Levaquin and Anxiety: What Users Say

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• isl...
• January 20, 2008

For Bronchitis "I don't like Levaquin at all. The doctor prescribed this to me after going in for acute sinusitis and bronchitis. He said it was a strong medication. The first night, I woke up suddenly with a massive headache, and then heartburn. The next day, I noticed more problems which made me feel even worse than my original ailments. I had cold sweats, felt nervous, anxious, and like I was losing my mind! I couldn't sleep."

• isl...
• January 20, 2008

For Bronchitis "I don't like Levaquin at all. The doctor prescribed this to me after going in for acute sinusitis and bronchitis. He said it was a strong medication. The first night, I woke up suddenly with a massive headache, and then heartburn. The next day, I noticed more problems which made me feel even worse than my original ailments. I had cold sweats, felt nervous, anxious, and like I was losing my mind! I couldn't sleep."

• Pet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I took 1 pill of 500 mg Levaquin for an epididymitis. About 2 hours later, I was experiencing a lot of side effects, such as anxiety, fast heart rate, heart palpitations, muscle spasms, dizziness, and insomnia. The next few days, I experienced major tendon pain and muscle spasms/pain that I have never had before. Instead of Levaquin, I was prescribed Bactrim. Hopefully, this antibiotic does the trick without destroying my body in the process. It’s honestly a shot in the dark with all of the antibiotics on the market, which is truly a disappointment and shame. You never know whether the side effects from the antibiotic might be worse than the actual disease/infection it’s intended to treat. Just shows how messed up America’s healthcare system really is. I hope you all never have to take an antibiotic again! I know there will be way better treatments within the next 10 years."

• Lan...
• April 11, 2015

For Prostatitis "I have just started Levofloxacin for prostatitis that I've been battling for 4 months. I've tried Doxy and Cipro with no luck. I'm day two into Levofloxacin, and I'm experiencing pretty bad anxiety. Has anybody else experienced anxiety on this medication? Should I stop taking it or try to push through it? Thank you."

• Gra...
• June 23, 2018

For Pneumonia "Have been on 500 mg Levaquin for nine days of a 10-day dosage after being diagnosed with left lower lobe pneumonia. It came with three warnings: prolonged sunlight avoidance, no taking of med within 2 hrs of taking antacid, and DRINK PLENTY OF WATER WHILE TAKING THIS MED. Was also told by Dr. to take a probiotic with med to prevent constipation. I complied with all, especially the water, drank about 64 oz + daily. I only had one side effect and it was on the first day, a little jittery, but it subsided after one day. I have an appointment with the doctor in five days, feel SOOOO much better. Hoping the x-ray will show clear of pneumonia."

• par...
• March 27, 2008

For Bladder Infection "Within 24 hours of beginning the medication, my urinary tract pain was noticeably better. I had lots of anxiousness and trouble sleeping, though. This could be because I took the medication about 1 hour before dinner every night. Thanks for the helpful site."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Do NOT take this Levaquin if you suffer from any mental illness. I’m taking Levaquin and Bactrim, and I had extreme side effects... psychosis, paranoia, nervousness, and delirium. I’m hallucinating, this is crazy. In the event that you experience these side effects, call your doctor immediately. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED IF YOU HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS!!!"

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2011

For Sinusitis "So far, so good for my sinusitis. A little anxious, feel my heart beating a little faster, and will wake up a few times a night, but I feel it's worth it to get rid of this sinus issue I've had for the last 3 weeks."

• Anonymous
• July 5, 2008

For Kidney Infections "The infection was eased almost immediately, however, by mid-treatment, I was very jittery and broke out with a hot, hive-like rash that was so miserable that no lotion would relieve, but it was the lesser of two evils to get over the kidney infection. I had to skip the last dose in order to function at work mentally, and my body is still very sore. Could tolerate absolutely no sun!"

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2008

For Middle Ear Infections "This was given to me for a killer middle ear infection... have a terrible time sleeping, anxious, and my knees hurt like I'm 100 years old (I'm 35!). Thank God, only 4 days left! But definitely helped with the ear infection."

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

For Pneumonia "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 knew I needed it to clear up my infection. From the 2nd day on, my coughing and phlegm are 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 Prednisone 10 mg 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."

• JLW...
• February 17, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken this medication twice for a UTI. The first time I had no side effects, and it got rid of the UTI, as well as a very mild sinus infection I didn't realize I had. The second time I went on it, I only took one dose. About a half hour after taking the dose, I was really jittery and hyper and hadn't consumed any caffeine, but I didn't really think much of it. The restlessness got worse, and at around 8, I started having olfactory hallucinations. I also started thinking my husband was plotting against me, and I had insomnia. It was a miserable night. At around 1 in the morning, it started to wear off, and I realized I was having some sort of psychiatric side effect and then read that was a possible side effect. I stopped taking it, and it completely wore off within a couple of days. I called and left a message for the doctor and also sent a detailed email to her, and she never followed up with me... oh well."

• Cac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

For Bronchitis "I took this antibiotic for a bronchial infection. I did get rid of the infection. But while on it, I had horrible nightmares (the gory kind you can't talk about); was jittery, moody, and the tendonitis in my shoulder came back. I also have MS with mild symptoms. The problem is, now that I'm off of it, I feel 'fluish', my neck hurts, my shoulder hurts, I've had horrible spasms in my legs and feet and not the kind that you get with MS. I was prescribed this because I cannot take any of the 'clindamycin' or erythromycin of a Z-Pak. I have no idea when this is going to end. I would not recommend this to anyone. And don't get me started with the back pain."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2020

For Bronchitis "10 years ago. No history of anxiety problems before. However, after 2 days of Levaquin, I was rushed by ambulance to the ER because I was having a huge anxiety episode. I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin and just run and run! The ER doctor said Levaquin was too harsh a drug for my bronchitis symptoms and to never take Levaquin again! It was considered an accidental overdose! 10 years later, I still have occasional anxiety episodes, which I now take meds for! Worst med!"

• jan...
• October 11, 2009

For Sinusitis "Seemed to clear up sinus infection, but side effects were scary. Had anxiety and felt very cold. Then the shaking started, mainly leg muscles. Was resolved after about an hour by taking Ativan. Blood pressure was very high the next few days - can't say for sure if that was related. Also had nosebleeds."

• Myk...
• October 23, 2020

For Chlamydia Infection "This stuff sucks. First night couldn’t get any sleep and had serious anxiety. Next day, same anxiety and depression. Now my knee is starting to hurt, worries about tendonitis. Don’t take this unless you absolutely have to! Honestly, re-test for chlamydia before you take this stuff."

• Koo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2017

For Kidney Infections "I was prescribed this for a kidney infection. I took one dose. With that dose, I felt so sick to my stomach, had horrible anxiety, my face felt hot, and I felt sweaty. My calves of my legs also felt sore. I stopped after that first dose because I felt so awful and read some pretty scary side effects! I went to a different doctor, and he put me on doxy, which is much safer."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2012

For Bladder Infection "Lots of trouble sleeping and lots of anxiety with this medicine. It also makes me a bit depressed. Better if you can take it in the morning instead of later at night. Works, but there is probably something with less side effects that works just as well. Usually given this for sinus infections, this is the first time for cystitis."

• mas...
• August 28, 2009

For Middle Ear Infections "I just finished a 10-day dose for a severe ear infection. After the second dose, I began to experience extreme anxiety attacks, sleepless nights, total confusion, and thought I was losing my mind. I have had Xanax prescribed to relieve the anxiety attacks, and I am hopeful that the attacks will stop now that I'm done with the Levaquin."

• Jav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2024

For Prostatitis "Been taking Levaquin for about 33 days, and to be honest, I have had different side effects, from anxiety to joint pain to dizziness to feeling lethargic to muscle/tendon discomfort. My prostatitis has gotten better, from 16.6 to 7.8, from the start of the antibiotics to about 2 weeks. So I will see if, after I take the full course, it dropped my PSA level within normal range."

• Gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2016

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "The short list of damage that fluoroquinolones (FQs) did to me includes blood clots, broken blood vessels, bloated failing veins carved from 13 entry points, erratic blood pressure, hemochromatosis, liver damage, kidney damage, pulmonary edema, collapsed lung, hernia, torn lumbar muscle, half a dozen bulging discs when I had none a few years before, peripheral neuropathy, shrinking eyeballs, tinnitus, multi-chemical sensitivity, gastrointestinal distress, hair loss, crumbling teeth, nosebleeds, nails falling off, spontaneous tendon ruptures, cartilage transplant, ligament damage, cognitive impairment, and horrific mental anguish, psychosis, anxiety attacks, and hundreds of other bizarre health issues. Many surgeries, more to come until I die early."

• Nre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2016

For Pneumonia "Sure, it got rid of the pneumonia. But at what cost? Bad anxiety, terrible pain in knees and ankles. I was given Xanax to deal with the side effects of the Levaquin. Never taking this again."

• Jac...
• August 8, 2016

For Pneumonia "Stay away from this medicine!!! It's horrible!!! It caused me to develop depersonalization/depression. It also made me feel anxious and confused. I really haven't been the same since I took it."

• Jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2023

For Urinary Tract Infection "Three days into the prescription, I had a horrible episode of anxiety... had to take a sleeping pill just to be unconscious... Next day had a similar experience, so I quit taking it... never again."