Drug Ratings for LEVAQUINAverage Rating: 1.7 (1877 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Date Rating Was Added Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR LEVAQUIN | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 1 | upper respiratory infection | Immediately after first pill, got swollen, hot achy joints, then came aches and pains all over like the flu. Later, came total disability. Could not walk, lift, bend or function. | I only got better after I changed my diet. I eliminated regular meat and dairy and faucet water. My doctor told me I had to remove all antibiotic sources from my diet. The levaquin stays in the tendons of the animals just as it does in us. I now only eat organic meats and dairy and drink only spring water. This has helped me dramatically. I hope this helps others as well. | F | 53 | 7 days 500 mg 2X D | 2/25/2012 | 1 | routine bladder infection | My father was diabetic and had limited kidney function. Prescribing doctor did not follow manufacturer's explicit warnings and protocol for my father's condition. Even a phone call to my father's kidney specialist asking explicitly about dosage and safety resulted in an "safe- okay to proceed" message. Family members found the guidelines for prescribing physicians online but it was too late - four days at 'standard dosage' was enough to kill, even though he dropped to half dose immediately and quit early. | No one should ever have to suffer the agony my father did in his last days. The fluoride component of this fluoroquinolone antibiotic causes fluoride poisoning. It is brutal beyond words. | M | 81 | 10 days 500mg 1X D | 2/20/2012 | 1 | sinus infection | Severe muscle pain in legs. I experience chronic pain on a somewhat regular basis, and this pain made that seem like nothing. Took 2 percocet and it didn't even touch the pain. Also was combined with Prednisone which also causes muscle pain for me. The only word I can think of is excrutiating. | F | 32 | 7 days 500 mg | 2/13/2012 | 1 | sinus infection | I had muscle soreness after taking for 2 days in all my extremities. On the 4th day my right knee was swollen twice its size, very painful and I couldn't bend it. The 5th day I had more swelling in my knee. At this point, I still had no idea why I was having these symptoms. I only had a sinus infection. I went online and looked up Levaquin's side effects and now I had an answer. I didn't take another dose. The very next day I started new symptoms...numbness and tingling in my arms. I was having difficulty breathing, so my boss sent me to the ER. They weren't convinced this was from the Levaquin. He started to quote the statistics and said it is highly unlikely that this is from the Levaquin. I do not have any health issues. I don't take any prescription medications. I only take vitamins on a daily basis. I was on the Levaquin for a sinus infection that had failed other antibiotics. After 3 days off the medication, I could barely walk. My back now was the victim. I'm 7 days off now. My | Levaquin worked for my sinus infection. After only second dose, I didn't have the sinus headache I had for 6 weeks prior. So in that respect it worked. I wouldn't trade the headache for the horrible pain I know have. Unfortunately, all medications come with some type of risk. Hopefully in time my symptoms will stop and I won't have any residual pain. One can only hope. | F | 50 | 5 days 500mg 1X D | 2/13/2012 | 1 | Sinus infection | I took Levaquin for a resistant sinus infection. By the third day I noticed unusual changes in my mouth -cotton mouth, loss of sense of taste, then vision problems, and then extremely painful joints. My thumbs and upper arms feel like they are broken. I can barely type on the computer. I have called my M.D. and am going to bed. My pharmacist said his wife had this kind of reaction. He told me to call the M.D. and get in bed because a fall in this condition could be disastrous. I just started a new job and don't know how I am going to work. I also have a young daughter who is disabled and really concerned as to how I am going to take care of her. How long do the reactions last??? | F | 55 | 10 days 500mg 1X D | 2/11/2012 | 1 | sinus infection | Legs and thighs hurting,unable to sleep,can't eat,worse medication I have ever taken | F | 40 | 2 days 750 | 2/9/2012 | 1 | chronic prostatitis | Pain in neck, shoulder and arm, and not able to straighten or lift arm above shoulders or head | M | 40 | 6 days 1000mg 2X D | 2/6/2012 | 1 | Ear infection | Hallucinations, suspiciousness, high blood pressure and blacking out. | F | 51 | 2 days 750 1X D | 2/6/2012 | 1 | Infection in lungs-asthma related | Fever, facial flushing, trembling, heartburn, insomnia, dizziness,confusion, exhaustion, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, and rapid heart rate. After 3 out of the seven days, I stopped taking it realizing it DEFINITELY WAS the drug. Had to go to the hospital finally to be checked out due to the drug continuing to cause dizziness and pain even after 2 days stopping it. VERY ANGRY about this. There was no EXTRA information given since this is such a POWERFUL DRUG. This medicine SHOULD be removed from pharmacies. You take an antibiotic to get BETTER, not to try and CAUSE harm. I cannot BELIEVE this medicine is dispensed so commonly. This was their FIRST choice for me. Just cannot understand the doctor's office's stupity in prescribing this horrible DANGEROUS drug instead of something else. | SAVE YOUR LIFE....DO NOT TAKE THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRUG. DO NOT LET THE DOCTOR'S DICTATE TO YOU WHAT DRUG YOU WILL TAKE. ASK QUESTIONS. RESEARCH IT. ASK THE PHARMACIST. YOU HAVE TO BE YOUR OWN MEDICAL ADVOCATE. THINK. THINK. THINK. | F | 40 | 3 days 500 mg 1X D | 2/6/2012 | 1 | Sinus infection | Confusion, stuttering, insomnia, hallucinations, joint pain, stinging & burning of skin from the inside of my body out, loss of muscle control, loss of brain function, severe pain in muscles, joints and tendinitis in entire body. In wheelchair twice. I'm 39 and was perfectly healthy except for sinus infection. Now after 6 months, still disabled. | Unless you are going to die, do not even consider taking this drug. If I were dying and had to choose with what I know now, it would be a difficult decision. I don't think I could voluntarily put myself through the start of this hell a second time. | F | 39 | 5 days 500 mg 1X D | 2/6/2012 | 1 | Bad sinus infection | HORRIBLE hives, sleeplessness anxiety. Stopped taking it because of the hives per dr's orders. | This drug is DANGEROUS, i know 2 people personally who have had tendon ruptures from it. One was a teenager at the time and the other was a fully grown adult woman. STAY AWAY! | F | 30 | 1 days 1X D | 2/5/2012 | 1 | Sinus Infection | Weakness, ringing in ears, body aches, joint pain, muscle pain | I was prescribed levaquin after two rounds of antibiotics did not cure my ear/sinus infection since November. I just stopped taking this drug 4 days ago. Now I have joint and muscle pain. It is not brutally bad YET! And I am praying it never gets worse than it is now. DO NOT EVER TAKE THIS MED UNLESS IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH! My doc should have NEVER given me this poison for a sinus infection due to the chance of crippling side effects. I should never have taken the 2nd pill. Side effects after 1st pill should have been warning enough. Listen to your gut instint! If it's saying don't take it... DON'T TAKE IT! | F | 43 | 2 days 750mg 1X D | 2/4/2012 | 1 | viral lung infection!! | peripheral neuropathy, tendon ruptures, tendinitis, insomnia, anxiety, vision problems, GI problems, angioedema, hypoxia, swollen veins, confusion, memory loss, muscle cramping, muscle pain | I would not take this medication even if it could prevent me from dying. It has caused me immense suffering and has ruined my life | F | 48 | 7 days 500 mg 1X D | 2/3/2012 | 1 | Sinus/Resp infection | The first day, i felt my blood pressure drop and had a massive panic attack, but since that happens every so often, i didn't think it was the medication. Then for 3 nights I kept jumping out of bed running to the bathroom, felt like a was going to throw up. The nausea was out of controll, but I still grit my teeth and went to work and so on. Then on the forth day, I felt like my body was bruised, everything that touched my skin, hurt esp cold things, if I held a cold drink the pain would radiate and linger. The next morning I couldn't get out of bed, I felt like a truck hit me. Not only did my entire body hurt,but every now and then it was like i was getting stabbed with a tooth pick (even in my eyes). This medication should be taken off the market, my children missed school because it debilitated me so bad. Not to mention, my doctors know I already have nerve and joint problems, now what do I do it this drug has long lasting effects to add on to my pre-existing problems? | Also, just found out my Aunt had very similar reaction to this medication just before I did. | F | 33 | 5 days 500mg 1X D | 2/3/2012 | 1 | Bacterial post surgical infection | I was dizzy, nauseous, tired and confused. I lost control of my bladder and had horrific gas and diarrhea. My whole body hurt. I had blood clots. I had ruptured tendons and unexplained cartilage damage. My blood pressure was all over. My prostate bloated up. I had insomnia. I had pulmonary edema. My stomach hurt and I had terrible heartburn. I had a hematoma and huge varicose veins erupted on my leg. I had rashes all over, and mysterious bruises, and my wounds wouldn't heal. My skin felt like bugs were crawling around underneath it. I had tingling sensations in my back that went all over my body. I had unprompted sharp pains all over that appeared and disappeared. My joints hurt and they began popping loudly. I had ringing in my ears. I had wild crazy panic attacks. I couldn't understand what I was reading, or make sense of signs, or follow a TV show, or even tell time. My vision deteriorated rapidly. My blood oxygen levels were low. I was really depressed and suicidal. | DO NOT TAKE LEVAQUIN!!!!! This is the worst thing that ever happened to me. 4 1/2 years later I'm still in and out of the hospital because it DESTROYED MY BODY and my life. I wouldn't give this horrible crap to my worst enemy. The makers of this drug belong in prison for the rest of their lives! | M | 49 | 21 days Unknown 2X D | 2/3/2012 | 1 | Sinus infection | Anxiety, insomnia, paranoia, dizziness | After feeling like a space cadet for 3 days, I stopped the medication and felt better after 24 hours. Found out later that Levaquin counteracts benzodiazepines...and I am a long term benzo user...wish I would have known before...so it basically threw me into severe withdrawals. It's probably an effective antibiotic but too many side effects. | M | 36 | 3 days 500 2X D | 2/3/2012 | 1 | Sinus Infection | I have suffered severe tendon damage to both Achilles, both knees, both hips, both hands and wrists, both elbows, both shoulders, and my jaw. I have suffered nerve damage in my face, arms and hands. It also damage my gut as well. I am now 10 months out from taking it and STILL have not recovered. Previously, I was very healthy and active, working out 4-5 days a week. Thus drug has SEVERE altered my life, my ability to care for my family and enjoy my friends. There are so many other drugs on the market that could be used for routine, minor infections. Why would you want to play Russian Roulette and take this one. IT IS NOT WORTH the pain, lost time and thousands upon thousands if dollars spent desperately tryIng to recover. | F | 34 | 8 days 500 mg | 2/2/2012 | 1 | Bacterial infection | Extreme nausea, insomnia, excessive belching | Why in the world is this drug still on the market? I started my descent into hell last night around 8:00. My side effects are not nearly as bad as some of the other ones i have read but they are bad enough to interfere with my life. I have felt worse than the actual illness has made me feel. I feel like throwing up constantly. I have this weird feeling in my throat that is hard to describe. I feel like crap warmed over. I will not take another dose of this poison again. I have 2 kids and can not function with this drug. | F | 37 | 1 days 500mg 1X D | 2/1/2012 | 1 | UTI/bladder infection | Administered via IV in the ER. Redness near port, itching, swelling.Administration was stopped, port flushed twice, another antibiotic administered instead. | F | 64 | via IV 1X D | 1/30/2012 | 1 | bronchis | joint pain in rt shoulder, elbow wrist and fingers. | F | 70 | 2 days 1X D | 1/29/2012 | 1 | Sinus Infection (Also have mono) | Constant nausea, night sweats, extreme headaches | I was given Levaquin for a sinus infection while also trying to deal with mono. I have the normal symptoms of mono which multiplied 10 fold when I started taking Levaquin. Due to the night sweats, I also ended up with low potassium which I had to be treated for in the ER. The nausea and headaches were so severe that I had my parents take me to the ER. They did not say anything about the Levaquin even though I mentioned that my symptoms were not as extreme before taking the drug. After 6 days (6 pills), I stopped taking it and will never take the drug again. I felt like I was dying. Like so many others, I have been healthy throughout my life working out 3-4 times a week. I am still recovering from mono and 5 days since I took the last Levaquin pill...I am still dealing with side effects from that. | F | 39 | 10 days 500 1X D | 1/26/2012 | 5 | Sinus Infection | I experienced zero side effects. | This drug has saved me as it's the only thing that is able to effectively treat my repeated sinus infections. No other drug can stop the infections, so I'm grateful it exists. I am careful to take it with a probiotic twice a day to combat any gastrointestinal problems that may arise, but, other than that, this medication was completely fine for me. I even had to take it for 30 days straight one time to fight a persistent sinus infection. Finally having sinus surgery due to repeated infections. Levaquin really helped me through some awful times with my sinuses. I guess I am lucky it didn't impact me negatively. | F | 44 | 30 days 500 mg. 1X D | 1/25/2012 | 3 | Pneumonia | Insonomia, weakness and fatigue, vaginal dryness and itching, pulled/sore muscle, constipation. | This drug is not as bad as it is made out to be, however, the side effects can be very severe. It began to dry up my cough and phlem within 2 doses. | F | 28 | 7 days 500 1X D | 1/24/2012 | 1 | Upper respiratory Infection | Severe pain in upper back, shoulders down to wrist in right arm to wrist, and left arm to elbow. Numbness in left leg comes and goes but is not consistent. Tendons swell and insomnia also. | I completed the doseage the end of December and pain is still continuing. I did find a forum where conditions are even more severe than what I am experiencing and has been effecting them for years. This family of drugs should not be given unless a last resort, and better yet, pulled off the market! | F | 56 | 10 days 500 mg 1X D | 1/24/2012 | 2 | Sinus infection | Sinus infection began in mid December, prescribed Z-Pak. Wanting to give the Z-Pak time, 3 weeks later still had headache, ear pain and cough, better than before but not completely gone. After three weeks from start of Z-Pak, it was time to go back to MD, who prescribed Levaquin. Initially, horrendous night sweat on first evening. Three hours after second dose I began felling dizzy and slightly euphoric, neck pain, abdominal cramping, muscle pain in lower back, shoulders,legs and over all extremely tired. I typically work out with weights 3 to 4 times a week, so I contributed the muscle pain to this.However,I did not workout the day prior to beginning medication and from there forward. On day 3 and 4 my cough had improved minimally, I continued with sweating(night and day),I noticed a shorter attention span, short term memory issues and I noticed an increase in temper and verbal aggression. As of last evening, with these symptoms and a pounding headache for 4 days. | As a RN for over 18 years, I know there are benefits to this medication for many individuals who have a infection that is not responding to any other antibiotics. It is very unfortunate that the side effects out way the benefits for some individuals. In my opinion, I feel Levaquin should be utilized for severe cases only, after and only after, all other broad spectrum antibiotics have been exhausted. This is a dangerous medication, physicians should be required to give a pamphlet of information to the patients AND explain the possible side effects and what to report immediately to the doctor prior to the patient ingesting the antibiotic. Pharmacies do give this information however reality is most people do not read this information. | F | 40 | 10 days 500MG 1X D | 1/23/2012 | 1 | Pneumonia?? | Burning at IV port, after 2 days - hand was inflamed, lost the use of my thumbs, could not lift a glass of water, too weak, then legs went out from under me, extreme insomnia.By the 5th day I had lost over 10 pounds. I found out later what drugs I had been given - Levaquin along mega doses of Predinsone, NSAIDS, antacids. You see, I was not crippled in any way prior to ER visit and the stay in hospital. Released crippled and they told me 'bad infection'. I suffered horrific pains in all organs of my body at home - scary, felt like I was 100 years old and going to die. It took forever to get my records but when I did and researched - there it was. I am 20 months out now. I have a ruptured rotator cuff, PN, CNS. I am still home bound, unable to walk. This was so unnecessary - there are plenty of other antibiotics without the known risks and to not be consulted or even told what drug for such a long time really added to the misery and worry of what had happened to me. | I was an active healthy person on no medication prior to being given Levaquin along with prednisone, NSAID's - it has been painful and demoralizing to go to doctors who deny any knowledge of the risks. It's taking everything I loved about my life away and added unbelievable pain. Please do your research - please never take this drug unless it is life or death and NEVER concomitant with predinsone, NSAID's, antacids. | F | 60 | 5 days 750 mg IV 1X D | 1/23/2012 | 1 | UTI/Kidney Infectiom | Pain in arms, elbows, knees, legs, and sternum. Tremors in arms and hands. After 8 days of taking leviquin 250mg I researched the drug due to my own side effects. Now I'm horrified and pray I do not develop any additional effects and hope the side effects I have now will disappear. The leg aching started after dose 2. I will be crushed if I develop serious and permanent effects since I'm already disabled with another issue. It's been 2 days since my last dose and I'm still experiencing the side effects listed above. I'm currently flushing out my body with over 5-6 liters of water daily. 1/2 the time I'm adding cranberry juice for my kidneys. I'm taking probiotics twice daily and detoxing with chia seeds. Chia seeds are loaded with omega vitamins, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, potassium, fiber, ect... Hopefully, by flushing out my system and using chia supplements I'll be able to avoid any further side effects. I was prescribed 17 days of leviquin for a kidney and UTI infection. The leviquin did nothing to help my infection. Day 8 I called my doctor and she agreed to discontinue the leviquin. My doctor did not know how severe the side effects were. I have an absolutely wonderful doctor that I fully trust. Next time I will fully research any new medications I put into my body. | F | 38 | 8 days 250 | 1/21/2012 | 1 | bronchitis | Insomnia, anxiety, depression, gas, irregular bowel, headaches, leg/knee pain, shakiness, tiredness, restlessness | I was supposed to take it for 10 days but quit after 5. | F | 44 | 5 days 500 1X D | 1/20/2012 | 1 | Bronchitis | Severe pain in sternum, then progressed to right side (front and back). Shingles | After 2 doses of this drug, I began to develop symptoms. I was not that sick to start with, cough and congestion. I do/did not have a compromised immune system. Shingles appeared 7 days after beginning this drug. | F | 40 | 3 days 500MG 1X D | 1/19/2012 | 4 | Pneumonia | The first 6 hours after taking each pill I experienced mild anxiety, jitters, insommia and nausea/heartburn. It was extremely effective for pneumonia, but I'm glad other people have had these side effects because they're not listed for the drug. I just finished my last dose and working through the jitters and insomnia now. It's easier to deal with now that I know where it's coming from. If you have to take it, I would recommend taking it in the morning, the jitters always went away for me after the first 6 hours or so. | F | 33 | 7 days 750mg 1X D | 1/18/2012 | 2 | bronchitis | insomnia, anxiety, nightmares, muscle weakness and sore muscles (like I feel crippled getting up out of a chair), red bumpy rash on my chest | This was prescribed to me after first antibiotic failed. I only took 4 of the 10 pills and even skipped a day (I was nervous), as these symptoms persisted, then I just gave up. Apparently it's in your system a long time, because these side effects are still hanging around. Can't wait to see if my tendons pop. This is up there with aches and pains I had while going thru CHemo. At least I knew that was "normal" this is not. | F | 45 | 10 days 500 1X D | 1/10/2012 | 1 | sinus infection | I had every side effect except the Achilles tendon didn't break. I got plantar fasciitis and had 2 (4 week sessions) of Physical therapy. It is now 9 months since taking Levaquin and I'm just starting to walk on a track again after having too much pain in legs, feet and ankles to walk continuously. Fatigue is better but shortness of breath still persists. | F | 72 | 4 days 750 1X D | 1/8/2012 | 1 | Sinus / Upper Respitory Infection | Day 1: Hell from a sinus and upper respiratory infection, after taking the medicine I noticed an almost immediate improvement within 2-3 hours. No noticeable side effects. No insomnia. Why did I take the medication? I was deadly ill and could not sit in front of a computer to read up about the countless of studies done into the potency of this drug. Day 2: Lower back pain, mild tingly (I suspect palpitation, this generally occurs when injury has occurred / is occurring to the tendon) sensation in the front of my knee cap. Attempted to do some yoga, stretching provided temporary relief. Day 3: Tingly sensation in wrist, and triceps. Woke up with a horrible dream, heart racing, sweats. The nightmares seem to indicate that the drug effects the central nervous system. Day 3: Ran to the Doctor's office to beg them to take me off this, and to put me on the good old penicillin found in red wine barrels. Still experiencing tingly sensation in the aforementioned areas I have had pre | Firstly, upon reading about the drug on this forum, I found that the majority of posters seem to lack creditability. The CAPITAL letters, numerous exclamation marks, and horrible grammar really take away from the validity. Secondly, different people react different to certain drugs. However, I have to agree with the majority of the comments - this drug is poison. My background: I am a graduate student in Nutrition and Kinesiology major program at a Canadian university. Very active, and love to exercise. | M | 27 | 2 days 500mg 1X D | 1/7/2012 | 1 | Infection in my toe | Rapid heart rate, dizziness, breathlessness, lack of energy and strength, chest pain, nausea, tremors, shakiness. | I took two other antibiotics for an infection in my toe before loosing the toenail and being put on generic Levaquin. The first dose was Fri night, saturday I felt weak and fluish, took the second dose Saturday afternoon, by 6 pm I had all the listed symptoms, went to the ER with a heart rate of 167. They gave me Zofran for nausea, something to lower my heart rate, and Ativan. They asked if I had anxiety disorder, I said no and asked if it was the Levaquin. They said not likely. I asked the Dr. on Tuesday, saying I saw that these were specific side effects and they were bad. He said unless my throat closed up or I had big welts, to keep taking it. I ended up back in the ER the next morning after little sleep the night before. Finally, the ER Dr. said to stop taking this. No one in the medical world seemed to take me seriously until my second trip to the ER. My boyfriend says sue, but all lawsuits are based on Tendon problems, I don't have that. My last dose was Tuesday, today is Friday, and I've felt nauseated and anxious all day, and developed a monster head ache and jaw pain. | F | 40 | 4 days 1X D | 1/6/2012 | 1 | pre-medication surgery | I was given this drug, along with an IV bag of the same on December 9. By the second day I could barely walk, I complained and was told it was due to the neurostimulator trial I was doing for my back. The adjusted the stimulator and the next day, I couldn't get out of bed. My tendons felt like they were going to blow, my muscles were tight, I had nerve zapping all over my body. The stimulator was removed and the symptoms worsened. I thought I was going to die--I could not stop crying. The doctor told me I must have fibromyalgia or the flu--I did not have either. They wanted me to start prednisone to counteract my problems, but I had already researched this evil drug and refused. I continue to battle a myriad of symptoms, including constant joint pain, tinnitus, and feel as if I am going to die. Please stay away from this drug. If I end up dying, I hold this drug to blame. | STAY AWAY!!!! YOU have no idea how many symptoms I have from this and how terrible the side affects can be. This should never be a first line antibiotic used. | F | 51 | 5 days 750 1X D | 1/2/2012 | 3 | Chronic sinus infection | I already have leg and foot cramps due to the steroids I am on...but have been unable to sleep and sharp burning pain in my lower abdomen that wakes me from my sleep... | does anyone under or around the age of 43 have any of these symptoms after taking this medication. I am afraid to take the rest of this.... | F | 43 | 14 days 750 1X D | 12/31/2011 | 1 | Pnuemonia | Loss of hand strength, numbness, skin rash and cracking on fingers. Sever arm and shoulder pain and weakness. Sore hips, lower back and knees. Unexplained anxiety. | Levaquin crippled me! I was started on it in Jan, 2011 for an Upper Respiratory Infection and in 3 days I started to feel a little better, so after a week, my doctor stopped treatment. In one week the infection came back and I couldn't breath. After a few weeks of this back and forth to the doctor, my wife had to take me to the ER and an X-ray showed that I had multiple Pnuemonia infections in my lungs. I was on Levaquin for weeks had 6 ER visits and finally in late April, 2011 the rescue unit had to bring me to the hospital were I was admitted for a few days. During that time, they gave me two IV bags of Levaquin. Since first taking the Levaquin, I had an unexplained painful rash on my hands, with cracking of my skin on my fingers, loss of hand strength and tremendous pain and numbness in my hands, arms and shoulders and it still continues today. I am a 54 year old retired professional Fire Fighter, I was strong and healthy. I ride a mountain bike, run, play tennis, golf and hike. Now I can't pick up a pillow or cover myself with a sheet or blanket. My hands don't close enough to grab the fabric. It has been almost a year, and during this time I have had a panic attacks and on going anxiety. I ran into burning buildings for a living, I'm not the kind of guy that panics. This drug has destroyed my life. I want to speak with someone that can help. I want my hands back and to shut down the legalized drug pushers/company that makes and sells this poison. | M | 54 | 12 weeks 250/500mg 1X D | 12/30/2011 | 1 | sinus infection | After 1 pill, I started having major depressive effects. Crying, trembling, insomnia, feeling like someone had died. | F | 41 | 7 days 750 mg 1X D | 12/29/2011 | 1 | broncitis | i was doing ok until the 7th pill, my knees were swelling, and if i bend down to pick somthing up i couldn,t move my knees to get up. my husband had to pull me up. i can,t sak in tub because the pain in my knees is so bad and its like they lock up..i was at hospital and they said they didn,t think it is from this medicine. well i beg to differ. iv,e never had knee or feet problems..now i would love to know what i can do to help ease the pain. i look like a fool when i try t get down or get up. i,m even wearng knee braces.i see a lot of you have the same symtoms. what else can i do? it is almost 4 weeks now.. thanks for listening | F | 69 | 9 days 750 1X D | 12/27/2011 | 1 | Upper Resp Infection | Stomach and back cramps, joint pain in hips and knees. Crippling pain at rear of knees when walking, and all this after only TWO tabs in two days. (1xD) | The P.D.R. specifies special considerations and warnings when this med is prescribed to 60+ individuals & I am a member of that club. I was given this dosage without any cautionary preamble. US medicine is in serious trouble. | 69 | 2 days 750Mg 1X D | 12/26/2011 History | 1 | Sinus Infection | Have always taken brand name until prescribed the generic 5 days ago ... I never had any side effects from the brand name drug, but since starting the generic medication, I have had no sleep in 5 days, severe muscle stiffness all over, and in my jaw, increased anxiety, tremors, poor circulation in my hands and feet, and increased blood pressure and pulse.. all of these symptoms became so overbearing that I started looking at the possibility that they could be from the generic form of this medication, and I see that these are frequently reported side effects of the medication itself. | F | 33 | 14 days 500 1X D | 12/24/2011 | 1 | suspected kidney infection | nausea, uncrolled trembling, headaches, nightmares, anxiety,panic attacks/sense of death, loss of concentration, tendon and muscle pain,joint pain and popping, horrible bach pain, high blood pressure with high rapid heart rate, kidney pain, burning sensation in sinus area and esophagus, burning sesation in skin on arms and chest, hives, extreme fatigue, uncontrollable crying, hair and skin damage | Levaquin should only be given in a life or death situation. Not for a suspected kidney infection. Which when my test came back 4 days later, was negative. I didn't even have a kidney infection. | F | 34 | 4 days 750mg 1X D | 12/24/2011 | 3 | Diverticulitis | Developed muscle twitches in my arm about 1 week after finishing the medication. Not sure it is related, but has been on-going for over 3 weeks. In the past, I have taken Cipro. This was the first time using oral Levaquin. I'm quite sure I had IV Levaquin 5 years ago when I was hospitalized with diverticulitis. No side effects at that time. In the past, I have taken Cipro and Metronidozole several times. I have also experienced dizziness during or after flare up of diverticulitis. Doctors deny any of these side effects being from the medications. | M | 48 | 10 days 1X D | 12/23/2011 | 1 | Upper resperatory infection | Nausea, dizziness, heart pounding. One week after taking it I got severe vertigo. I still have severe vertigo. I am still trying to find out what is wrong. I believe it has messed up my CNS. Most probably it has damaged my vestibular nerves and possibly others. | DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION! IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE IF YOU TAKE ANOTHER ANTI-BIOTIC. | M | 28 | 14 days 750 1X D | 12/19/2011 | 1 | Infected belly ring | I experienced muscle aches all over and left knee pain. I assumed it was just a virus in my body so I continued the antibiotics for 5 days and then I could not take the discomfort anymore so I stopped it. It has been over a month now since I stopped and I have been living with this achy and tired feeling everyday. I keep taking my temperature thinking I have a low grade fever, but it comes out normal. I went to get complete blood work done last week and everything came out normal. I am so sorry I ever took this antibiotics and I am waiting and hoping that one day I will wake up and feel like my normal healthy, energetic self again. I am a personal trainer and it has been so hard to go to work with this week ill feeling everyday. | DO NOT TAKE THIS ANTIBIOTIC, THERE ARE SO MANY OTHERS TO CHOOSE FROM. | F | 44 | 5 days 500 MG 2X W | 12/17/2011 | 3 | Septic Arthritis & Osteomyelitis | I developed a ruptured quad tendon that my physicians said was a side effect. | F | 37 | 6 weeks | 12/16/2011 | 1 | Prostate | I also noticed ringing in my ears when this all started too and it never goes away. Just walking up or down steps and I get and hear threads in my knees tearing followed by pain which seems to get better in time only to happen again. Example, all I need to do it put pressure on my elbow to turn over in bed and I hear and feel threads tearing again in my elbows and shoulders. | My tendons are still brittle and have reoccurring Tendonitis from the doses I took and It was 4 years ago. I ache so bad I can't sleep nights and took so much aleve and other over the counter pain meds my stomach is upset to the point I am sitting on the toilet about 10 times a day. I had 45 codeine pills for a sinus surgery I had in 2009 and taking one of those before bedtime at least allowed me to sleep some. Codeine is the only thing that takes the edge off the pain. I have also developed depression. I have always tried to stay active and now I don't do a lot of what I used to enjoy. I feel like I'm stuck in the body of an 80 year old man the last 4 years. This stuff is really nasty and needs to be pulled from the market. | M | 50 | 28 days 750 1X D | 12/14/2011 | 1 | cough | pain in legs could not walk. then Shoulders and both thumbs. I am still in pain and it has been a year. | never take this drug. | F | 55 | 3 days 1X D | 12/8/2011 | 1 | Sinus Infection | Please listen to me when I say that I have no lawsuits pending. I'm not trying to scare anyone, I just want to let people know from someone who has never had an ill effect from any drug B4 that this evil pill that it WILL cause tendon damage in some people. Let me begin by saying I was prescribes 500mg for 10 days. After only my 1st dose I began side effects. I only took 1 dose. The 1st day after taking my 1st dose I noticed my left knee felt weak and was popping alot. However there was no pain just a "weakness". I had a feeling it was the levaquin and i stopped after that 1st dose. I went to bed that night with minor leg cramps in my left leg The second day I was in SEVERE leg pain. In BOTH legs. I was also having sharp pains drive through every bone in my body. There was also some burning/tingling/itching sensations shooting up both legs. I tried sleeping that night but I was in too much pain. And as a 25 year old fully active healthy male with a high tolerance f | M | 25 | 10 days 500mg 1X D | 12/8/2011 | 2 | Sinus infection | Have only taken this for 3 days so far but I am not satisfied at all. It has slowed down my runny nose, but I am still congested and having a lot of post nasal drip and coughing. This doesn't seem to be working any better than augmentin. The side effects aren't super terrible but sleeping has been difficult and I have nightmares. Loose bowel moments as well. No tendon problems though. And it does seem easy on my stomach, but it isn't effective for me. | F | 30 | 10 days 500 | 12/7/2011 | 1 | tendon tear in rotator cuff from it and chronic bicep tendonitis four months later still going on in both arms . also insomnia | was given this for a bacterial wound.. i would have rather lost my foot at this point.. had a rotator cuff tendon rip sewn in surgery .. four months later both biceps burn and knot up.. can not lay on either arm to sleep.. puttin on shirts hurt. if i reach too quickly for something it knots up biceps.. my life is miserable and changed from this drug.. | F | 54 | 10 days 750 1X D | 12/5/2011 | 1 | pneumonia | I was originally given Levaquin through an IV while in the hospital. My only problem at that time is that I could not sleep. The doctor then released me and prescribed my a 750 mg pill once daily for the next five days. I took the first pill and that night I had horrible nightmares. I layed in the bed as if I was parallyzed and could not move or speak. I also had a hallucination that scared the s*** out of me. When I was finally able to move I got up and took a shower as I was shaking and crying. It was the first time anything like this has ever happened. I ended up calling my doctors office and I was told to stop taking the medicine and drink lots of water. | I have had antibiotics before in my lifetime...but nothing like this. This medicine is dangerous and it has crazy side effects. If you don't have to take this medicine, please don't! Levaquin is awful and should be pulled off of the market!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | F | 33 | 5 days 750 1X D | 12/5/2011 | 1 | cellulitis | My symptoms on the medication ranged from extreme nightmares, depersonalization, inability to sleep,anxiety attacks, missing time, delerium, fever for 2 hours after I took the pill, then dropped to 96.2 degrees and I was unable to get my body temp up, frozen to the core, inability to empty my bladder, itching, tinitus, hair falling out, burning skin, broken teeth both times, irregular heartbeats, shaking so bad that I could barely feed myself, semi-hysteria, depression, suicidal thoughts, my skin literally hung from my bones due to colagen degeneration, , lost 15 pounds (not in a pretty way) my vision was gone almost overnight. I now have to wear glasses because my vision was so damaged I struggled to see my own hand in front of me. My bones hurt. My tendons snapped. My body ached. My joints swelled. A week after I stopped the meds, I suffered a severe tendon pull from opening a bottle of water. The same arm had tendionitis of the shoulder and felt like it would fall out of the socket | Life threatening chemotherapeutic drug. Black box warning should include lifetime disabilities. | F | 47 | 7 days 500 1X D | 11/20/2011 | 5 | respitory infection, Pneumonia? | ..a light case of diarrhea on the first day. | Within hours of taking this medication called Cravit in Japan, I felt something like bubbles in my throat and lungs when I breathed and then I could suddenly breathe really well. It is as if something heavy was taken off my chest. Levaquin has been great so far and I usually don't go to clinics for medication. | M | 44 | 14 days 250 1X D | 11/19/2011 | 1 | Pneumonia | Rotator cuff tendon rupture, took 2 surgeries and 10 months to heal. | F | 46 | 7 days 1X D | 11/13/2011 | 2 | Possible bronchitis | I felt a few side effects, some positive and some negative. The positive side effect was I lost my appetite for food. Usually I am hungry all the time; suddenly I had little interest in food. Water even tasted weird to me. This was OK with me, because I would love to lose about 10 pounds. BUT, on the flip side, I have been getting a horrible aching in my gums. It's a weird sensation, like I want to jab an icepick into my gums to relieve the sensation. I keep grinding my teeth because it seems to alleviate the aching, but then I end up with a sore jaw the next day. It's a feeling I can't quite describe...not an aching, not a tingling, but just a sensation that is terribly unpleasant and it takes over all my thoughts. All I can think about is this gnawing sensation and how to relieve it. I also feel a tingling/pressure in my chest. I did not have either of these symptoms until I took this medicine. | After feeling the unpleasant sensation in my gums that I have been experiencing, and after reading all the comments here, I think I am going to stop taking this medicine. I just want to feel normal again. | F | 47 | 5 days 30 MG 1X D | 11/11/2011 | 1 | Prostatitis | During the first Levaquin therapy I only felt fatigued so I continued taking the drug for 10 days. It did not help the prostatitis. After two weeks after finishing the drug, I noticed flashing effects damaging my vision in the left eye, followed by left foot pain and knee pain. A few months later I had spinal pain which was very disabling. I did not know this was caused by Levaquin. Over the next two years I had another Cipro therapy for uti. 8 weeks later I had a frozen right shoulder with impingement. That took more than 11 months of therapy to heal. Then I took just one more 500 mg dose of Levaquin for prostatitis. After the single dose of Levaquin pain has set in in the left foot, occaisional pain in both knees, widespread tendonopathy, heart palpitations that are unresolved, and spinal pain, chest pain, pain in the ribs. I also have pain and disability in both wrists. This ordeal has now lasted over 2 years, and although some pains have decreased, the spinal, chest and heart probl | DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG UNLESS IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. THEN THINK TWICE AND TRY SOMETHING ELSE. IT IS A DANGEROUS POISON. DOCTORS WHO PRESCRIBE IT FOR ROUTINE INFECTIONS SHOULD LOSE THEIR MEDICAL LICENSE. THE DRUG COMPANIES SUCH AS ORTHO McNEIL SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND LIABLE. | M | 60 | 10 days 500 2X D | 11/9/2011 | 1 | bronchitis | I took this drug and within 2 hours broke out with terrible hives I never had them before and I itched terribly went back to the doctor and they gave me som kind of shot to stop the hives I'll never take it again | F | 64 | 1 days not sure 1X D | 11/8/2011 | 2 | bronchititus | it seems to be not helping my son with cerebral palsy | M | 36 | 7 days 500mg 1X D | 11/1/2011 | 5 | pneumonia | Cured the pneumonia...fast! | I had an undiagnosed mild case of pneumonia when I flew to Denver, that after landing, overnight, developed into a nightmare case of pneumonia. I could barely walk. The Urgent Care doc prescribed Levaquin, and I am convinced it is a miracle drug. Reading these comments, this sounds like a drug that could use a companion pharmacodiagnostic test. Obviously, there are some people who have negative side effects. Fortunately, I am not one of them. I consider it a miracle drug because within 10 days I was cleared to fly back home, and within 3 weeks of having 2/3 of my left lung filled with fluid, I was jogging again. But for those who have experienced negative side effects...it is not often only the drug, but the combination of the drug with your genetics and metabolism that come into play. Hence the need for pharmacodiagnostics to figure out whether or not you can tolerate a drug before taking it. The makers of Levaquin should develop a companion diagnostic to see who the adverse or non-responders are. One drug does not fit all, and the medical community is finally starting to wake up to that fact....far too slowly in my opinion. I drank LOTS of water and clear soups when I was taking it (a good practice any time, and even more so with pneumonia). By LOTS, I mean 4-5 quarts per day. Chamomile tea, chicken soup, water. REST is important. When I was not sleeping or drinking clear liquids, I was sleeping, reading or going to and from the bathroom. Slowly. And I was | F | 55 | 7 days 500 mg 1X D | 10/25/2011 |