Levofloxacin and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

Levofloxacin for Bladder Infection "I was on Levaquin years back and didn’t have a problem. I was given it now at 32 yo intravenously at the ER for a bladder infection that didn’t seem to respond to Macrobid. It knocked me out! I couldn’t move my limbs or move my mouth to speak, I was so drugged. I came to and told the ER doctor who said it was fine, take it when I got home. Before I could take another dose, I had excruciating arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain. Never took the other dose. Went back on Macrobid until extreme diarrhea day and a half later. I was only on one IV dose of this, and I am still having muscle pain almost 4 days later. Not as severe, but wow, NEVER AGAIN."

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

Levofloxacin for Bladder Infection "I was on Levaquin years back and didn’t have a problem. I was given it now at 32 yo intravenously at the ER for a bladder infection that didn’t seem to respond to Macrobid. It knocked me out! I couldn’t move my limbs or move my mouth to speak, I was so drugged. I came to and told the ER doctor who said it was fine, take it when I got home. Before I could take another dose, I had excruciating arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain. Never took the other dose. Went back on Macrobid until extreme diarrhea day and a half later. I was only on one IV dose of this, and I am still having muscle pain almost 4 days later. Not as severe, but wow, NEVER AGAIN."

• Bet...
• January 11, 2017

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "Had a sinus infection for over a month, but didn't know it, because it started out as pain in my teeth. Went to the dentist on 2 separate occasions within 2 weeks to have a check-up and x-rays. X-rays revealed nothing wrong with my teeth. Pain went to my throat for 2 weeks and then my ear. All on the left side. Went to my PCP, who said my sinuses were almost completely closed. I did not have any pain around my eyes/nose at this point. Put on Levaquin. The pain has gotten worse! Has not helped me with my sinus infection. In fact, I'm on day 6, and not only do I have pain in my teeth, ears, and throat still, but now it's traveled throughout my entire head! The malaise I feel is horrible! Been mainly in bed for 5 days now! Horrible antibiotic!"

• Pam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2018

For Bacterial Infection "I was admitted to the hospital for 4 days and treated for acute diverticulitis. While in the hospital, I was treated with an IV antibiotic. Upon discharge, I was prescribed LEVOFLOXACIN 750 mg, one per day. Within two days, my complete muscular/tendons throughout my body were in the WORST PAIN EVER! Can’t walk, drive, hold onto a walker, lift my arms...any movement is severe pain. It’s been 10 days and still the same. Been taking an opiate for pain but no relief. There is no antidote! Tomorrow, I will begin a muscle relaxer by itself, and hopefully the pain will stop and I’ll have my life back. NEVER AGAIN!"

• kjs...
• December 4, 2015

Levofloxacin 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2016

For Bacterial Infection "The effects of this far outweigh the problem it was meant to solve. I was given this for a bacterial infection of MRSA (after researching this should NOT be given for MRSA at all (Clinical Advisor)). I was given this on Oct 5th, 2015. On October 8th, I was making dinner and my legs (lower legs/bi-lateral) began to hurt terribly. I began shaking and became weak. I sat down after the shaking subsided, it took everything I had to stand up, the pain was mind-blowing. Ever since then, I have had numerous tests done to rule out ???? whatever they seemed to think it could be. I was finally told by my PCP that it was the effects of Levaquin. It will be a year soon and I still suffer with weakness, shakiness, and extreme pain. My life has changed for the worse."

• Cac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2015

Levofloxacin for Bronchitis "I took this antibiotic for a bronchial infection. I did get rid of the infection. But while on it, I had horrible nightmares (the gory kind you can't talk about); was jittery, moody, and the tendonitis in my shoulder came back. I also have MS with mild symptoms. The problem is, now that I'm off of it, I feel 'fluish', my neck hurts, my shoulder hurts, I've had horrible spasms in my legs and feet and not the kind that you get with MS. I was prescribed this because I cannot take any of the 'clindamycin' or erythromycin of a Z-Pak. I have no idea when this is going to end. I would not recommend this to anyone. And don't get me started with the back pain."

• Rig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

Levofloxacin for Kidney Infections "I took levofloxacin for ten days as the third antibiotic for a kidney infection. The first antibiotic cleared one bacteria, and the second and third cleared up the second bacteria. The only adverse reaction was to levofloxacin. About day six, I woke during the night with pain in my right arm, from the upper arm to the top of my hand. I thought I'd slept on it wrong. But the pain continued, mostly in the upper arm until two days after I completed the regimen. Now, two weeks later, I continue to experience pain. If I carry anything the least bit heavy, the upper arm hurts. Yesterday, I used it as little as possible but did use my right arm. I had some pain all the way to the top of my hand again. I had a reaction to Cipro. I shouldn't have taken this drug."

• sic...
• October 10, 2017

Levofloxacin for Bronchitis "I am over 60 years old, have afib with medication, have rheumatoid arthritis on medication. I was given Levaquin to take for bronchitis infections and an ear infection previously treated with Z-Pak. I only took two pills and had tendon problems in my legs so bad I could barely walk. I quit taking it immediately, it took a while to get over the pain in my legs. I should never have been given it due to pre-existing conditions and age."

• Smi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2020

Levofloxacin for Bacterial Infection "My legs look like they were beaten with a baseball bat from the ankles and halfway up my calves, and I am in pain most of the time since this antibiotic (Levaquin) that was put into my body by IV in my arm. The doctor who admitted me ordered a different antibiotic, Ceftriaxone, and it was working; I don't even know the doctor who changed the order and was never introduced or suggested that there would be a change. I felt like they really did not care whether I lived or died because of the way I was treated while in the hospital. They treat animals better than I was treated. Admitted on the 11th and discharged on the 15th at 12:00 midnight. Who discharges a patient from a hospital in the middle of the night? If I had acquired this information that I was able to acquire before going there, I would have gone somewhere else! This hospital has an 'F' rating with the BBB and horrible customer reviews! And they got paid!"

• SC ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2017

Levofloxacin for Sinusitis "This med has been effective, but it has caused such bad joint stiffness that I can barely walk. My back, knees, and ankles are in extreme pain. I also feel very dizzy and like I'm going to faint sometimes, really bad gas, and constipation. And the fatigue is unreal. I can't seem to make anyone understand. I still feel sick now, but in a different way. If I had not been so sick, I would not have taken this again. This has been my third Levaquin experience. I just can't do it again."

• jef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2022

Levofloxacin for Streptococcal Infection "Took it twice, when I picked it up and later that evening. Went into shaking chills with pain starting in my neck and shoulders and spread all over to my joints, cramping my feet and hands. It pulled me up into a fetal position, and I was not able to straighten. Everything hurt for several days and developed a drunken walk that lasted weeks. That is from two doses. Never ever again."

• 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."

• 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."

• Top...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2016

Levofloxacin for Bronchitis "I woke up in the middle of the night after taking 3 doses (that's only 3 pills) in excruciating pain; it felt like someone had a huge sledgehammer and was slamming it against my left knee over and over again. The pain was so bad I even vomited. This pain lasted for weeks, and I now have chronic tendonitis in that knee and am in constant pain. Some days are better, but it's a constant pain, and it's always swollen. It's been like this since 2009; it is now 2016. This class of drugs is toxic and should never be used as a first line of attack for infections; it shouldn't be used at all. Don't ever take this drug or the others like it. They are called the 'Fluoroquinolones,' which also includes Cipro and Avelox, to name a few."

• DJs...
• November 30, 2021

For Bacterial Infection "Well, tried it today to see if it works for H. pylori. Since the other medication broke me out in an allergic reaction. The reviews look very bad, and even the actual website of this drug. Will see how it goes, I guess one day at a time, and the mind plays a big factor when taking antibiotics, the nurse said. First dose today made me sore, feel good though, but anxiety always wants to creep in."

• Lee...
• April 23, 2020

Levofloxacin "Levaquin was prescribed at MDAnd for a clinical trial for AML on 9-13-19. Pain attributed to monthly chemo. In Feb 2020, I considered switching, but wary of more side effects, I continued. Pain so severe, trouble climbing the three steps into the RV after treatment. Physical condition at 71 is such that the SCT doc, immediately after meeting me, pronounced perfect condition for a SCT. I canceled March chemo due to COVID-19 and eliminated that pain. After continual Tylenol for pain, I couldn't continue like this. I stopped Levaquin. Total body pain better, but now pain in right arm rotator cuff, both upper arms, and knee pain. Then on 4-23-20, after much prayer in figuring this out and beginning chemo and more pain next week, I found one article that described shoulder rotator cuff pain, even after discontinuing Levaquin, and the light came on!"

• 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."

• Dog...
• March 11, 2020

For Sinusitis "This drug has caused a great deal of discomfort and pain to my legs and arms. I got a concussion 2 years ago and still have difficulty comprehending technical reading material. There were approximately 8 pages of possible side effects. I assumed the doctor or pharmacist would inform me of anything important. No one did. Even when I complained to the doctor about how sore my legs were since taking Levofloxacin, he didn’t say one word. It’s now been approximately 3 months since I took it. Symptoms are not getting better. STAY AWAY FROM THE DRUG!"

• Tak...
• April 18, 2016

For Urinary Tract Infection "I was given 500 mg Levofloxacin for a UTI infection. Severe lower back pain that comes and goes. Pain in my legs that comes and goes. Horrible medicine. Now I know it's an Anthrax drug, which I have refused to take in the past. My doctor just slipped this one in under a name different than Ciprofloxacin. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone unless they have Anthrax. Try Keflex. It's a great drug with very few side effects."

• tri...
• December 15, 2016

Levofloxacin 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2018

For Urinary Tract Infection "In 2007, took this med for a urinary tract infection, the emergency doctor gave it to me. I luckily took one pill and immediately had a horrid reaction. The next day, the infection was really bad. I went to another doctor who gave me a classic antibiotic, and in two days, I got a bit better, then finally great. The rest of the year, I couldn't lift my feet, stumbled unexpectedly, and had spasms in my back legs. No one knew then, I guess, but suddenly noticed my tendons were really thick and rigid. I had been a runner and jumper, now I couldn't walk. Now, ten years later, I have to massage my legs on and off all day to restart circulation. Also, I have a liver problem with varices, but no normal symptoms or markers. All seem related to that single damn pill. Thank goodness I only took one. It has ruined my life for any activity, and now the pain and rigidity have set in muscle cramps a lot. Now I know why! DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG. I ONLY TOOK ONE PILL AND IT RUINED MY LIVELIHOOD, not worth it."