Levofloxacin and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Col...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "This medicine was the start of one of the worst journeys in my life. I went to the ER for abdominal pain (I have never been to the ER before, so this was new for me at age 58), and after tests were run, I was told I had diverticulitis. I was prescribed levofloxacin, a generic of Levaquin, and a very high dose even though there was no blockage. The misery started on day 3 of this medication, which was to be taken for 10 days. My body started shaking uncontrollably from my neck down. It was like I had Parkinson's and didn't let up, which affected my work/job as I was an account executive and on the road every day for work (UPS). When I went to see my GP for a follow-up after 5 days and she noticed my body movements, she asked how long they had me on it. When I showed her the bottle, she was shocked. She asked me to stop taking it if the shaking didn't stop or lessen after 2 days. A year later, I was still recovering and ended up with anxiety and depression due to insomnia. DO NOT TAKE!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2015

For Bacterial Infection "I'm experiencing extreme dizziness, hallucinations, anxiousness, insomnia, and vision problems. I am on day two of this medicine, I'm discontinuing it. I can't sleep, and it's making me feel worse than my illness. Calling doctor for something else. I'm terrified at this moment."

• jba...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 20, 2019

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed levofloxacin 500 mg for a sinus infection. I took it for 10 days with no change in infection, it wasn't working. I noticed soreness in my Achilles and in my knees. I began to experience strong panic attacks and very strong dark thoughts. The paranoia was very intense, as was the depression. I have never in my life experienced panic attacks, anxiety attacks, suicidal thoughts, paranoia, huge mood swings, or depression. The above effects lasted almost two weeks. Anxiety still comes and goes. It has been two months since taking levofloxacin, and the anxiety attacks are getting less."

• Myk...
• October 23, 2020

Levofloxacin 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."

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

Levofloxacin 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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Ati...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

For Sinusitis "Had severe sinus problems, tried over-the-counter medicines, didn't work, diagnosed with bacterial acute sinusitis. Was given medication of levofloxacin 500 mg. Am feeling better, but lots of side effects. Stomach upset, depression, anxiety. Please do not take unless it's the last medicine."

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

Levofloxacin 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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Sca...
• September 1, 2018

For Sinusitis "I took number 5 pill today of a course of 8 pills for a sinus infection. And I am scared and done. The side effects are horrible: nausea, dizziness, headache, jittery, insomnia, leg pains, heart palpitations, weakness, sensitive to heat. I can't even stand the hair touching my neck or the shirt near my neck. Absolutely horrible medication! Am hoping it all goes away now that I am stopping it!"

• mas...
• August 28, 2009

Levofloxacin 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."

• DJs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Do NOT take this for H. pylori, it’s a 14-day treatment. This bacteria is not worth getting prescribed this nightmare antibiotic. I did half a pill on the 5th day and stopped, now my heart has not been the same, it races by itself. My nerves come and go with burning, and the twitching is as bad as when I took this antibiotic. The head nerves feel messed up, and itchy skin is bad. Yes, I did read the reviews, but found out H. pylori can be treated naturally and can be dropped to a safe rate. Just take probiotics, find another route. Even after telling them it had a boxed warning label, the nurse laughed and said don’t believe everything you see online. They didn’t even acknowledge it had a boxed warning label. The anxiety was the worst part, as H. pylori causes that, and then to have this quadruple it. Then for the doctors to say you need anxiety pills for 6 months, no way."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "This medication was absolutely horrible for me - it could be fine for others. I took it for diverticulitis and could not sleep for 2 days after only taking one pill but took another dose before I talked to my doc. At this point, I had stomach cramping, severe anxiety, and I will never, ever take this again. The side effects went on for close to 3 days and then off and on for 5 days. If you have anxiety, I highly recommend not taking this or seeing if another med is an option. The worst was the anxiety, but I was also confused at times. I also wasn't confident in driving while I had the side effects because it overall just made me feel weird. I will never touch this again!!!"

• L16...
• July 5, 2016

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed this medication due to having some 'type of pneumonia.' I was given a shot of antibiotics at the office, so not sure if that was levofloxacin, but I immediately started feeling very anxious and irritated over EVERYTHING. I used to have bad anxiety years ago, and 7 years later, started experiencing it all out over again. The next day, I took my first pill, and about 4 hours later, the top of my right foot was so tender to the touch I cried. My husband made a comment he could see the tendon protruding up my ankle...? Fast forward to that night, and I, who am normally sound asleep by 10, was wide awake until after 3. Needless to say, I called and asked for a different prescription. No thank you."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2020

For Sinusitis "I went to an after-hours clinic to treat my sinus infection. The doctor prescribed me 500 mg of levofloxacin at 1 pill a day for 5 days. I took my first dose that night and had horrible anxiety and heart palpitations. I fought bad nausea the whole night too. The effects lasted for 2 days after I took that 1 pill. The next morning I started to get strange feelings in my left leg. It's hard to describe, but it feels like a dull ache in your muscles. I also started to get an odd tingling/numbing sensation in my left leg as well. This feeling (obviously) alarmed me, and I immediately stopped taking the medication. I took only that 1 dose, it's been more than a week now, and I'm still having issues. I still deal with leg pain/numbness/tingling, and now I'm getting a little of it in my left arm. Please don't make the same idiotic mistake that I did and READ about your medication before you take it. Be careful and DON'T take this or any antibiotic in this family unless there is no other choice."

• Top...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 19, 2021

For Prostatitis "Severe anxiety! Been taking this levofloxacin for prostatitis at 500 mg for about 2 weeks. I switched to this from doxycycline 100 mg. It keeps symptoms to a minimum, however, not without a cost. At first, everything was going well, then the anxiety came, as well as the nausea from the gastritis (which I have never had before). So basically, I traded prostatitis for anxiety, gastritis, and nausea. So read the label before taking!"

• Fox...
• August 14, 2022

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed levofloxacin 500 mg once a day for 5 days for a sinus infection and double ear infections. I didn't think anything of it because I had taken Cipro a few times in the past and had no real issues with that, it worked great. This one is definitely different! I took my first pill at noon, and within 2 hours of taking it, even after taking my daily dose of 1 mg Xanax at 10:00 a.m., I got hit with a massive panic attack and palpitations out of nowhere. I do have anxiety and panic disorder, so I'm wondering if this drug just amplified it. I was out driving when it hit me, so I had to return home right away to take another half of a Xanax just to calm down. I still feel anxious and really off balance. I'm now petrified to take any more of this. For those of you it helps, I'm genuinely happy for you as it seems to have opened up my sinuses so I can breathe after about an hour of taking it. I just don't think this is the right medication for me, albeit too strong."

• Nea...
• November 22, 2020

For Bronchitis "Horrible!!! Anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, I've been off this drug about a week now, and I'm still dealing with the side effects. Shaking, trembling, I can't even get out of bed, and if I do, it's not for very long. STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG."

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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2021

For Sinusitis "After taking it for 2 days, I had a horrible anxiety attack and muscle pain and weakness. After 5 days, it hasn't helped my sinus infection at all, and I discussed alternatives with my doctor today. Unfortunately, due to penicillin allergy and stomach problems, it's my only option. Hopefully, after taking the full 10-course, I'll feel better."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "I was given this drug for diverticulitis at the ER. After 2 days on this medication, my body started shaking uncontrollably from my neck down. I couldn't get it to stop, and I couldn't sleep, which led to severe anxiety/depression. When I went to my doctor 3 days later for a follow-up, she couldn't believe the dosage they put me on when there was no blockage. She advised that I stay on it 2 more days, but I just couldn't do it. To this day (and this was in 2019), I still have nerve issues, tremors, and anxiety. If you look up the 'brand' name of this drug, it's Levaquin, which was pulled from the market in 2017. According to the FDA, doctors should stop treatment with Levaquin, Avelox, and similar drugs immediately if patients report experiencing central nervous system side effects, psychiatric adverse reactions, or blood glucose problems."

• Ric...
• January 2, 2022

For Bacterial Infection "10-day course (250 mg) for an unconfirmed bacterial infection. Discontinued use after the 3rd day. Uncomfortable side effects included anxiety, high blood pressure, muscle, and joint pain. My advice is to not use this medication. Weigh the risk. If you can heal your infection naturally or with another antibiotic, do so. Only use levofloxacin if it’s going to save your life."

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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "I'm a 62-year-old female who had an MRI on my left foot with a diagnosis of cellulitis in my leg and foot. I was prescribed an antibiotic by my foot doctor. Cellulitis was still present after the completion of the antibiotic. He referred me to an Infectious Disease doctor. I have no open sores. This doctor prescribed levofloxacin and doxycycline. I did read the warning sheet on both and told my family and friends I refuse to take levofloxacin. They talked me into taking it. I took one dose at 750 mg. It gave me a terrible nightmare, which I awoke from with anxiety. I also could tell my blood sugar was very low. I started walking around and felt pain that went from mid-calf down to my heel on my right foot. I stopped both meds. I now have a painful ankle with shooting pain in my inner foot. I'm going to go to the ER to find out if there is tendon damage. I also need another antibiotic to treat cellulitis. I should have never taken them. I suffer from fibromyalgia. Seriously, think twice."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2023

For Chlamydia Infection "I got prescribed levofloxacin for Chlamydia. I take one tablet of 500 mg once a day. I've been on it for 4 days so far. Before these meds, I was on doxycycline, which didn't work for me because I was having suicidal thoughts. But then my doctor prescribed me these meds. The first three days were great. On the 4th day, I started to feel a little bit more anxious and had a little bit of brain fog. Overall, I haven't had any major side effects."