Levofloxacin and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

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

Levofloxacin 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."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2015

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed the drug Levofloxacin after being diagnosed with pneumonia a month ago. I was misdiagnosed twice before (for the flu, then sinus infection). I had a fever, cough, and extreme fatigue. WORD TO THE WISE: if you have an ongoing cough, fatigue, and low-grade fever at night, THOSE ARE TEXTBOOK SYMPTOMS OF pneumonia. Just demand a chest X-ray right away! Now onto Levofloxacin. I took 750 mg for 7 days, and it definitely did the job, I felt better in two days. The side effects were intense (nervousness, joint pain, increased heart rate, lightheadedness, insomnia). BUT it was worth it!"

• a...
• August 9, 2007

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "I have a sinus infection that hasn't responded to any other treatments, and I had decided to ignore it, but 3 months have passed and it's gotten into my chest too. I was put on Bacitrin, and that did nothing, so the Dr. put me on Levaquin, and thus far, I can say I haven't had any issues with sleep. I actually fell asleep watching TV last night and slept fairly well considering I have a ton of coughing congestion in my chest and that awful sinus discharge. We'll see how the rest goes, if it works."

• Mel...
• January 12, 2013

For Pneumonia "I am on day 4 of 5 of medication after a diagnosis of pneumonia. I have been sick for about three weeks, originally seen for a sinus infection which has since spread to my lungs. My cough and breathing issues are subsiding more and more with each day. No adverse side effects as long as the medication is taken in the morning with food. The first day, I took it in the afternoon and had some difficulty sleeping, but have not experienced this problem since. I am still quite fatigued but am assuming that is common with pneumonia. I am feeling so much better and cannot wait to be back to normal!"

• Del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2018

Levofloxacin for Pneumonia "I'm on my 5th and final day of the Levofloxacin 750. I've never had anxiety issues or insomnia in my life, but from the moment I started, it began. What kept me going with this was I knew I needed it to clear up my infection. From the 2nd day on, my coughing and phlegm are at a bare minimum. So while it's working, it's dealing with being amped up, so to speak. The doc also has me on Prednisone 10 mg x2 a day, which just increases the feelings that I've dealt with. But for those of you out there, I tried Benadryl 1 tab at night since the 3rd night, and I was actually able to sleep these last couple of nights a little."

• Mer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2014

For Bronchitis "I was placed on levofloxacin 500 mg for 10 days. I have terrible side effects from the medicine: insomnia, headache, dizzy spells. Worst of all, I do not see my symptoms improving. I am on day 5 of the medicine, I hope it works soon."

• JLW...
• February 17, 2018

Levofloxacin for Urinary Tract Infection "I have taken this medication twice for a UTI. The first time I had no side effects, and it got rid of the UTI, as well as a very mild sinus infection I didn't realize I had. The second time I went on it, I only took one dose. About a half hour after taking the dose, I was really jittery and hyper and hadn't consumed any caffeine, but I didn't really think much of it. The restlessness got worse, and at around 8, I started having olfactory hallucinations. I also started thinking my husband was plotting against me, and I had insomnia. It was a miserable night. At around 1 in the morning, it started to wear off, and I realized I was having some sort of psychiatric side effect and then read that was a possible side effect. I stopped taking it, and it completely wore off within a couple of days. I called and left a message for the doctor and also sent a detailed email to her, and she never followed up with me... oh well."

• One...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2014

For Pneumonia "Was feeling horrible for a few days. Thought it was a nasty sinus bug until the blood started coming up. Went to the doctor, and it turns out I had the flu AND pneumonia. I was prescribed 500 mg for ten days. I am on day 8 of 10, and this stuff is AWESOME. I felt brand new on day 3. By day 4, my breathing was back to normal and the blood was out of my mucus. The only 'bad' side effect is sleep! Pop on Netflix and have a 'special' brownie or cookie and relax. You won't even feel sick."

• Ds1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2018

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed by my doc to take levofloxacin 750 mg for 7 days. I got through 5 days, and I can't take anymore. It started almost after the first dose of insomnia and feeling amped up in my head and body. Another problem is the brain fog that I seem to be having, seems like my vision is acting up. I warn everybody out there: stop taking this med if you experience any abnormal symptoms while using this drug. While it may be great for some, and I go for a cat scan Thursday, today is Tuesday, Mardi Gras day here in New Orleans. I hope these side effects clear up soon because I drive for a living and do maintenance work, and I don't think I can function the way I feel now. 'DO NOT USE THIS MEDICATION, IT IS TOXIC AT HIGH DOSES @ 750 mg.' I just hope my symptoms clear up so I can go back to work."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2009

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "I took Levaquin 500 three years ago, and it worked great. I felt better in one day, but of course finished the course of the antibiotic. I had no side effects that I can remember, and was VERY happy that it quickly got rid of the crud I had (bronchitis). I was prescribed Levaquin 750 for sinusitis this week and am on my second day of taking it (will take it for five days total). The first day, I kept spacing out and forgetting what I was doing. It's not as bad today. I also feel soreness in certain parts of my body... my wrists, elbows, and one side of my neck. I also had mild insomnia, and I never have a problem sleeping normally. I'm still happy with Levaquin, and these side effects seem mild at the moment."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2009

Levofloxacin 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!"

• lga...
• May 14, 2009

Levofloxacin for Prostatitis "I am 21 years old and my doctor put me on Levaquin for 10 days. So far, everything is good, all my prostatitis symptoms have gone away. The only problem so far is some of the side effects of the Levaquin. I noticed that it makes my skin or tendons very tender. The first day I used it, I was cooking eggs in my kitchen. I had to stop for a second because I felt some pain in my hand. I looked at my hand, it was red right where it was gripping the frying pan handle. As of right now, I've been having a very difficult time falling asleep."

• Min...
• June 29, 2014

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "I started Levaquin four days ago. I noticed that I couldn't sleep the first night. I have a sinus infection with a bad cough. The cough has improved, but I still have drainage and eye pain. I asked the doctor for sleep medication, which he gave me, so I have no problem with that now. Eating lots of yogurt and taking probiotics and drinking lots of fluids. Still, the infection may not respond to this antibiotic, as I have had the infection on and off for several months. Used this antibiotic as a last resort. Hopefully, it will clear up soon."

• 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!"

• Pat...
• February 10, 2016

For Pneumonia "After blood work, X-rays, and a CT scan, it was official that I have pneumonia. I was prescribed 10 days of Levaquin. I am on Day 3 and just started feeling a little bit of relief. I think this is a great antibiotic to fight off pneumonia, however, my only complaints are dizziness and insomnia. I hope I feel more improvement."

• Anonymous
• March 9, 2010

Levofloxacin for Bacterial Infection "Feel like I have body aches after taking this medication. It seems to keep me awake at night too, which is annoying. Also, I can't tell whether it is working or my body is fighting off my sore throat by itself. My appetite changed too."

• 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!"

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2019

Levofloxacin for Kidney Infections "Was prescribed Levaquin antibiotic for a kidney infection. The pills did their job of getting rid of the infection. After 3 days, I started to feel better. I didn’t have a lot of side effects like everyone else, just experienced so much insomnia. I usually go to sleep around 10 pm, but while I was on this antibiotic, I wouldn’t get sleepy until 6 am."

• Eri...
• December 3, 2015

For Pneumonia "Caught a cold which gradually started affecting my chest and lungs. I typically avoid the doctors, but after a few weeks of severe coughing and wheezing, I went to the doctor and was initially prescribed a Z-pak. This antibiotic did nothing for me. After finishing that round of antibiotics, I dropped by urgent care, and the doctor prescribed me 10 days of 500 mg levofloxacin. I experienced zero side effects except for insomnia and feeling a little warmer than usual at night the first night. Highly recommend taking this antibiotic either with breakfast or lunch, not dinner. I just finished my 10-day dose, and although I still have a slight cough and postnasal drip still, my wheezing is completely gone, and I'm feeling like I'm getting better."

• 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."

• pep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2013

For Sinusitis "I started Levofloxacin 500 mg 10 days ago, I'm on day 5. I've been having trouble sleeping and a little bit of diarrhea. Yesterday, I started to have random, deep pain in my forearm, legs, and right shoulder/shoulder blade. I'm thinking about calling my doctor to ask if I should continue taking it. It worked really fast, other than those side effects, which is great because I have a really hard time with other antibiotics!"

• GFi...
• November 10, 2015

For Bronchitis "BAD nausea - really afraid I was going to throw up and not keep my heart meds down! Excruciating foot cramps, leg cramps, no appetite, fatigue, and couldn't wait to get done with these pills. I was up pretty much all night with insomnia and the foot cramps that wouldn't go away - night after night. My husband told me to bear through it and stay on the meds for the 7 days, as this was my second bout with bronchitis in a month. Even drinking a lot of water didn't help with it. Took yogurt and STILL had nausea. These pills are AWFUL!!!! I will NEVER, EVER take this poison again! Expensive, $80 for 7 days. Too many bad side effects."

• umm...
• November 15, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was prescribed levofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 10 days. I woke up to a pounding heartbeat at about 3 am. I felt numb on the right side of my body. I had tingly sensations all over my body. I couldn't sleep, my ears rang, my hands and feet were tingly. Unfortunately, I never suspected this drug because I was taking it with other drugs. My eyes were swollen, my knee, my ankle, and the back of my neck hurt so bad. My fingers ached. I had a bump on my wrist, but it went away after 2 days. I had blisters in my mouth, urticaria. My teeth felt like they were being plucked. I had tightness in my throat. I was able to finish the prescription. By then, I was curious and started browsing. Lo and behold! All I could say is, Oh my God. I am still experiencing these effects."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2017

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed this medication after having chest X-rays showing I had pneumonia. Wasn’t given any other option. I first learned about a few side effects when I picked it up from the pharmacy. On day 2, I couldn’t sleep at all, even though I was exhausted. After a few days, I skipped it because I had pain in my feet and wanted to sleep. I was able to sleep after not taking the next dose for over 24 hours. Then I took half a dose until I finished. I seemed to feel better with just half (I’m small), but now, over a week later, I have awful pain in my feet when I walk, and if I walk more, it feels like the bottom inside of my feet is swollen, even though it doesn’t appear they are swollen. Don't take this stuff!"

• Cal...
• June 1, 2016

For Bronchitis "Symptoms I had: coughing fits producing green mucus, rapid heartbeat, temperature, muscle tightness/pain, wheezing, headache, shallow breathing, tight chest. I was prescribed 10 days of 500 mg/day. The symptoms began to fade after 5-6 days. Side effects occurred after 6 days: extreme insomnia, laying in bed for 7 hours straight with no sleep and only sleeping for 2-4 hours (dizziness and confusion, but this may be from lack of sleep)."