, Keflex - a not uncommon occurrence in those with penicillin allergy. Prior to allergy, Keflex was slow to work and caused nausea whether taken mid-meal or on an empty stomach. I've used Levaquin for stubborn sinus infections and, more recently, my first UTI. The first time I took it, I experienced muscle soreness. With each subsequent prescription, the side effects have vanished, and its efficacy has not diminished. Of note for those who give up on it due to nausea and muscle aches: hydration helps reduce the symptoms. This medication is not for those with certain heart issues or on some medications for mental health diagnoses."