Levaquin and Nausea: What Users Say

• Big...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2019

For Pneumonia "I have been fighting upper respiratory and sinus issues since the end of January. Even after three antibiotics, steroids, etc., I ended up with pneumonia. The doctor at the ER gave me Levaquin, and within four days, I was beginning to feel like my old self. My only adverse reaction is nausea, but you deal with the bad if the good outweighs the bad."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Amy...
• August 21, 2016

For Bronchitis "I am very shocked at all the remarks about the horrible side effects of this medicine. I am again taking it, as it is the only antibiotic that really does kick the infection. I did notice years ago when I was prescribed 750 mg, it made me lightheaded, dizzy.... so since then I ask for 500 mg, and it is just the perfect dose for my body. I rate Levofloxacin at a 10. I have never experienced any of the side effects people have mentioned, like tendinitis, metallic taste, nausea, etc., and anyone I know who has taken it hasn't complained of any negative aspects of the med either. I recommend it at 500 mg, but would maybe steer clear of the 750 mg. That one is just so strong."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 6, 2016

For Pneumonia "Just finished a 7-day course of Levaquin (500 mg oral tabs) for pneumonia. My infection was not severe, but I noticed effects practically immediately. Within 24 hours, I felt so much better. It did make me slightly nauseous at first until I began taking it only on a full stomach. Did not notice any other side effects. I drank a lot of water while I was sick, which may have helped."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2011

For Bronchitis "I've been taking Levofloxacin for bronchitis (5 days, 750 mg), and I think it's helped a little bit, but it's day five (last dose tonight), and I still feel only a little better than I did before I started. Maybe it's a virus or something, so it isn't responding? Oh well. The biggest problem I've had is the side effects: not as bad as what most people have been talking about (knock on wood), but I have experienced severe, severe nausea and also insomnia. I take it at around 6 p.m., and the nausea usually goes away by the next afternoon. I started taking it with food and also drinking a probiotic, and it seems to be helping a little, though I still feel a bit sick. The insomnia is pretty bad!"

• CLo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2015

For Bronchitis "I have been on this antibiotic for 6 days for pneumonia, and while the cough has slowed way down, I am having severe chest pain. I am thinking it's because when I do have a coughing fit, it's violent, brutal. I only have one more dose at 500 mg, and I am worried I'm relapsing, though no high temp. I feel almost like I started out. I am now trying herbal teas, garlic, rosemary, and kombucha. I just started these, so I'm praying it will all work as a team. No side effects, only a little queasy!"

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2015

For Bronchitis "After one 500 mg dose of this drug, I began having a racing heart and my muscles twitching from head to toe, severe dizziness, and nausea. This progressed to my ankle and knee joints cracking/popping upon walking, shoulder hurting, toe and finger pain, and now, the next day, nerve pain in my occipital region on the back of my head. I began reading and started high doses of magnesium/transdermal mag spray, TONS of water, high doses of vitamin C, juicing, and homemade bone broth with rest for my joints. This medicine apparently severely depletes the body of magnesium, damages mitochondria, and prevents new tendon cells from being formed. I hope what I'm doing counteracts any long-term damage and I'm highly upset it was prescribed with black box warnings!"

• Min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

For Pneumonia "Hospitalized with fever. Took it for 3 days. Doctor couldn't find out where or what type of bacteria I had. This medicine is definitely the highest form of antibiotic for bacteria or infected by anthrax. Leaves a bad, foul, nasty taste in your mouth and when you blow your nose. Made me so sick to my stomach, it made me cough up bad-tasting phlegm and gag at the same time. Doctors need to really take this medicine more seriously. I refuse to take any more of this crap."

• 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."

• Kir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2019

For Sinusitis "I've been on Levaquin before for an ear infection and have never had a problem. I am allergic to most antibiotics except for the tetracyclines and quinolones/fluoroquinolones. I've had a sinus infection for 2 1/2 weeks now and was on a round of doxycycline 100 mg 2x/day for 10 days, which did absolutely nothing. Now I am on Levaquin 500 mg 1x/day for 10 days. On day 5, and the only side effects are insomnia, slight abdominal pain, and nausea. I will take that over the inability to breathe, post-nasal drip, and a cough any day because I know it's temporary. I usually run 3.5-4 miles/day and have no issues."

• ksb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2015

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed Levaquin for pneumonia. And yes, it treats pneumonia, but the nausea and overall feeling of stomach cramps and brain fogginess made me quit five days in. I had to work or at least talk to clients, and the way the Levaquin made me feel, I couldn't do that. I could barely talk to family, let alone friends, I felt so bad. I quit the Levaquin, but most likely will need another antibiotic because the lung rattling and the whistling noises when I breathe are back, but no fever yet. It absolutely was the Levaquin making me so sick to my stomach because when I don't take it, I don't have those symptoms."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2018

For Pneumonia "I was given a 5-day course of 750 mg 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."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2017

For Pneumonia "This drug is garbage and should be taken off the market. I was hospitalized with pneumonia. The doctor prescribed it for me when I was released from the hospital. It has destroyed my appetite as well as my stomach. I can't sleep. I am nauseous every day. I have 2 more doses to take. I decided not to take them. I can't tolerate all the side effects."

• Nig...
• November 7, 2010

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed 250 mg of Levaquin after the ZPak didn't help my sinusitis, and the Levaquin didn't help either. After the 3rd day, I had pain in my Achilles heel, on the fourth day, I had nausea and vomiting, however, I just felt weak all over. The pain in my heel went away, but again a week later, on my 9th or 10th day, I had nausea and vomiting again and experienced vision problems with all those funny floaters in my eyes. I thought I saw spider webs all over, very disturbing, and lightning flashes. I don't feel it was worth anything to me."

• 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!"

• Mim...
• January 10, 2017

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• INe...
• December 24, 2015

For Pneumonia "I have pneumonia in both lungs for the second time in 35 days. I was hospitalized this time though, so it's definitely worse than the first illness. The only side effect I've noticed is nausea. If I drink water quickly, I immediately feel the need to throw up. The problem is that I'm always thirsty. I am home now, thank goodness, still sick, but I have what I need. I left AMA because I've got four kids with Christmas on their brains. Hopefully, my pills will do the trick."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hil...
• February 27, 2011

"I was prescribed to take this for 10 days. After 5 days, I could not handle the side effects I experienced. I was so exhausted, but the medicine made me so dizzy and nauseous that I couldn't sleep. And when I did manage to get a few hours, I had the most vivid and bizarre dreams. I was also taking Flagyl and developed oral thrush. I would not take Levaquin again."

• kri...
• July 17, 2007

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection. I had nausea and vomiting, and could not sleep at night. I also was itchy all over."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2012

For Sinusitis "Within one hour, had a panic attack, crying, heart racing, nauseous, dizzy, and sensitive to light. No appetite. No problems sleeping, but was very scary."

• Anonymous
• June 3, 2012

For Bronchitis "Was prescribed this medicine for bronchitis. Very dizzy and nauseous after one pill."

• San...
• November 3, 2018

For Sinusitis "I was taking this medication for a sinus infection. Within a few days, I was getting sick to my stomach and throwing up. So my mom had to call my doctor to switch my medication."