Levofloxacin and Joint Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2022

For Bladder Infection "I am 69 years old. Two days after taking levofloxacin, I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance with severe lower back pain. I couldn't get out of the chair. I called my son, and the pain was so bad when he tried getting me up, that's when we called an ambulance. I spent nine days in the hospital trying to find the cause with no results. After almost five more weeks, I was able to get out of a chair on my own. I have, and still am, experiencing constant itching, back pain, joint pain, easily agitated, some days are worse than others. I'm not able to bend over and get my hands past my knees. Before, I could easily touch my toes. I had a right shoulder replacement a month before the levofloxacin was prescribed. I've lost the range of motion I achieved after physical therapy for my shoulder. I had a knee replacement in 2017, that knee has tightened up. I fall asleep watching TV or talking with people, but have trouble sleeping at night. My urologist hadn't kept up on the warnings."

• Ash...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2014

For Sinusitis "I have had sinus infections my whole life, and I am allergic to amoxicillin and erythromycin, so I've taken Zithromax hundreds of times. My sinusitis just started affecting my ear, so a few months ago, I tried 500 mg x 5 days of Levaquin. I felt immediate relief, although, at age 26, I couldn't walk without my knees giving out! I never wanted to take it again. Fast forward to 5 days ago when I was in the urgent care for a horrible sinus and ear infection. Z-Pack hadn't worked. I was in so much pain I decided to try Levaquin again. Day 5 of 10, 500 mg, my body has tolerated it a lot better! I feel great! Very little joint pain and almost immediate sinus and ear pain relief!"

• Sti...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Pneumonia "I took a 7-day, 500 mg levofloxacin prescription of this drug for pneumonia and had no real issues with it the first time around. It knocked out the infection pretty quickly. I then had to do a follow-up 5-day dose, which in retrospect I didn't really need because my chest x-ray ended up being good. I had a lot of the symptoms the second time others have had: racing heartbeat, nervousness, anxiety, joint pain in wrist and up near elbow, Achilles heel pain, and some pain around the knee, leg twitching, low appetite. It's been about five weeks since I finished the antibiotics, and I'm still having symptoms. Take another antibiotic first if you can. It sucks to recover from pneumonia only to find you have weeks more of recovery to do from the effects of treatment."

• Rnc...
• November 23, 2017

Levofloxacin for Pneumonia "I had pneumonia and had been sick for 2 weeks. The doctor had prescribed another antibiotic and steroids first. When I wasn't better, the doctor prescribed Levaquin. The first day was okay, just really tired. The second day I started having joint pain and my ribs were really hurting (not from coughing) and still really exhausted. By the third day I could barely walk because of my knees being so swollen and painful and hard to breathe because of the rib pain. Called the doctor and he said to get off of it and come in for blood tests. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks and still can barely walk and the ribs are still really sore. After reading the rest of the stories, it makes me very angry that this drug and its family are still out there to harm people. Ridiculous!"

• why...
• April 11, 2016

For Sinusitis "Prescribed this medicine for a recurring sinus infection. Doctor at N.W. Allergy said you may have some tenderness in your lower leg tendons near ankles, just don't exercise while taking. After a week and a half of taking the medicine, I could barely walk. Kept taking the medicine because pain was in my upper calves and knee joint. Then it went into my shoulder. The doctor insisted it wasn't the levofloxacin. Two weeks after finishing the medicine, I feel like an 80-year-old woman with bad arthritis, and prior to this, I was a healthy, active 51-year-old woman. Doctor still insists it wasn't the antibiotic, I just woke up one morning with knee and shoulder joint and muscle pain for no reason. This medicine is not worth the risk and can change your life."

• why...
• April 11, 2016

For Sinusitis "Prescribed this medicine for a recurring sinus infection. Doctor at N.W. Allergy said you may have some tenderness in your lower leg tendons near ankles, just don't exercise while taking. After a week and a half of taking the medicine, I could barely walk. Kept taking the medicine because pain was in my upper calves and knee joint. Then it went into my shoulder. The doctor insisted it wasn't the levofloxacin. Two weeks after finishing the medicine, I feel like an 80-year-old woman with bad arthritis, and prior to this, I was a healthy, active 51-year-old woman. Doctor still insists it wasn't the antibiotic, I just woke up one morning with knee and shoulder joint and muscle pain for no reason. This medicine is not worth the risk and can change your life."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was taking this antibiotic for three days. During the night of the second day, I could not sleep for the pain. On the third day, I felt swelling and puffiness in my elbows and hips. I do not recommend this product. I just hope that I do not continue to have joint pain. I quit taking it after the third day."

• Dar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2020

For Bacterial Infection "This stuff is bad news. I took it for 3 days 10 years ago after a minor surgery, and I have never been the same since. I am convinced that it triggered my rheumatoid arthritis. I could hardly move for quite some time afterwards due to severe joint pain and stiffness. If I could rate it -1000/10, I would."

• 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."

• Cac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2019

For Middle Ear Infections "30 yrs. old. I decided to wait before writing this. I took 1 pill, 500 mg, Dec 31, and within a few hours, I felt it. My joints were stiff, I was getting tingling and numbness all over my body. My tongue went kinda numb, I couldn't swallow my saliva. I ended up in the emergency room. They told me to stop taking it, which I wasn't planning on taking anymore. It's been 3 weeks, and I still feel muscle spasms, numbness, and the tingling, the occasional joint pain. I feel fortunate that it's not as bad as it was the first few days when I could barely walk. Stay away from this medication, I wished I would have followed my gut and everyone's advice. I hope with time I can return to my old self. You never know how your body will react to the medication. There are a lot of other medications that, although still have side effects, do not stay with you like this horrible medication does. It's not worth it - it can change your life for a long time, maybe even permanently. ASK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE."

• Zen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2022

For Urinary Tract Infection "I had an awful experience with this medicine. It caused joint pain behind my knees, my hands were constantly falling asleep/tingling. I got a yeast infection, I've been shaking, weird mood instability, and I'm sure other issues I have pinpointed to this drug yet. I would highly NOT recommend this drug, I've never really had any adverse effects with a drug until now."

• 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!"

• Chi...
• September 24, 2021

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "41/F. I had a serious sinus infection for over a year after having Covid. I took so many antibiotics that didn’t help at all: Augmentin, doxycycline, amoxicillin, and a few others. Then they took several cultures that showed the bacteria Citrobacter k. present, which is resistant to most antibiotics. I was put on Cipro for 20 days, then again for 14 days. Didn’t help much. The only other option for oral/non-IV antibiotics for this bacteria was Levaquin. I’m on Day 5 of 14 and already seeing a huge improvement, unlike any other antibiotic used. I’m hopeful it will eventually go away completely. I haven’t noticed any side effects. I have a physical job, and I’m physically active, and I haven’t noticed any issues with tendons, etc. When I asked about the side effects some people get, namely the issues with tendons and joints, my physician said that is more likely if you’re overweight or over 60."

• Use...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2019

For Chlamydia Infection "I plead to you do not take this medication unless it is your absolute final option! I'm 27 years old, after I took one 500 mg pill, within 3 hours all the joints in my hands started to feel like they were pulling apart, HORRIFYING! I couldn't walk normally, and I felt like I was 100 years old. I stopped the medication and woke up to discover my vision was fading away into a blur intermittently, sometimes in one eye, sometimes the other, like I wasn't wearing corrective lenses even though I was. I'll admit I prayed, even though I'm not religious, I was so sick from this medication and everything was so scary. My arms would fall asleep and get pins and needles, my ears would ring and ring. Finally, after more than 2 months, things are mostly back to normal, others haven't been so lucky. Don't take this unless you're dying."

• Tod...
• August 21, 2017

Levofloxacin for Middle Ear Infections "I took 3 doses of Levaquin and stopped it. I now have joint pain, constant tendonitis, and vision problems. I hold Drs accountable for all of the damage done by this class of drug. For God's sake, Levaquin is used to treat anthrax infections, it should NOT be used for ear infections, UTIs, or sinus infections. It should only be used if the other option is death. I'm serious, if you have a life-threatening infection, use it because you have nothing to lose from it, but otherwise, never take it."

• Car...
• June 13, 2016

For Bronchitis "I had a terrible experience with this medicine... very toxic... gave me shortness and tightness in the chest... I could not breathe... my husband took it the same time as I did... his heart started racing, he would break out in sweats all day and night... lots of joint pains... this medicine is horrible, do not take it... I never had any problems before this... with my breathing, chest pains, any tightness or shortness of breath, not ever..."

• Bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2016

For Sinusitis "My doctor prescribed this drug a year ago because of a nasty sinus infection. After 4 days of 500 mg/1 time a day, I developed joint pain everywhere - knees, elbows, ankles, wrists, could hardly walk up and down stairs. I stopped taking the medication, but continued to notice weakness in my ankles. Four months later, I developed debilitating PTTD, which is a failure of the tendon that holds your foot correctly. I am now in an expensive and uncomfortable ankle brace and facing surgery. I wish I'd never taken this drug."

• Tun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2018

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "This is my 4th antibiotic for a sinus infection. On day 5 and not feeling any different. Just wanted to give my experience... I ate yogurt in the morning and afternoon and took a probiotic. I had none of the side effects but slight joint pain. Keep in mind everyone is different. Drink plenty of water. Blood test done yesterday and it shows I have an infection, but no antibiotic touching it. This has been going on for 2 months. Have a CT scan on Monday."

• 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."

• Wis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was given a 5-day script - 750 mg 1/day. On the 4th day, I started getting pain in my thighs and legs but attributed it to random aches and pains. Unfortunately, that wasn't true, and it was from this horrible Satan antibiotic. On day 5, I started having body aches 100 times worse than when I had the flu. What was extremely painful were my legs. I couldn't even get to a standing position without almost crying because it hurt so bad. Then I had joint pain in my calves, ankles, and feet. I pray this is temporary even though I have yet to read a review where the person had temporary pain. This is so scary, I am crying because I am 36 years old with a newborn and toddler and can't be crippled forever. I wish I would read a review where it was temporary."

• Wis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

For Sinusitis "I was given a 5-day script - 750 mg 1/day. On the 4th day, I started getting pain in my thighs and legs but attributed it to random aches and pains. Unfortunately, that wasn't true, and it was from this horrible Satan antibiotic. On day 5, I started having body aches 100 times worse than when I had the flu. What was extremely painful were my legs. I couldn't even get to a standing position without almost crying because it hurt so bad. Then I had joint pain in my calves, ankles, and feet. I pray this is temporary even though I have yet to read a review where the person had temporary pain. This is so scary, I am crying because I am 36 years old with a newborn and toddler and can't be crippled forever. I wish I would read a review where it was temporary."

• 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."

• 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."

• Muf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

For Pneumonia "I've been taking Levaquin for 4 days. The doctor said I had a little pneumonia in my right lung, but my X-ray was clear. Anyhow, since she told me to take it, I am, but I've been having horrible heart rhythm problems to the point of calling the ambulance. My neck hurts, my knees hurt worse, and my ankles hurt. It's like all of my bones and joints ache worse. My sternum. It's helping with the sinus infection and clearing that up, but the other side effects aren't worth it."

• Muf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

For Pneumonia "I've been taking Levaquin for 4 days. The doctor said I had a little pneumonia in my right lung, but my X-ray was clear. Anyhow, since she told me to take it, I am, but I've been having horrible heart rhythm problems to the point of calling the ambulance. My neck hurts, my knees hurt worse, and my ankles hurt. It's like all of my bones and joints ache worse. My sternum. It's helping with the sinus infection and clearing that up, but the other side effects aren't worth it."