Levaquin and Pain: What Users Say

• HG1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2016

For Pneumonia "A HORRIBLE DRUG. BEWARE. I was diagnosed with pneumonia one week ago at the local emergency room. The ER doctor gave me 1 pill of Levaquin, and I took 2 more from the pharmacy. I took a total of 3 500 MG pills that gave me constant, deep, sore pain in my arms from my shoulders to my elbows. The pain was so bad on day 3 that I could hardly drive a car, put on a seatbelt, put on a shirt, or turn on a light switch. I stopped taking the drug and went to my family doctor for a different antibiotic. Neither the ER doctor nor the family doctor knew anything about muscle and tendon problems. I'm really angry about this. I am over 60 with no significant health problems and don't appreciate being poisoned."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Reg...
• November 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• nir...
• May 29, 2008

For Streptococcal Infection "Few months back I had a combined attack of flu and bad strep throat. I could not eat or speak. I had 102-103 fever every 5-6 hours. The doctor gave me Zithromax (Azithromycin) 500 mg two times a day. After 4 days, the fever came under control but blood spots in my coughing would not go away. Finally, the doctor gave me Levaquin (1 capsule per day). With the first dose, the pain was reduced by 80%. With the second dose, the blood spots were gone, the fever was gone, and there was no pain. By the third dose, I felt like nothing happened. Excellent drug. I must finish the 10-capsule course."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2017

For Sinusitis "Took for sinus infection in 2009. At the time, I wasn't warned that strenuous activity could cause permanent damage while on this med. I tore a muscle so bad it wouldn't heal. Immediately began getting neuropathy. It progressed and worsened over time. Now... after 8 years, it's finally taken over my body's nervous system and enlarged trunk lines of nerve paths all over my body. Hands are numb, feet are numb, sharp pains all over, torn muscle is now a grizzle and emits sharp, debilitating pain. Polyneuropathy is progressing slowly but surely. Had to stop working because of pain. Taking Lyrica and NSAIDs... doesn't help much. At the end of the road! No cure... doctors say it reminds them of exposure to Agent Orange... DO NOT USE THIS DRUG!"

• Hea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 26, 2013

For Bronchitis "Was given this drug following severe bronchitis due to chronic dental inflammations. By day 3, I realized my left ankle was painful and hobbled. I read the black box warnings and immediately discontinued the drug, however, that ankle and then the other one got progressively worse. I was barely making it to work and back, trying to do eldercare solo and thinking I was going to be crippled for life 6 months later. Was seriously looking into joining a class action lawsuit and probably should have, but no energy left over. Think megadoses of magnesium and supplements plus some homeopathics like Thuja finally tipped the balance, and I gradually was able to walk normally without pain again. Used Oil of Oregano to clear the infections."

• Nur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2017

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed Levaquin for pneumonia. After two days, I felt so much better. I had some lower back pain, which I expected, as I know medications well. I am a practicing RN for 23 years. My appetite was poor but has improved. I had some mouth pain with probable thrush related to the antibiotic. 750 mg x 5 days was worth it!!"

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2011

For Bronchitis "I am 54 years old and was put on Levaquin in August. I had side effects from the medication that caused joint and tendon pain and damage. I used to take it when I was younger with a good outcome. It is now January, and I still have very bad knee and tendon pain. Beware of the medication."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

For Streptococcal Infection "I do not recommend this antibiotic, although I did feel better quickly from the infection. My tendons got inflamed and achy. Especially in the calves of my legs, hips, and knee pain. Do not use unless you have to. But mine was given with steroids."

• Non...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

For Pneumonia "750 mg dosage for five days apparently cleared pneumonia, but now, six weeks later, I still feel some side effects of pain and swelling in ankles and feet that immobilized me immediately after taking. Additional side effects included internal bleeding in the ankle area, black toes, areas of skin on the lower leg showing bruise-like areas. Difficulty walking due to stiff and painful joints in feet and ankles."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2015

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed Levaquin 500 mg 1x/day for chronic sinus infections. On day 8 (of a 10-day prescription), I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. Every tendon in my body hurt. Even the tiny ones in my fingers. It took me until the next day to realize it was the Levaquin causing this (no doctor or pharmacist had warned me). I threw out the day 10 pill. This was 3 months ago. For the first two weeks, the pain got worse. I was unable to walk for a week. After that, it gradually began to subside, and I began to be able to walk, albeit very slowly, again. I spent about a month on bed rest. I just saw an ortho yesterday, and she is optimistic about my progress. She said it may take about 1 year for me to heal. I am about 85% better."

• 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!"

• 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!"

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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
• 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!"

• LuA...
• January 5, 2017

For Sinusitis "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION - EVER! Should be illegal. Went to the urgent care during the holidays with chest congestion, cough, low-grade fever, and sinus headache on Monday. Told the doctor I was starting an 8-day cruise on Thursday. She gave me a 10-day, 750 mg tablet of Levaquin. Had a dull ache in my right side after a couple of days on the cruise, which seemed to progress every day. When I got home, I was favoring my right shoulder. Two nights ago, the pain was so bad I couldn't move it, and it was very swollen. Went to emergency and was diagnosed with tendonitis caused by the Levaquin. Read drug info and horrified that the doctor prescribed it to me, a 60-year-old, without trying any other treatment first. So many warnings on this drug."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2019

For Bladder Infection "I took Levaquin for a bladder infection in May of 2018, within 3 days, I stopped it as I had an Achilles tendon rupture, very painful. I am in the health field and immediately recognized the Achilles tendon rupture. I had an MRI, and the rupture was confirmed and followed up with orthopedic specialty. The tendon continues to ache at night on occasion after 8 months. I do not recommend this drug for anyone, and it should be taken off the market."

• Anonymous
• December 14, 2019

For Sinusitis "Levaquin was almost the end of me after two doses. Was hospitalized for a week. Vomiting. Weight loss. Pain. Couldn’t walk. Defecating blood. Collapsed with stomach pain. Told that my potassium was dangerously low. Have PTSD now. An Irish hospital saved my life from this poison. Have effects years later. Still have mental and gastrointestinal problems. Please seek natural methods."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2018

For Sinusitis "I am 62 years old and chronically on warfarin. The doctor prescribed Tavaloxx 750 in Feb 2018, together with other medication, to cure my sinus infection. Sinuses were better on day 2, but since the second day, and more seriously from day 3, it became very difficult and uncomfortable to walk properly, due to serious pains in first one and then both Achilles tendons. I started to read the pamphlet that came with the medicine-only because I was not aware of any incident that may have led to these injuries. I was shocked and immediately stopped the medicine and informed my doctor that I had done so. Now on day 5 since I stopped the medicine, though I am not experiencing serious pains, I am really struggling with hot flushes and tingling in the lower leg areas and suffering to walk properly due to stiff Achilles tendons. Just hope and pray it will go better soon-will never use this product ever again-also warning others not to make the same mistake."

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

For Bladder Infection "I was on Levaquin years back and didn’t have a problem. I was given it now at 32 yo intravenously at the ER for a bladder infection that didn’t seem to respond to Macrobid. It knocked me out! I couldn’t move my limbs or move my mouth to speak, I was so drugged. I came to and told the ER doctor who said it was fine, take it when I got home. Before I could take another dose, I had excruciating arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain. Never took the other dose. Went back on Macrobid until extreme diarrhea day and a half later. I was only on one IV dose of this, and I am still having muscle pain almost 4 days later. Not as severe, but wow, NEVER AGAIN."

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

For Bladder Infection "I was on Levaquin years back and didn’t have a problem. I was given it now at 32 yo intravenously at the ER for a bladder infection that didn’t seem to respond to Macrobid. It knocked me out! I couldn’t move my limbs or move my mouth to speak, I was so drugged. I came to and told the ER doctor who said it was fine, take it when I got home. Before I could take another dose, I had excruciating arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain. Never took the other dose. Went back on Macrobid until extreme diarrhea day and a half later. I was only on one IV dose of this, and I am still having muscle pain almost 4 days later. Not as severe, but wow, NEVER AGAIN."

• Bet...
• January 11, 2017

For Sinusitis "Had a sinus infection for over a month, but didn't know it, because it started out as pain in my teeth. Went to the dentist on 2 separate occasions within 2 weeks to have a check-up and x-rays. X-rays revealed nothing wrong with my teeth. Pain went to my throat for 2 weeks and then my ear. All on the left side. Went to my PCP, who said my sinuses were almost completely closed. I did not have any pain around my eyes/nose at this point. Put on Levaquin. The pain has gotten worse! Has not helped me with my sinus infection. In fact, I'm on day 6, and not only do I have pain in my teeth, ears, and throat still, but now it's traveled throughout my entire head! The malaise I feel is horrible! Been mainly in bed for 5 days now! Horrible antibiotic!"

• kjs...
• December 4, 2015

For Sinusitis "I don't know if I am getting well or not. But I am having a good bit of the side effects: all the inflammation, swelling, weakness, and hurting all over hand, arm, shoulders, legs, and feet. I sit down and I don't want to move again because of all this. I'm also experiencing confusion, emotional, and mood changes."