Levaquin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2012

For Pneumonia "This antibiotic is really helping. I had horrible chest pain, mucus, hard time breathing, fever, etc. I was diagnosed with pneumonia and sinusitis. I was given a 10-day course of 500 mg of Levaquin. I am on day 7 and only a few side effects. Minor dizziness, headaches, MAJOR fatigue, and feeling of being in a fog. Overall tolerable but I cannot wait to be done! I feel pretty much back to normal with only a tickling cough left. Also, I should note that I sleep VERY well and my appetite has not been affected. I am pleased considering how sick I was and the fact that other antibiotics made me feel horrible in the past."

• Anonymous
• April 15, 2009

For Pneumonia "I've been given this medicine twice - once for serious bronchitis/pneumonia that nearly required hospitalization. Since I am a well-trained athlete, hospitalization for a lung infection was serious. Doctors tried several other drugs before Levaquin, but Levaquin was the best. Now dealing with a relatively minor bronchitis and have it again. I've never had any of the side effects others listed - bear in mind that weakness, headaches, and many other symptoms might just be the progression of the disease and not due to the drug. It's hard to tell since each bout is different but compared to many other drugs, this is statistically a very good bet. If you have bronchitis or a respiratory infection, take your medicines with lots of fluids."

• 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."

• kat...
• April 2, 2010

For Streptococcal Infection "Not allergic to anything. On Day 15 round of antibiotics in February, so needed something stronger to wipe out this diphtheria and strep throat. Could barely swallow yesterday. Took a pill yesterday, went to bed, woke up with a headache that was manageable, along with some dizziness that is getting better. A little bit of pain in joints and some very soft stool this morning, but I was thankful for that. I already can swallow today without much pain and feel about 20% better, so it must be working at a fast rate. I am thankful. Only taking it for 7 days, 500 mg."

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2019

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed 500 mg for 5 days for bronchitis, I also suffer from COPD. I couldn't sleep a bit, breathing got a lot worse, headache, palpitations, tendons hurt so bad I couldn't hardly move. I have been off of them for 6 days now, I'm worse than I was. I will never take these again, they are horrible."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2013

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Bac...
• November 21, 2010

For Bacterial Infection "Levaquin knocked my bacterial or sinus infection out in 20 days. I was having headaches every morning for months and not sleeping well. This really stopped my infection. I could tell that the infection was busting up because my headaches stopped and my sleep improved significantly. The headaches were like something squeezing on my brain that would not allow me to think well most of the day. I was not sleeping well at night and tired most of the day. This made all the difference and has put me back to normal. There is a tremendous difference in my daily work, alert, awake, and sleeping performance after the treatment cleared up my infection."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• lad...
• February 27, 2008

For Bronchitis "I have been taking Levaquin for 3 days for bronchitis. Having difficulty sleeping and have no appetite, along with a headache and a persistent fever. Pharmacist never told me to take the medicine with a full 8 oz glass of water. Might have been good to know. So far, still have bronchitis, coughing up mucus and needing an inhaler. I have never used an antibiotic that after 3 days I remain ill. Jury is out, however, as I may be better...soon I hope."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2009

For Kidney Infections "The symptoms of my kidney infection seemed to go away within 24 hours. However, the side effects of the Levaquin started with the first dose. I have a headache, nausea, and feel as though I can't catch my breath. I am grateful that the symptoms of the infection are gone."

• PCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Sinusitis "This drug was awful for me. Was prescribed 750 mg for 10 days after rebound sinusitis after taking Amox Clav, which worked. But then got sick again, and sinusitis came back. Anyway, stopped after 5 days, severe headaches daily and heart racing, and couldn’t sleep at all for 5 nights without getting any better. No thanks."

• Anonymous
• December 21, 2009

For Bacterial Infection "My doctor prescribed Levaquin (500 mg for 10 days) because she said it would take care of both my UTI and sore throat without having to take 2 different antibiotics. After the first two days, I felt better, but the 3rd day my sore throat returned, and I began to ache all over like flu symptoms. The 4th and 5th days, the calves of my legs hurt, and the 5th night I couldn't sleep because my calves were hurting so badly. I wondered if I had blood clots. Today (6th), my calves, neck, and ankles hurt -- I just took my 6th pill, and my upper lip is swelling. I looked up the side effects, and it seems I have most of them. The first 2 days I was very short of breath when walking and climbing the stairs and always have had a headache -- will stop!"

• Anonymous
• November 25, 2010

For Bronchitis "I was prescribed Levaquin for bronchitis and sinusitis. I have terrible dreams that wake me up every couple of hours, so I'm so tired during the day. Also noticed numbness and shaking in my fingers. Made my skin and sinuses very dry. A little dizzy in the mornings, but that might be due to the lack of quality sleep. Hardly an appetite at all, and the headaches are horrible. But it does seem to be breaking up all the mucus in my chest and head. Finally, I feel some relief after 2 months of being sick!"

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Tir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 5, 2018

For Bronchitis "Took Zpac for 5 days, not feeling any better. Urgent care Dr. prescribed Levaquin. I read the side effects and information on it before taking it, wasn't much concerned. However, after 3 days of taking it, I began noticing my legs hurt at night, massive headache, nausea, sluggish head, and weird dreams. So, I looked up reviews on it and found so many people with the same side effects! I'm stopping today!"

• gyp...
• December 25, 2009

For Bronchitis "Dosage was 500 mg for 10 days. Stopped after 2. Feet and ankle pain and swollen knees, hands, and fingers that do not stop aching. Also, lower back pain. Headache is almost constant despite Tylenol every four hours. Cough has lessened but feel overall much weaker."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2009

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed Cephalexin for a 20-day course for a horrid sinus infection. I had a throbbing headache, lots of mucus, etc., but I wasn't feeling any better, so I was prescribed Levaquin. Within the first three days of using Levaquin, I felt incredibly tired; just weak, laying around all the time, and unable to sleep during the night. My eyes felt droopy all the time, I was dizzy standing up, my heart raced when I walked up the stairs, and finally, on my fourth day taking the medicine, I was startled. This had been going on for a couple of days, but my head and left shoulder started twitching consistently. I literally could not keep them still. I got worried and called the doctor and was told to stop the drug. I guess it was too powerful for me!"

• Lev...
• November 19, 2017

For Pneumonia "I was diagnosed with pneumonia and was given Levaquin 750 mg for 10 days. I'm on day 6, and every day 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 they prescribe it!"

• Dow...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I cannot take Cipro or Bactrim without terrible, terrible headaches and other bad side effects. I get no negative effects from Levaquin 500's. Used for my hip replacement, so requested this med for my bladder infection after trying Bactrim unsuccessfully."

• 10s...
• July 24, 2016

For Kidney Infections "I was treated for kidney infection with 750 mg once a day for 7 days. Like other reviewers, I had similar side effects: terrible headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, aches in joints. I'm an avid tennis player and worry about tendon damage. I must admit the back pain is better in two days but still have frequent urination issues. The doctor ordered a culture, which should be back soon and perhaps offer another alternative with fewer side effects."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2017

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "Was given Levaquin for lingering lung bronchial condition. After 7 days, I was feeling 10x worse. At first, I thought I had the flu. Headache, fever, achy all over, no energy, just weak. Then my shoulder joints started hurting so bad I could cry. On a pain score of 1-10, I was at a 15, and I've had 4 kids and rods in my back. I contacted the doctor who told me to stop taking this medication. That it is known for pain in joints. Well, I'm 2 weeks out. Still in pain all the way down both arms. Sleeping on a heating pad and taking pain medication. My original complaint seems minor compared to this. Doctor says 4-6 weeks to get it out of your system. I am miserable. Can't lift my arms."

• Kop...
• August 2, 2009

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was put on a 10-day course and only made it to day 5. My muscles hurt, my feet are hot and itchy, and I have had such bad fatigue. I had a headache and an outer body experience."

• She...
• June 23, 2011

For Pneumonia "I went from bedridden to feeling good again in two days. I am on a 5-day plan, and on day 3, some ankle aches and pressure in my head. Overall, feeling a lot better."

• Anonymous
• December 30, 2008

For Sinusitis "Levaquin has definitely begun to cure my sinus infection. After about 2 doses, I started to get relief. I have had no itching, but serious headaches and dizziness. Overall, great medicine for me!"