Post Marketing Reports for December 2001

From: Meier-Freed <mafreed@b...>
Date: Mon Dec 10, 2001 11:28 am
Subject: levaquin adverse reaction

Dear Group, I am 47-year old, male, and took Levaquin for prostasis. I took
one 500 mg pill each day for 7 days, ending November 27 2001. The reason I
stopped was stiffness and soreness in both calves just above my ankle, and
just above and behind both knees. The soreness was severe enough that I had
to turn sideways to walk down stairs. I found it difficult to stand erect,
as if something around my hips was weak. When I moved there were odd
snapping sounds/feelings. I had
no other symptoms, although I was tired.

Since then I have slowly improved. Yesterday I walked around town for
several
hours, albeit slowly. Today, 13 day after I stopped Levaquin, I can
move almost as smoothly as normal. I am heartened by this improvement.

I assume that I have been suffering from tendonitis. This adverse reaction
occurs in (very roughly) 1 in 10,000 administrations of quinolones that are
available on the
market. For the general population, excluding pregnant women and children,
this and other adverse reactions occur at a low enough rate that the FDA
considers them outweighed by the benefits. Quinolones are prescribed because
they are effective against bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics,
and penetrate into tissues better than other antibiotics.

Hope this helps anyone who has a similar reaction to quinolone. After
stopping administration, symptoms may improve in a couple of weeks. Michael


From: ymsgr:sendIM?brhsacaymsgr:sendIM?brhsaca"Will Nolastname" <brhsaca@h...>
Date: Sat Dec 15, 2001 1:14 pm
Subject: symptom question

Has anyone experienced shaking, tremors, or muscle twitching in addition to
the other symptoms? I quit levaquin 4/5 weeks ago and feel like I am still
going down hill. Please let me know. I am still new to this forum.

Very concerned,
Will

From: ymsgr:sendIM?chemo_72ymsgr:sendIM?chemo_72"chemo_72" <chemo_72@y...>
Date: Tue Dec 18, 2001 9:17 am
Subject: adverse reaction??????

I have been taking Levaquin for 18 days now. In this time I have
developed a burning sensation and red rash in the facial area. Is
this an adverse reaction to the Levaquin or possibly some other
isolated event?????


From: <ldbuckle@b...>
Date: Tue Dec 18, 2001 1:58 pm
Subject: Re: [quinolones] mottled blue "rash"

I developed a huge (right foot and most of my right calf ) red rash during
one of my early Cipro RXs in '97. The rash on the leg finally faded, but
the spot of rash on top of my right foot has never gone away. I think it's
the vascular "petechaie" rash. When ever I'm on my feet a lot, it brightens
and hurts. If I'm on vacation and walking miles for days at a time (yes,
that's my idea of fun - can't miss anything!!!) then it spreads up my right
leg again.

Never had a blue rash.

Are there a lot of other "rashes" out there?



From: "nhpetek" <petek@m...>
Date: Tue Dec 25, 2001 5:02 am
Subject: Need a Doc in New Hampshire

Hi All:

I am 0 for 4. I've seen four different doctors including a
neurologist and have yet to convince any of them that I have been
floxed. It's almost humorous watching the mental gyrations they all
go through to come up with explanations for my symptoms. Almost....

But I am in constant pain, and I have a very physical job installing
cable TV. I climb phone poles and crawl under mobile homes, etc.
Every day when I wake up, my first thought is, did I get the license
number of the truck that just hit me. My second thought involves alot
of tears; how can I get through another day like this.

Would anyone know of a physician who is knowledgeable about this
horrible condition and works up here? I live in the Southwest corner
of New Hampshire. I am about twenty minutes from the Massachusetts
border and 40 minutes from Vermont.

Also, if you do know someone, could I use your name as a reference?
Please E-mail me if necessary. Thanks Peter Knieste


From: Meier-Freed <mafreed@b...>
Date: Mon Dec 10, 2001 11:28 am
Subject: levaquin adverse reaction

Dear Group, I am 47-year old, male, and took Levaquin for prostasis. I took
one 500 mg pill each day for 7 days, ending November 27 2001. The reason I
stopped was stiffness and soreness in both calves just above my ankle, and
just above and behind both knees. The soreness was severe enough that I had
to turn sideways to walk down stairs. I found it difficult to stand erect,
as if something around my hips was weak. When I moved there were odd
snapping sounds/feelings. I had
no other symptoms, although I was tired.

Since then I have slowly improved. Yesterday I walked around town for
several
hours, albeit slowly. Today, 13 day after I stopped Levaquin, I can
move almost as smoothly as normal. I am heartened by this improvement.

I assume that I have been suffering from tendonitis. This adverse reaction
occurs in (very roughly) 1 in 10,000 administrations of quinolones that are
available on the
market. For the general population, excluding pregnant women and children,
this and other adverse reactions occur at a low enough rate that the FDA
considers them outweighed by the benefits. Quinolones are prescribed because
they are effective against bacteria that are resistant to other antibiotics,
and penetrate into tissues better than other antibiotics.

Hope this helps anyone who has a similar reaction to quinolone. After
stopping administration, symptoms may improve in a couple of weeks. Michael


From: ymsgr:sendIM?brhsacaymsgr:sendIM?brhsaca"Will Nolastname" <brhsaca@h...>
Date: Sat Dec 15, 2001 1:14 pm
Subject: symptom question

Has anyone experienced shaking, tremors, or muscle twitching in addition to
the other symptoms? I quit levaquin 4/5 weeks ago and feel like I am still
going down hill. Please let me know. I am still new to this forum.

Very concerned,
Will

From: ymsgr:sendIM?chemo_72ymsgr:sendIM?chemo_72"chemo_72" <chemo_72@y...>
Date: Tue Dec 18, 2001 9:17 am
Subject: adverse reaction??????

I have been taking Levaquin for 18 days now. In this time I have
developed a burning sensation and red rash in the facial area. Is
this an adverse reaction to the Levaquin or possibly some other
isolated event?????


From: <ldbuckle@b...>
Date: Tue Dec 18, 2001 1:58 pm
Subject: Re: [quinolones] mottled blue "rash"

I developed a huge (right foot and most of my right calf ) red rash during
one of my early Cipro RXs in '97. The rash on the leg finally faded, but
the spot of rash on top of my right foot has never gone away. I think it's
the vascular "petechaie" rash. When ever I'm on my feet a lot, it brightens
and hurts. If I'm on vacation and walking miles for days at a time (yes,
that's my idea of fun - can't miss anything!!!) then it spreads up my right
leg again.

Never had a blue rash.

Are there a lot of other "rashes" out there?



From: "nhpetek" <petek@m...>
Date: Tue Dec 25, 2001 5:02 am
Subject: Need a Doc in New Hampshire

Hi All:

I am 0 for 4. I've seen four different doctors including a
neurologist and have yet to convince any of them that I have been
floxed. It's almost humorous watching the mental gyrations they all
go through to come up with explanations for my symptoms. Almost....

But I am in constant pain, and I have a very physical job installing
cable TV. I climb phone poles and crawl under mobile homes, etc.
Every day when I wake up, my first thought is, did I get the license
number of the truck that just hit me. My second thought involves alot
of tears; how can I get through another day like this.

Would anyone know of a physician who is knowledgeable about this
horrible condition and works up here? I live in the Southwest corner
of New Hampshire. I am about twenty minutes from the Massachusetts
border and 40 minutes from Vermont.

Also, if you do know someone, could I use your name as a reference?
Please E-mail me if necessary. Thanks Peter Knieste