Levofloxacin and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Lev...
• November 19, 2017

Levofloxacin 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!"

• blu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2018

For Pneumonia "This medication cleared my lungs of infection, but the side effects, which I never seem to get from other medications, are still affecting me more than a month after taking it. My side effects include: (1) a headache that never goes away, (2) severe ringing in my ears, (3) blurred vision. Going for a CAT scan now since all other tests have turned out normal, as will probably the scan. Just hoping these side effects eventually go away."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I have neuropathy, dizziness, headache, nausea, tremors, insomnia, muscle soreness, depression, lightheadedness, severe fatigue. I could go on. I'm angry the doctor would prescribe this drug to me after telling him my medical history (lupus & SCA 2 ataxia, a very rare hereditary neurological disorder) for my first UTI. He didn't try another type of antibiotic first. This is poison!"

• Jas...
• July 24, 2020

For Skin or Soft Tissue Infection "While working on the house, I stepped on a nail. I haven't had a tetanus shot in 17 years, so I went to urgent care. They gave me a shot, but the provider said that since they don't know what was on the floor or the bottom of my shoe, she wanted to put me on antibiotics (levofloxacin) for 5 days. I never had that with a tetanus shot, but figured it couldn't hurt to be safe. I was told if I experienced joint pain, that was a problem. Well, by about 7 the next night, not only did I have joint pain, but also a fever, stomach cramps, my heart was racing, and I had a pounding headache. Could I not trace every symptom back to the side effects, I would be afraid I had Covid, plus I have no respiratory issues. Turns out, what they put me on (levofloxacin, 750 mg) is what they give to people that have anthrax and some forms of the plague.....NO JOKE. They also gave me the max dosage. I don't know why they felt the need to go to such extremes, but I guess what I am trying to say in all this is, STAY AWAY FROM LEVOFLOXACIN."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

For Sinusitis "I was given Levofloxacin 500 mg for a sinus infection. I'm on my 4th day of taking this med and I have been having nausea, headache, body ache... not sure I want to continue as I read all the side effects!"

• Tam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2016

For Sinusitis "I got sick 2 days after Thanksgiving with a sinus infection, and my Dr. put me on prednisone and azithromycin for chest congestion. I did not get well. I was then put on levofloxacin for 10 days. I am on day 7, I quit today. I have a severe headache, earache, sore throat, swollen glands, sores on my tongue, my mouth feels like it was burned. Gums receded. My arm tendons have shooting pains, my legs are swollen. Ankles hurt. I think this medication should be outlawed. It is poison."

• Kau...
• April 4, 2016

For Sinusitis "My doctor prescribed 10 days of this Rx for a sinus infection; yesterday made 4 days, and I'm experiencing severe joint pain. After reading the reviews below, I'm shocked/scared and will not be taking any more pills. My body feels as though I've been in a car accident; I can barely move my neck due to pain, my hands ache like I have arthritis, my elbows, entire back, hips, knees, and ankles are in pain, and the bottom of my feet are burning as if I've been walking in hot sand. The last four days I've had a headache and nausea, and today my eyes ache. This morning, I was then experiencing confusion and finally decided to do more research on this drug and discovered this site. I plan to call my doctor tomorrow; this drug is horrible!"

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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2016

For Sinusitis "500 mg/1x a day for 10 days was prescribed for an acute sinus infection. I take Wellbutrin and bupropion for depression and anxiety, they manage my symptoms very well. Two days of the Levaquin had me in an agitated state such as I've not experienced in years. I experienced insomnia-four hours of sleep-and I am always blissfully able to sleep 8-9 hours, falling asleep within minutes of laying down. This drug was poison to my brain. I also have a headache, muscle aches, and redness/rash. I called the doctor for a new drug after 2 doses and asked why in the world would she prescribe me something that has a known history of causing nervous problems?! I may change doctors over this."

• 10s...
• July 24, 2016

Levofloxacin 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."

• 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!"

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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Abb...
• April 17, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "I was prescribed levofloxacin for an unconfirmed UTI and strep throat. The doctor did not have confirmation positive on either infection. I have a history of UTI. After taking one pill, I got a horrible headache and called the office. The doctor said to take Tylenol every 6 hours, but before I could do that, I began vomiting and retching, and this went on for 6 long hours! I am a senior and thought I’d die for sure. Fortunately, my son came to the rescue, and the vomiting stopped, but I felt rotten for days! And I never had strep or UTI either. None of those symptoms appeared afterwards. I will never return to that doctor again for his services."

• Ech...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2016

For Sinusitis "After reading all the reviews, I was not sure about taking this drug and upset my doctor gave it to me. He stated, stop reading the reviews, everyone is different, but these are long-term side effects because of the drug. So I tried the first pill, and within 10 minutes, it declogged my nose, but I still had pressure in my head, and then I was weak and couldn't sleep at night. I felt like I was going to stop breathing, and my muscles feel sore, and so I decided to call him and ask for a different drug. I will not take another dose after reading what this drug has done to so many people, the fact it's even out there is scary. I hope I don't develop any long-term effects because of one pill I took yesterday. I start Ceftin today for my lung and sinus infection."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2018

For Chlamydia Infection "Taken levofloxacin 500 mg for a week for severe chlamydia infection. Two months later, I started feeling tingling pain in my arms and legs. Later, I started feeling numb in my left hand. The headache that does not go away bothers me the most. Luckily, I do not feel severe pain as others do. The headache is annoying enough, though."

• CHR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "I was put on levofloxacin 500 mg for 14 days. I had a headache and dizziness each day. On the 13th day, I blacked out on the kitchen floor, hitting my head, shoulder, and hip, I wasn't hurt. On the 14th day, returning from the bathroom to the kitchen, I passed out again, falling over my walker and landing unconscious on the kitchen floor. My son-in-law found me in a pool of blood 15 minutes later and called an ambulance. I regained consciousness when the EMTs were loading me on the gurney. In the ER, I received 6 stitches above my left eye and was told I had blood on my brain. I was hospitalized for 6 days."

• Cyr...
• April 26, 2017

For Kidney Infections "After 4 doses of 500 mg, I got a terrible headache and ended up 2 1/2 days in the hospital. Every bad side effect I have now. I am 69 and should never have gotten this drug. The permanent effects are quite bothersome! It endangered my life, and the future looks not good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2014

For Bladder Infection "After the 1st tablet, I needed the toilet about 100 times, terrible headaches, unable to move my eyes, and very dizzy, sore ankles, finally threw the last tablet away. Ankles still sore, but no more blinding headaches."

• Anonymous
• April 4, 2009

"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. So far, still have bronchitis, coughing up mucus and needing an inhaler. The jury is out, however, as I may be better... soon I hope."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2021

For Pneumonia "2nd dose of 750 mg legs levofloxacin nearly finished me off last night with swelling all around ankles, and behind knees, as well as tendons on arms looks above my wrists. I had lower jaw pain and nervous system with head jerking on its own, as well as shoulder and, of course, headache. Was told to immediately stop taking this med. While those areas are slightly swollen, do feel better compared to when on that drug. Just praying these effects have not done permanent damage to my body."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2024

For Bronchitis "Levofloxacin was good at fighting my bronchitis, but I had terrible reactions. First, my sugar would bottom out, and I had a headache, terribly sick, shaking, trouble breathing, and sores on my tongue."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2017

For Prostatitis "I prescribe 750 mg of Levofloxacin for acute prostatitis. I took the medicine for 2 and a half days. My tendons in my knees, ankles, heels, and the bottoms of my feet started to ache. I began to have bad neck pain and headaches. I was falling asleep at work at the same time every day. My tongue had sore red bumps on it and turned white. It has been 11 days since I stopped taking it and am still having the same pain. I am currently taking magnesium to help with the pain. I see some help from magnesium. Do not take this medicine."

• Kop...
• August 2, 2009

Levofloxacin 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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Pap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2015

For Bronchitis "Have been off this med for over 6 weeks and still having side effects: diarrhea, headache, dizzy spells, muscle aches, and sleeplessness. Will NEVER take this medicine again!!!"