Levaquin and Weakness: What Users Say

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Sel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2020

For Sinusitis "500 mg x 1 a day. I took one pill. I was warned about the black box by my doctor, but I don't even know if that matters at this point. I experienced extreme tendon, joint, and ligament swelling for over 48 hours. That was nothing, though, compared to the nerve pain in my arms and extreme weakness. Three days later, since taking just one, the weakness/electric shocks are now in my legs too. I can't even hold a glass or balance myself properly while walking. Just typing is difficult. My doctor basically told me, 'This could get better, this could get worse, or it could just never change. There's no treatment, and people improve or don't at different rates, from anywhere to weeks to months to years.' TL;DR: Don't take Levaquin, even if you have handled Cipro in the past. It's not worth it unless it's an emergency and life-threatening infection. I now have to just hope I improve."

• 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."

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

For Urinary Tract Infection "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."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2018

For Kidney Infections "I was hospitalized for 3 days and given the IV antibiotic Rocephin for a kidney infection. After being discharged, I was given a 4-day course of Levaquin, 750 mg dosage. Side effects started within hours, first nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy) in the soles of my feet, then within a day extended up to my knees and from my fingertips to my shoulders. After the 3rd pill, muscle weakness appeared alongside the nerve pain. I was lucky that within 10 days of taking my last pill, all side effects were gone. I was told by my regular GP to never take the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics again. This is a serious drug, and the nerve pain I experienced could have been permanent. I'd only recommend taking fluoroquinolones as a last resort. Read the FDA black box warnings, and if your doctor doesn't take them seriously, I'd find a new GP."

• Bew...
• November 7, 2009

For Sinusitis "Was prescribed Levaquin 750 mg/5-day dose on June 22, 2009. First week, no bad symptoms except for insomnia and nightmares. It did knock out the sinus infection temporarily (10 days), but then sinusitis returned. It wasn't until week 3 after using this drug that I started noticing joint pain in elbows, knees, shoulders, and lower back. It's November now, and things haven't improved. Along with tendinitis symptoms, I've also lost muscle strength in calves, biceps, and will experience burning in hamstrings after doing simple things like cutting my lawn. I hope this goes away or somebody offers a remedy to counter these effects."

• Aga...
• January 24, 2020

For Bronchitis "After a bout with Levaquin and fluoroquinolone, I developed muscle weakness and muscle tears. This medicine can result in muscle and nerve damage. I have put Levaquin, fluoroquinolone, and Cipro (been allergic to this for years) on my medical chart as an adverse reaction."

• Cap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "If you live for decades after taking Levaquin, you will experience multiple tendon ruptures in your arms, shoulders, legs, and Achilles tendons. All your muscles will forever be weak, and your reflexes slow. Do not take, under any circumstances, unless you want to destroy your health."

• Rui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2017

For Bacterial Infection "This has been a horror since I took this drug - which did nothing for the situation it was prescribed for. I became unable to walk or grip anything and basically became an invalid. I was writhing in severe pain every night from the small amount of shuffling I had to do to keep the shreds of my life going. I got no help from my doctor, who denied the entire thing (worried about a lawsuit probably). The medical/pharmaceutical industry keeps us in the dark - the side effects listed officially are rubbish. I also had complete fog brain, as if my mind had been replaced with gelatin, really terrifying. I also had, in the first year, random speeding heart, like I was going to have a heart attack. Four years later I am still bad. DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG unless you have a life-threatening infection."

• 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."

• 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!"

• Hon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2018

For Sinusitis "Earlier this week, I was prescribed levofloxacin for a sinus infection. I took one dose. I strength train and diet year-round. I haven't felt like working out since I took it Monday. Very fatigued and weak. Last night, I became extremely sensitive to cold. My hands became incredibly numb and cold, and there was no blood in my fingers for the first couple of inches. There's a poisonous taste in my mouth that won't go away, and I have a rash on my back and my chest. My Achilles tendons are so tight I'm afraid I'll rupture them."

• tri...
• December 15, 2016

For Bronchitis "I am only able to take Levaquin or Cipro due to allergies to other antibiotics. I normally only had 500 mg. This time, the doctor gave me 750 mg for ten days and added prednisone 20 mg, take three tablets daily for four days. I was feeling bad on the higher dose of Levaquin, but I need to get better being asthmatic. I stopped after the 7th day of antibiotics and stopped prednisone as well. Pains, burning, inflammation was horrible, confusion, rapid heartbeat, shaky legs. Can't move left arm well from shoulder to fingers, weakness, pain. Pain, discomfort in joints, muscles, bones. My kidneys and abdominal discomfort on and off with that. My physician said it could be the higher dosage plus, on October, I was on 500 mg. Says it tendonitis."

• CNA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2016

For Prostatitis "I think it should be considered medical malpractice for a physician to prescribe this drug to an elderly man with heart problems, especially known congestive heart failure. My father didn't know he should report muscle weakness he experienced while taking this drug, and there was no follow-up by the physician. Since the heart is a muscle, I think this drug propelled my father into end-stage heart failure, which he now has."

• Mis...
• May 30, 2017

For Kidney Infections "750 mg for 7 days, home health and approx four days of hospitalization on Levaquin. Drug is given once a day via IV. I am severely itchy at this point, not much is helping. Some temporary quick fixes with Dr. Teal's body oil. Last dose tomorrow, I feel weak, tired, and have the occasional muscle spasms accompanied by a nasty rash all over my legs, arms, and stomach. It feels awful. I am ready to get off the meds tomorrow, and hopefully the sleep insomnia will subside along with the muscle spasms."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2009

For Sinusitis "I started taking Levaquin about 12 hours ago. My muscles are very weak, I'm dizzy, restless, didn't sleep last night, and having a very hard time focusing. I'm sure this is a great drug if you need to go to these extremes, but it's a little much for me. I'm calling the doctor to get off of it this morning."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2019

For Bronchitis "I am disabled with severe neuropathies because of Levaquin. I do have severe nightmares. I have to deal with anxiety. I have pain all over my body, with neck spasms, and my muscles are weak."

• gol...
• February 4, 2009

For Bronchitis "I used the drug for 5 days, and it cleared the infection, but I now feel weak, do not have a great appetite, but the vivid dreams are gone."