
Tequin Side Effects as reported on Ask A Patient (June 2005)
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21062&name=TEQUIN
From "Ask A Patient" webpages:
4 upper respitory infection Dizziness, nausea, fuzzy thinking, headaches, bloating This is one of the few antibiotics that will work on my bronchitis and sinusitus, so I take it despite the overall sick feeling I get when taking it. My side effects came after 6 days on it, and I have another 8 days to go. If someone knows of another antibiotic that they have had success with, I would sure like to know. F 53 6 days lindsayzz@sbcglobal.net
3 sinus infection extreme fatigue slow working F 31 10 days
1 respiratory and sinus infection After taking the first dose, I suffered from terrible nausea and vomitting. I had to stop the medication.(This is the first time I have had such an adverse reaction to an antibiotic). F 40 1 days
1 wheezing my 78 yr old mother was given 400 mg of tequin for ten days she died two weeks later of cardiac arrest i think her kidney shut down and killed her F 78 10 days hiotes @cs.com
1 sinus infection tingling in my feet; lack of sleep; nauseated; no energy; no appetite; racing heart; F 57 3 days
1 Urinary & Sinus Infection Numbness and tingling in face and hands, sleeplessness, panic attacks, dizziness, dry mouth and swelling of the throat. I have difficulty getting my blood pressure under control with the highs and lows. My first reactions was waking and I was totally numb to my fingertips. This has taught me to always read and research drup reactions before taking any new meds. The risks certainly out weigh the benefits. After reading all the other comments, I'm very, very concerned how long this will last. F 46 5 days
1 sinunitus vomit, diariaha, horrible back pain, cramping, headaches, fever, sweating, cold sweats, unable to sleep because of the pain. M 42 5 days
1 upper respiratory infection had a major seizure a few hours after the first dose and ended up fracturing 4 vertabrae in my back due to the violence of the seizure. After this eposide, I found that this is one of the side effects. Should have researched it before taking it. Doctors don't know everything. F 87 1 days
1 for back pain I get sick every time I take it even when I eat F 38
1 sinus infection Shortly after taking this medicine, I developed a severe yeast infection. As soon as the yeast infection cleared up, I developed a horrible red, scaley, itchy skin rash all over my body. I have been diagnosed with 2 different types of skin infections. The expensive medicines my doctor prescribed for these skin infections did not work. I still have this (?) rash a month later. I would not recommend this medicine to anyone! Please read a booklet published by: Public Citizen Health Reasearch "Worst Pills Best Pills." Sidney M.Wolf,MD Editor Online information www.citizen.org/hrg Please research this medicine carefully, before you take it! F 49 7 days
1 pneumonia painful rash on hands and feet, no real relief to my breathing difficulties, and on top of all that, I got seriously congested and couldn't swallow. Yuck F 34 14 days
1 sinus infection shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, pins and needles in hands and feet, weakness in limbs, dizziness, general weakness, headache This drug is DANGEROUS.I woudn't take it again unless it was a life or death situation. Wonder how much the mfs. paid the FDA reviewers to get this garbage passed through.... M 40 4 days
1 bronchitis Made me extremely nauseos. By the second day I had to discontinue use. F 25 2 days
Avelox Side Effects as reported on Ask A Patient (June 2005)
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp? drug=21085&name=AVELOX
2 pneumonia very swollen eyes- swollen lips panic attacks racing heart beat 1 days
1 sinus infection After the first dose, I had severe nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, and a wierd depressed feeling. I definately was not myself. Will not continue on this crap. scary anxiety, racing heart. F 35 1 days
1 sinusitis I have a fast heart beat and bad panic attacks. This was the worst night I have ever experienced. My heart raced faster than it ever has. I thought I was going to die! Major panic attacks. I can't wait until this medication is out of my system...one day and that was a nightmare. I would rather suffer through the sinus infection with no meds at all. Don't use it! F 36 1 days
1 URI Anxiety attacks at night, restlessness, insomnia. I was switched to a different antibiotic. This was not the first time I've taken Avelox. I had no difficulty the first time, some anxiety the second time (which I though could be from the URI), now this. I won't take this med again. I agree with the person who stated that anyone with a predispostion to anxiety should avoid this med. F 40 1 days
1 sinusitis anxiety and insomnia; heart palpitations anyone prone to anxiety attacks shouldn't take. F 36 3 days
1 sinus infection serious and dangerous mental reaction. Thoughts of violence along with exploding anger. I would not take this medicine nor would I recommend it. F 61 2 days jema4319@hotmail.com
1 bronchitis anxiety, sleeplessness, restless legs, palpitations F 49 6 days
1 sinus/ear infection palpitations, racying feeling, could not sleep at all....definite insomnia! Very dizzy, would not recommend driving on this. F 42 2 days itsmesusieq@aol.com
1 Sinus infection I got nauseous, dizzy and had a near fainting episode. Was rushed to ER, blood pressure got low. This is the first time I ever experienced a side effect like this - 1 hour after taking this medication. F 52 1 days Estellita1952@aol.com
1 misdiagnosed whooping cough tingling/numbness in feet and hands and disorientation within 30 mins. of first dose. Within 10 mins. of second dose - same symptoms as first dose plus tightening of throat; extreme anxiety and confusion as well as hallucinations. I ended up in emergency where they gave me oxygen and put me on a Benadryl drip until the symptoms subsided. I now wear a MedicAlert bracelet to identify my severe allergy to this medicine. F 45 1 days
1 sinus infection Dizziness, anxiety, sickness ... i actually felt worse than i did from the sinus infection...doc took me off after the second dose F 42 2 days
Average rating for drug: 1.4. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print.
Ciprofloxacin Side Effects as reported on Ask A Patient (June 2005)
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=19537&name=CIPRO
There are 87 ratings for the drug: cipro
Results are sorted by average satisfaction. Click column heading to change display order.
Please help other patients by adding a rating. [Research Assistant] [Opinion Polls] [Reports] [News] [Privacy] [Contact Us] [Home]
See Research Section for links to patient pamphlets. Anthrax and Anthrax symptoms and FAQ FDA info on Cipro. Rating Reason Side Effects Comments Sex Age Time Taken Email
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5 Pouchitis/Crohn's Knee and hip pain. Mild insomnia. After trying other drugs which did not help, the symptoms went away 24 hours after starting CIPRO. I would definitely take it again despite the side effects. F 46 3 weeks
4 Prostatitis Inability to consume many foods without nausea, after 20 days of use in a 28 day treatment, ongoing diarrhea. Otherwise, no effect. It did what it was supposed to do, but I was unaware of any side effects that were possible. My main ones were occasional nausea and constant diarrhea. M 47 28 days
4 inflamed pinna (outer ear) bad shoulder pain and generalized pain in that area, neck pain, depression, mental fuzziness would not take it again unless there is no other option - I've been off it for three days and still have joint pain, although it's not as bad F 53 6 days
3 UTI Chills, Headache, Dizziness, Extreme joint and muscle aches/pain in shoulders, hands, hips to the point of not being able to extend arms to perform daily activities, to the point of not even wanting to move any part of my body. Ibuprofen and Tylenol with Codeine helped a little with the pain. My pharmacist didn't see any correlation with my symptoms and Cipro, but after multiple recurrences of symptoms with taking cipro i notified my doctor who informed me that my symptoms were allergic/adverse reactions and i should stop taking it. I have had 4 UTI's the past year, and the 3rd & 4th times i had adverse reactions to Cipro. F 24 3 days
3 possible prostatitis First few days all body felt uncomfortable: abdominal pain, liver part pain, nausea.On sixteenth day I took the Ultrasound exam it reveals that liver enlargement and kidney archs which were never occured before. I had no idea about this side effects when I took this medicine.I called the doc and told him the side effects of the medicine. But he insisted that I should take all dose (28 days: it seems that this is the recommened dose for prostatitis). But with the consideration of the side effects and the possibilities of growth of another group of bacteria in my body I decided to stop using the cipro: Because the body is mine not the doctor's. If I do not take care it who else will? Special recommedation: just be very careful when choosing the antibiotics. It can do good but it can do harm too. The bad side effects could appear years later. M 38 16 days knowledge_yanama@yahoo.com
3 supposed septic bursitis of elbow dizziness, heartburn that was awful, dark stools, feeling I don't like it. F 40 9 days
3 recurrent sinusitis DEBILITATING FATIGUE! Stomach pain, rib cage pain, muscle fatigue, extreme drowsiness, weight gain. I have been so fatigued, light headed and dizzy, it has frightened me! side effects began about 4 days after beginning the prescription, will only take this again if I have no other options, since I sing professionally, I had to wipe out the sinus infection, but for nonsinger, the infection is better than the cure with cipro!!! F 41 10 days ahinson@cvcc.edu
3 Bladder Infection Weakness, nausea. I've had bladder infections before and can start to feel better after 1-2 days. I've been on this medicine for five days and feel only a little relief. I'm taking two 500mg tablets a day. I only have two tablets left and the infection is still here. I wish the doctor would have given me something better. On top of that this medicine is expensive $70 for 10 pills. I wouldn't mind paying the high price for something that worked. F 39 5 days
2 UTI Severe (though short-lived) kidney pain on second day of treatment - possibly a kidney stone or kidney infection, but haven't had either before, and no pain since that episode. Finished the 5-day course with no further problems, but no improvement in UTI symptoms. Hasn't cured the UTI. After reading this page, I'm concerned that side effects will crop up later. Think I'll ask for a non-quinolone this time. F 28 5 days
2 inflamed pinna (outer ear) bad shoulder pain and generalized pain in that area, neck pain, depression, mental fuzziness would not take it again unless there is no other option - I've been off it for three days and still have joint pain, although it's not as bad F 53 6 days
2 Prostitis The initial reaction was fatigue after one day, which was followed by light back ache and depression. I found myself lazy, sad and in a general lousy mood for the last three days. This is a potent drug which seems to work for some people, but not others. I stopped after four days and seem to be turning the corner on the side effects. The prostitis, if thats what I had, is still here. I think the dr. may have missed a muscle pull or hernia and the cipro is obviously of no benefit there. I agree with many of the comments above, be sure you need this. I will not take another one. M 39 4 days
2 UTI I took Cipro for 5 days 1000ML daily. My symptoms got worse. I had the most horrible burning inside my bladder. It did not burn when I urinated. My doctor wanted me to stay on it for 10 days there is no way I can do that. Waiting to hear if they will substitute me with something else. I just cannot take this any longer the burning pain is horrific. It also is drying my facial skin out. My face is now peeling from dryness. I do get UTI's quite often but Cipro is just to strong for me. It feels as though my bladder is raw inside. Worsens when my bladder fills. It probably is a good med for some indviduals but I am not one of them. Hope this will help someone. F 55 5 days
2 UTI After taking last of 10 day course, I experienced a sciatic nerve pain on my left leg going from hip to foot. General aches and tendon pain. Joints and tendons seem very easily injured. Not much fun. Did not completely cure infection. This occured AFTER course of treatment. Still in pain after a week. M 37 10 days
2 bladder infection Awful itchy rash on my neck and face, seems to be spreading to my back. The doctor didn't mention any side effects. He gave me free samples--hey, the price was right. And my bladder infection seems to be clearing up. But I'd think there'd be a medication without high incidence of bad side effects. I've never been allergic to a medication before. F 35 2 days
2 Sinusitis Sleeplessness and then when I did sleep - horrendous nightmares! At one point, thought I had died! F 42 10 days
2 Prostatitis Nausea, fatigue, muscle aches and depression. Mood is quite depressed and everything feels like a struggle. It is fighting the prostate infection, but the drug seems to be fighting me as well. Hard to withstand the side effects. M 55 20 days worleyf@chartertn.net
2 M 3 days
2 BLADDER INFECTION ALLERGIC REACTION. RASH ON EXTREMITIES. ON TREATMENT FOR BLADDER CANCER. CONCURRENTLY WITH CHEMOTHERAPY. I JUST FOUND OUT I COULD NOT TAKE ALMOST ANY VITAMIN OR MINERAL( OR SOME OF THEM) M 75 1 days DANNYRBARRERA@AOL.COM
2 cellulitus This antibiotic did not stop the activity of the infection. The cellulitus continued to spread resulting in a emergency hospital visit where an different antibiotic was administered thru an IV. This medication's side effect was a severe headache. M 57 3 days
2 prostatitis aching muscular pain in lower back, groin, and thighs (tendinitis) doctor confirmed that CIPRO can cause this kind of side effect M 45 10 days
2 Prostatitis Increasing problems with muscle & nerve twitching; painful joints; nevousness etc. Scary experience, took some time to figure out what caused the simptoms M 41 4 months
1 UTI tremors, muscle spasms, joint pain, chills, nervousness, insomnia, nausea and dehydration. I will never take Cipro again! I have had many tests and everything comes up normal. I was perfectly fine before taking this medication. I lost ten pounds in less than two weeks and for a length of time felt as though I could not move. I am a writer and the joint pain in my hands has caused lots of problems. Doctors act as though I'm losing my mind and making up my symptoms. I know better and I have decided to treat myself with lots of vitamins, fluids, rest and a strong desire to fight these effects. F 25 11 days
1 epidymitis long term -low back pain aching muscles in lower trunk; no recovery from athletic exercise. Ruined my life M 40 28 days
1 UTI You name it! These drugs are horrible and the worst side effects a lot more common than they let on. IF you have the bad effects, get ready for doctors to deny the cause being Cipro, and tell you there is nothing they can do anyway. Most tests are normal but the really weird ones. But it is a living HELL that just gets worse, new symptoms popping up months or YEARS later. I don't know what this drug does to people but it's devastating. If there is ANYTHING ELSE you can take, ask for it. I had racing heart, insomnia, terrifying dreams, waking nightmares, panic attacks off the charts (never before this!), incredible pain all over, weakness, extreme exhaustion, food reactions really bizarre, joints feeling like they could move backwards, achilles and other tendons burning and feeling very dry, extreme dehydration, nerve tingling/itching/buzzing. Too many almost to list! And I was healthy before. Now have symptoms almost like lupus! Which is a known effect of this type of drug (quinolones). Eye pain, metallic taste in mouth, unable to look at lights, dry eyes, dry rubbery skin, dark ropy veins appearing, it's a nightmare. Like I am now twice my age. NINE MONTHS after stopping taking the Cipro, which I only took for five days (it's happened to people after ONE pill though), I still not only have symptoms but NEW symptoms. This has killed healthy cells in my body and attacked the thyroid, also shut down ovary function totally. I was basically healthy and tests show the difference from before & after Cipro. Sky high ANA, ENA and DNA antibodies and thyroid antibodies. EXTREME confusion and brain fog. Changed moods/personality. Can't handle stress at ALL now. Can't eat most foods, just organic fruits/veggies. Anything else and the intense muscle/joint/tendon pain comes back. Latest symptom is dark ropy veins appearing all over arms and body. Also, hands turning bony, I used to have pretty hands =( It is like all my tissue is atrophying. Elbow bones sticking out far, and elbow skin sagging. Like I woke up and someone 80 yrs old had traded bodies with me. FSH went up by *120 points* from taking Cipro. Had just had it tested the week prior. This drug should be pulled entirely or ONLY given for last resorts, NOT common UTI! Doctors themselves do not know how horrible this is and there is little way to prove it, how do you prove PAIN? Bone pain so bad in the beginning I thought I would pass out. Plus, thanks to taking this I can no longer take anything, since it effects even that. I have no idea why, but it does for many people. Can no longer eat nightshade vegetables, those increase the pain. Can no longer eat most fish/meat, farmers give Baytril which is a form of CIpro, to animals. Body goes haywire in CIpro victims if they eat that stuff. NINE MONTHS of my life taken up by this, too weak to do anything but sit or lay around, I try and walk when I can. Then I have to rest a few days. Peripheral neuropathy and have had days when I could not WALK at all. Had to use wheelchair at age 42!! Scared of future. DO NOT take this stuff if you have a chance not to - ask your Dr. for another type of pill, or go the natural route, if it is not life or death. Search online for more info. The quinolones are torturous. I still cannot sleep right. Now those dark purple veins everywhere - this is just ONE LONG NIGHTMARE since Cipro. F 42 5 days
1 Prostatitis I took Cipro for 10 days with no side effects. On the morning of the 11th day I awoke with badly swollen hands and wrists and my hand joints were red and badly inflamed and very painful. I also had muscle pain in arms and elbow and shoulder joints. Since I did not have any prior problems with my hands, and did not have arthritis, the Doctor concluded that it was a side effect from Cipro. M 64 11 days
1 Bactarial Prostatitis August 2004 Brusing on legs,chest & arms. Unexplained rash which resolved and has not returned. Shooting and sharp ankle, foot and shins pain. Dull, aching chest pains. Mentally it made me feel quite goofy and depressed. Twitching in muscles of chest wall. Severe dry eyes (had to have tear duct surgery to increase tear production. Symptoms abated for approx. 3 months only to come back again recently this late February (of 2005). Presently am having severe sharp ankle and shin pains as if a knife is being ground in through my muscles and bones. Am unable to sleep due to the shooting pains that attack me at any and all times. Needless to say I'm am quite depressed over the state of my health. I had hoped that once the symptoms abated that they would resolve and never return but it seems that they are now cycling back. My neurosurgeon has diagnosed me with Polyneuropathy and said that he has seen a number of cases such as mine all resulting from taking a Floroquinolone. They are poisons that should never have been invented and should have been taken off the market years ago. But, as usual, money is a powerful incentive for those in power. M 58 5 days Feb141947@aol.com
1 UTI Severe nausea, sweating, shaking, too weak to stand Felt like I wanted to die after the second pill and was to afraid to take another, switched to another antibiotic, felt better and UTI cleared up. F 25 2 times
1 UTI Swollen, painful joints. Rash. Nausea. The greatest effect was to my knee joints. I still have some tenderness in those joints and it seems the range of motions is diminished. I usually practice yoga and had no problems with joints or sitting for long periods with my legs in Lotus position. Now this is extremely uncomfortable if not actually painful. It has been suggested that I have arthritis, however tests and xrays refute this. I doubt that arthritis comes on suddenly within 24 hours and gradually abates after the treatment ends! F 51 5 days gryphon@usa.net
1 for Bronchitis My 38 year old daughter was given Cipro (Samples) for what the Dr. said she thought was bronchitis, No sputum culture was done -- but the Dr. said my daughter should feel much better in a few days after taking Cipro. Two days later our daughter died quite suddenly and unexpectedly. She had major kidney problems -- and it as only after her death we learned individuals with kidney or liver problems should NOT take Cipro -- or only if it is the I would NEVER recommend Cipro to anyone. Doctors seem to freely dispense F 74 beejay31@cfl.rr.com
1 Prostratitis - MASSIVE sharp and throbbing joint ache and pain and possibly muscle ache. Muscle twitching and poor sleep. Neuralgia from the hips down completely covering the entire skin area (have only experienced isolated small spots of Neuralgia in the past- this is the worse leaving the skin Extremely sensitive to touch..even from pants/clothes. The ONLY relief that I have found is a 30-40 minute hot bath. I have gotten more sleep and relief from and after the bath than anything. Have had headaches, ringing in ears, light dizziness with nausea and consipation. Can barely walk by the end of the evening. Extremely tired feeling I'm pretty sure that I've experienced these exact symtoms before on cipro, however, always attributed them to whatever I was being treated for....now, in retrospect, I am positive that was I was experiencing were side effects of this drug. I am pretty sure that these symptoms mentioned here by me are very SLOW in subsiding. My advise would be to first determine if the protratitis is a result of yeast related bacteria. If not, I would advise finding an alternative method of treating it being that it will have no effect on the situation. If so, another antibiotic would be better than this one. M 37 6 days
1 UTI HIVES OVER ENTIRE BODY SIDE AFFECTS HAVE NOT SUDSIDED AFTER TWO YEARS.I WENT TO EVERY KIND OF DOCTOR I COULD FIND AND APPLIED ALL OF THE PRESCRIBED LOTIONS AND CREAMS TO NO AVAIL. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR FIX FOR MY TROUBLE BECAUSE THE MEDICAL PROFESSION HAS NONE. F 69 4 days andersonclan 31@aol.com
1 Kidney Infection Bilateral Tendinitis - could not walk for 2 months, still recovering 3 months later. F 32 4 days
1 uti; possible kidney infection By pill 4, I called my doctor to inquire into whether or not the med could be causing my SEVERE headache, severe dizziness, sweating, fever (103), chills, tingling in my hands/fingers, knee joint pain. I couldn't even concentrate enough to read a national geographic. He said I had a bad infection and that I should try and stick it out, that they hate to change meds in the middle of the prescription. I told them I couldn't stick it out. I run a business and I can even drive to get there; let alone walk around my house! So, after begging, he changed it to another med. My headache this a.m. is not so severe, temp is 98.7. Hopefully, by tomorrow I will be feeling better and actually able to function. It did help with the UTI but it's side effects are dibilitating! I will NEVER take this drug. I can't believe the doctors prescribe it. F 41 2 days
1 rash-possibly caused by a bacteria 10 minutes after taking the first pill my hands began itching and I felt funny. After about 20 minutes, huge hives appeared over my body and my head was puffy/swollen, ears numb, throat feeling funny, rushed to ER, allergic reaction caught early. I have NO allergies to anything, this is a first for me. This must be a VERY strong drug to have reaction happen almost immediately after taking the first pill. M 37 1 days
1 Respiratory infection Terrible stomach pain, bad dreams and hallucinations. I stopped taking after 2 pills. Doctor should not have prescribed this for a minor respiratory infection, in my opinion. It's a strong drug with very troubling side effects. I would NEVER take Cipro again. F 57 1 days
1 sinus infection Legs still aching after 3 years. Still walking with a cane as legs are weak. First year legs were so weak I sometimes couldn't get up, pain was beyond belief. Bayer has known this class of drugs does this since the 60's. This drug should be only used in life and death situations when all others have failed - if then. It is POISON. F 59 10 days
1 sinus infection Legs still aching after 3 years. Still walking with a cane as legs are weak. First year legs were so weak I sometimes couldn't get up, pain was beyond belief. Bayer has known this class of drugs does this since the 60's. This drug should be only used in life and death situations when all others have failed - if then. It is POISON. F 59 10 days
1 sinus infection Wanted to knock out sinus infection once and for all. Ok for first couple days, stomach a bit upset but nothing major. Third or fourth day the pretty constant light-headed tingling feeling in my head, along with headaches started occuring. Headache was all over the head, including upper neck pain. Also felt minor joint achiness and a couple very minor incidents where I felt nausea. Only thing that seemed to relieve the symptoms was drinking a TON of water and eating a lot. I was supposed to take two pills a day for 10 days, but I didn't take my last two pills. That was two days ago. This morning, I felt better, but as the day has progressed, the headache has started to come back, though not as severe. I followed all the instructions on the label perfectly, and I feel pretty messed up by this drug. M 33 9 days
1 prostate infection death My good friend of 50 years was prescribed cipro for a prostate infection. Within 24 hours of taking the drug he started feeling woozie, and fell asleep watching TV. Wife couldn't wake him. Medics say it was a heart attack. Coincidence? I don't think so. M 78 1 days relindberg
1 After routine appendectomy I felt absolutely AWFUL! The WORST I have ever felt in my life. I was crawling out of my skin. I forced myself to puke, stopped taking it (threw it into the toilet, actually), and 24 hours later I felt more-or-less normal. This is poison. I wouldn't give it to a dying dog. Why is this CRAPPO even on the market? We all know the anthrax scare was a fraud, and this garbage is associated with it. Why? There are many other antibiotics I could have been given - even assuming I needed one at all. So why CRAPPO? They put me on a drip of CRAPPO in the hospital - and even through the *morphene drip*, I could feel the M 56 2 days raavenwing@yahoo.com
1 Peritonitis/ruptured appendix ANAPHYLAXIS I had just been release from the hospital where I had been on 5 days of intrevenous Flagyl, Gentromyicin and Amoxicillan for a ruptured appendix and peritonitis. I was also given a steroid upon release with a prescription for Cipro. Not sure if reaction was drug interaction or allergic. Within 10 minutes of taking first pill, I started to break out in hives. By the time the ambulance arrived, my entire body was bright red, I was halucinating and delirious, having trouble breathing, my blood pressure had dropped dramatically, and basically remember very little on the way to the hospital except thinking F 39 1 days
1 UTI Heart pounding, tingling feeling, and horrible stomach cramps by day 2. Insurance does not even cover this drug as of last year...Wonder why? The cost was still over $40 out of pocket for 1 weeks worth . Thank goodness for this site--I will stop taking the drug immediately!! F 31 2 days
1 Recurring UTI Infection Shooting pain in my thighs, knees, hips. Stiffness and pain in my calves. Muscle spasms all over my body especially in my legs. Sharp pains in my stomach, under my ribs, in my chest. Gas, diarrhea, empty feeling in my stomach. Loss of appetite, dizziness, severe fatigue, unable to focus, anxiety, sleeplessness. The side effects did more damage than the UTI itself. This stuff is 100% PURE EVIL. You couldn't pay me enough to take this poison again!!! I am also allergic to Macrobid. I had a severe reaction with hives, trembling, the whole nine yards. I cannot believe that the doctors prescribed Cipro to me knowing what the Macrobid did. Both experiences have made me lose faith in Western medicine. Once I can figure out how to detox, I will seek out herbal remedies for my UTI's from now on. I just hope I don't develop any permanent problems from this episode. F 27 3 days sunshinegirl77@hotmail.com
1 UTI Infection Feelings of fear and panic. Mild pain in chest. Slightly numb and weak legs at night more than a week after taking Cipro. I always sleep on an arm and subconciously do more so to protect myself from the UTI discomfort. Now wake up feeling like my arms are about to fall off they get so numb. Also have a metallic blood like taste in my mouth at nights. The first doctor I went to did not diagnose a UTI infection despite severe pain in my right groin. On a second visit she finally thought to take a urine sample (but did not think to send it to the lab!) and prescribed Cipro. I visited another doctor who was very surprised this had be prescribed as a first resort as according to her Trimethaprim would usually be the first choice. This UTI infection is still not clear. F 41 5 days
1 kidney infection I only took the medication for 48 hours due to severe reaction. The blood vessels in my outer thighs burst and made an apppearance to that of a tiger attack. Looked like long scratches all up and down my legs. Dr. found no other explanation than a reacation to Cipro (+) infection was not subsiding - still had fever and blood and urine, so changed my meds to Macrobid. Wish me luck. F 37 2 days
1 possible prostatitis Severe muscle, joint, and even skin pain (even hurts to be touched at times). Pain occurs in many different areas of my body. Most severe in my lower back, thighs, buttocks, and sometimes in my thighs. Also get headaches, tingling, itching and burning sensations. Sometimes I break out in a sweat. The pain is so bad at times that despite pain medication, I can't sleep. I've seen my Family Practice Doc, then a Rheumatologist, Infectous Disease Doc., Chinese Medicine Doctor, Homeopathic MD and I'm scheduled to see a Chiropractor and Pain MD. Hot mineral baths help, sometimes light massage helps and pain medicines. M 48 5 days fjsimbana@hotmail.com
1 blurred vision, eye floaters, photophobia, double vision, sonophobia, depersonalization, anxiety, mental confusion, intense dread, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, joint pain in knees, hips, ankles, fingers, neck, back, shoulders, elbows; limping, need to use a cane for a month, unable to stand and bear weight in knees and ankles, unable to walk at times, extreme burning all over body, pulsating throbbing pains in legs...This drug is a timebomb and ravaged my young athletic body...was a healthy runner before this, now I walk around in constant pain and debility trying to regain my life...These toxic adverse reactions have lasted for more than two years after completing a prescription...They have ruined my life and turned me into an old man at 31....Re-read my post 5-10 times and let it sink in--if you are thinking of taking these drugs...it is not worth having your life robbed out from under you...and with no one to account for the damage inflicted...AVOID CIPRO if you love your eyes, joints, body, etc....my eyes and joints are so damaged 2 years later...And these adverse reactions happen more than 1% of the time...probably upwards of 60%...many times people do not realize they are even having an adverse reaction to a cipro drug because the symptoms can show up weeks, months, and even years later; so people do not correlate their symptoms to the TOXIC prescription...BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE MY LIFE BACK, MY EYES BACK TO NORMAL, MY JOINTS BACK...Think many times before ever letting this poison past your lips!!!!!!!!!! The fluoroquinolones (cipro, levaquin, Tequin, floxin, Factive, Avelox, Norfloxacin) are powerful chemo-therapeutic antibiotics...neurotoxic, chondro-toxic...toxic to the joints, eyes, nervous system...They are very potent drugs and can radically destroy your life in a matter of weeks...These drugs ruin lives around the world...do not take them, do not take them...Any moral legitimate doctor should NEVER ever prescribe these toxic pills...and any doctor who does is in need of being asked to try a month dosage themselves and see how their joints, eyes, etc... are after cessation of therapy...toxic adverse reactions can develop up to 18 months after completing a prescription...elusive poison...they recall defective tires and toys...CIPRO should be banned...it is a horribly toxic drug belonging to the Fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics (Cipro, Levaquin, Floxin, Tequin, Norfloxacin, Avelox, etc...) BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...These drugs are a modern pharmaceutical FRAUD and SCAM... M 31 30 days
1 blurred vision, eye floaters, photophobia, double vision, sonophobia, depersonalization, anxiety, mental confusion, intense dread, bilateral Achilles tendonitis, joint pain in knees, hips, ankles, fingers, neck, back, shoulders, elbows; limping, need to use a cane for a month, unable to stand and bear weight in knees and ankles, unable to walk at times, extreme burning all over body, pulsating throbbing pains in legs...This drug is a timebomb and ravaged my young athletic body...was a healthy runner before this, now I walk around in constant pain and debility trying to regain my life...These toxic adverse reactions have lasted for more than two years after completing a prescription...They have ruined my life and turned me into an old man at 31....Re-read my post 5-10 times and let it sink in--if you are thinking of taking these drugs...it is not worth having your life robbed out from under you...and with no one to account for the damage inflicted...AVOID CIPRO if you love your eyes, joints, body, etc....my eyes and joints are so damaged 2 years later...And these adverse reactions happen more than 1% of the time...probably upwards of 60%...many times people do not realize they are even having an adverse reaction to a cipro drug because the symptoms can show up weeks, months, and even years later; so people do not correlate their symptoms to the TOXIC prescription...BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE MY LIFE BACK, MY EYES BACK TO NORMAL, MY JOINTS BACK...Think many times before ever letting this poison past your lips!!!!!!!!!! The fluoroquinolones (cipro, levaquin, Tequin, floxin, Factive, Avelox, Norfloxacin) are powerful chemo-therapeutic antibiotics...neurotoxic, chondro-toxic...toxic to the joints, eyes, nervous system...They are very potent drugs and can radically destroy your life in a matter of weeks...These drugs ruin lives around the world...do not take them, do not take them...Any moral legitimate doctor should NEVER ever prescribe these toxic pills...and any doctor who does is in need of being asked to try a month dosage themselves and see how their joints, eyes, etc... are after cessation of therapy...toxic adverse reactions can develop up to 18 months after completing a prescription...elusive poison...they recall defective tires and toys...CIPRO should be banned...it is a horribly toxic drug belonging to the Fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics (Cipro, Levaquin, Floxin, Tequin, Norfloxacin, Avelox, etc...) BUYER BEWARE...SWALLOW AT YOUR OWN RISK...These drugs are a modern pharmaceutical FRAUD and SCAM... M 31 30 days
1 Prostatitis severe aching in wrist,ankle and knee joints; numbness in fingers and toes Also-Nausea throughout the course of taking this stuff ----active and work out on regular basis--seems to have made pain worse while taking this garbage. Will side effects go away? M 48 7 weeks
1 urinary tract infection Severe muscle/tendon pain in left hip region. Actually went to the emergency room. After X-rays and MRI, confimed no fractures in hip or leg. Doctor then changed my medication and symptoms cleared up within 24-hours. If you start experiencing severe joint/tendon problems after taking this drug, seek medication attention. Take the information sheet with you that lists the possible side effects for Doctors that don't believe you could experience this kind of pain after only 2 pills. F 40 1 days
1 urinary tract infection Severe muscle/tendon pain in left hip region. Actually went to the emergency room. After X-rays and MRI, confimed no fractures in hip or leg. Doctor then changed my medication and symptoms cleared up within 24-hours. If you start experiencing severe joint/tendon problems after taking this drug, seek medication attention. Take the information sheet with you that lists the possible side effects for Doctors that don't believe you could experience this kind of pain after only 2 pills. F 40 1 days
1 Ureteral Cancer Vomiting, tingling in hands & feet, felt like electricity going thur my entire body. depression, hallucinations, psychotic, excessive urination, blisters inside my mouth and on my tongue. Did not go to sleep for 3 nights. Restlessness, nervousness, rash Called Dr when I fainted and had seizure he said was not meds. I thought it was from surgery. Went to anoter DR who confirmed symptoms was from cipro.NEVER, NEVER TAKE THIS IT IS WORSE THAN POSION. MUCH WORSE THE CANCER & SURGERY. F 62 6 days donandwan@insightbb.com
1 diverticulitis/colitis, UTI Mental hallucination/paranoid thoughts, bizarre images in mind from nowhere, extreme joint and tendon pain, muscle pain and cramping, can hardly walk, rubbery legs, pain and pressure in skull, itching on skin, extreme anxiety and doom feeling, extreme depression, sobbing, extreme panic attacks, feeling like I am going insane, sleeplessness, no appetite, feeling of misery, dehydrated feeling, malaise, feel like I am no longer Dr forced me to take this by saying he would not Rx a substitute and also that I had an infection that would spread. That turned not to even be the case. After one day the mental symptoms started and the sleeplessness etc. When the physical symptoms started I finally realised with horror that what my doctor said was not true - Doctors try to tell you these things do not happen to people. Well read this page and other pages - THEY DO happen to people. If I had known not only do the side effects happen to lots of people but also they STAY THAT WAY I would have thrown away these pills. If your Dr. would not give you another pill get another Dr. is my advice, if he'd given me another type of drug I'd be fine now instead of in constant agony mentally and physically. Maybe I can save someone else from this HELL on earth. OH and it did not help me AT ALL with my original complaints either. Only after I finally got another Dr to switch me to another type of antibiotic did those start to get better. This drug is evil and it is poison, it was made for strange germs and as a last ditch effort, NOT to be given out like candy. Do doctors get kickbacks for Rxing this lethal drug ?? Shame on them all. F 40 5 days
1 diverticulitis/colitis, UTI Mental hallucination/paranoid thoughts, bizarre images in mind from nowhere, extreme joint and tendon pain, muscle pain and cramping, can hardly walk, rubbery legs, pain and pressure in skull, itching on skin, extreme anxiety and doom feeling, extreme depression, sobbing, extreme panic attacks, feeling like I am going insane, sleeplessness, no appetite, feeling of misery, dehydrated feeling, malaise, feel like I am no longer Dr forced me to take this by saying he would not Rx a substitute and also that I had an infection that would spread. That turned not to even be the case. After one day the mental symptoms started and the sleeplessness etc. When the physical symptoms started I finally realised with horror that what my doctor said was not true - Doctors try to tell you these things do not happen to people. Well read this page and other pages - THEY DO happen to people. If I had known not only do the side effects happen to lots of people but also they STAY THAT WAY I would have thrown away these pills. If your Dr. would not give you another pill get another Dr. is my advice, if he'd given me another type of drug I'd be fine now instead of in constant agony mentally and physically. Maybe I can save someone else from this HELL on earth. OH and it did not help me AT ALL with my original complaints either. Only after I finally got another Dr to switch me to another type of antibiotic did those start to get better. This drug is evil and it is poison, it was made for strange germs and as a last ditch effort, NOT to be given out like candy. Do doctors get kickbacks for Rxing this lethal drug ?? Shame on them all. F 40 5 days
1 urinary tract infection severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweating heavily, nausea will never take again, was sicker from the meds than the uti F 50 14 days m.featherstone@talkamerica.net
1 Urinary tract infection severe chest & neck pain, tingling in arms, extreme fatigue & weakness, sharp abdominal cramping I started feeling these horrible side-effects within the first day of taking Cipro. I went to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER docs said my heart was fine, and that I must have a case of gastritis, and to keep taking the Cipro to clear up the UTI. They did not recognize that I was having an allergic reaction to the Cipro! Needless to say, I was back in the ER the very next day with even more severe chest pain that spread to my neck and down my arms. A week later, I still have some chest pain, shooting pains all over my body, and tingling in my arms. I will NEVER take this drug again. F 24 3 days nancybohall@email.com
1 prostatitis constant nausea, burning in stomach joint ache in all joints worst i have ever felt in my life. have been off cipro for 6 months and the joint pain has not diminished. i am not the same man i was before taking the drug M 58 14 days
1 Urinary tract infection malaise,severe rib cage pain,insomnia,blurred vision,rash,muscle and join pain and weakness,chills,loss of appetite It did cure the uti, but I would never again subject my body to such severe and disabling side effects. F 74 7 days
1 prostatitis During: mild tinnitus, oversensitivity towards sounds After: (5 weeks after ending course): severe, disabling joint pain (both knees and hips). After 1 Year not much improvement. Sensitive to smells ( mild MCS>>multiple chemical sensitivity) Might need artificial joints at the age of 23! Advice to everyone: Do NEVER take Cipro (or Tequin, or Levaquin, or Floxin, Factive) UNLESS you are on the brink of dying. Quinolones cause damage to joint cartilage ( in adults and kids). This drug has ruined my life. M 23 14 days unitedvisions@gmx.ch
1 sinusitis Bizarre almost psychotic mental confusion. Called an all night pharmacy with the 2 or 3 still functioning brain cells. Pharmacist told me to STOP taking it & read me the list of side effects. This drug is horrible and scary.I stopped after the second pill. Never again. And never experienced anything like it with any other meds. F 51 1 days vls810@aol.com
1 UTI dizzyness, numb lips, severe rash on hands and forehead, confusion, rapid heartbeat and vomiting Just horrible almost had to go to the ER and it turned out I didn't even have a bacterial infection anyways. Took about 4 days before the symptoms went away. My cardio fitness still hasn't recovered and I stopped taking it 2 months ago. Walking up a flight of stairs almost kills me now M 4 days
1 Kidney infection Tingling in fingers and toes. Chills and fever 18 hours a day. Mild joint pain. Rash on 10th(last)day. Physician didn't think I was allergic until the rash appeared. I write this on the 10th day...I'll see what happens. M 42 10 days boblissa@adelphia.net
1 urinary tract infection Severe joint and muscle pains especially in lower back and thigh which began two weeks after treatment and have lasted more than two weeks after. Hurts to walk, to sit , stand, move. Also in knees and neck. Urinary tract infection appears to have cleared though. I would seek a safer alternative if I had known this could happen. Read that it destroys cartilege in weigh bearing joints. M 60 5 days blitzknitz@mindspring.com
1 Food Poison My father (94) was prescribed CIPLOX in India. Within two days, he developed symptoms like heart attack. The doctors there could not identify this as a reaction. Instead, they put him on several heart medications. When this caused his prostate problems to worsen, they prescribed a tube and Levoday (another quinolone family). Within a week, he died due to Kidney failure. Doctors in India have no clue about the potency of the drugs, their reactions, proper doses, etc. M 94 3 days
1 Sinus Infection nausea, vomiting, severe joint pain It was the worst experience of my life. I had to go to the ER to get medicine for the pain in my joints. F 32 4 days
1 bladder infection Did not work!!!My body did not respond to this antibiotic F 31 10 days
1 Urethritis Severe joint pains and muscle aches; burning sensations in forearms and joints; weakness in arms; pressure and pain in ears; brain fog; feelings of anxiety; insomnia; lack of energy and fatigue. After over one year the joint pains, burning sensations and pressure in ears all contiune. It has been a year of hell. This drug is poision. If prescribed this drug insist on a safer alternative. See http://www.drugvictims.org/ for more information about the dangers of Cipro and other quinolone antibiotics. M 7 days
1 Chest Infection Swollen Tongue and Lips and joint pain - stopped after taking one tablet Beware - read all the information on the leaflet enclosed. F 37 1 days noreen.osborn@ntlworld.com
1 DIVITICULITIS/URINARY TRACT INFECTI iT was pr;escribed for my mother-in-law by a doctor who would not even test her urine or her blood or for an impaction. She is now in a step down from critical care---every thing about her failed--we still dont know if she will live. Her allegies to this drug were well documented in her chart. the symptoms started the second day--the doctor completely ignored the symptoms. It happened that Mother had an impaction and a fleets enema would have cured her. F 86 5 days s1935@aol.com
1 Gastro Infections Nausea, extremely tired, confussion of thoughts, worsened diarrhea, joint aches and mucsle pains, upper back-- rib cage pain. This medicine was given to me by the doc to treat gastro problems that had occured for 7 days. I was in bed or on the couch for a month barely able to get up to go to the bathroom, dehydrated and in a lot of joint and muscel pain. I developed a CMV Gastroenteritis infection and an inability to produce the enzymns needed to break down milk/dairy products. NEVER take this medicine-- it is worse then whatever your illness! F 30 7 days
1 urininary tract infection severe bilateral tendinitis; Residual muscle pain and weakness--is the latter a side effect? F 6 weeks
1 Kidney infection Took Cipro for two weeks in 1992(one week i.v./one week by pill). Now I experience Myoclonic seizures (jerky spasms) unless I take phenobarbitol once a day. F 32 2 weeks Toria@remaxhorizons.com
1 urinary infection joint pain and achiness. The cure is worse than the disease! Be careful about taking this medication. F 64 2 days
1 Post surgical anti-biotic Mental hallucinations. Uneasy feeling. Physical balance offset. After telling the Doc of these reactions, he discounted them as if to claim it was "just me". Oh contraire, I talked to a pharmacist who brought me the PDR insert which paralleled all my side effects. I would not recommend anyone to take this drug. I've encountered others who have had various negative experiences. This is the first drug, in my history, I upfront say I'm allergic to! F 50 ttexas01@lycos.com
Levaquin Side Effects as reported on Ask A Patient (June 2005)
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20635&name=LEVAQUIN
5 sinus infection Very satisfied because it cleared up the sinus infection in five days but will NEVER take again due to the mental side effects. It felt like an acid trip! I had thoughts of hurting myself and felt the urge to run to accomodate the jitteriness I was feeling. Will not be taking this antibiotic again. I would have rather broke out in hives then feel like that! BEWARE OF THIS DRUG... F 29 5 days
4 Bladder Infection Terrible headache, flushed feeling in face, ache in knees, nervousness..feeling of flu symptoms It did help clear up my symptoms of the bladder infection but very powerful drug with horrible side effects. Not sure I will take this again! F 47 2 days
4 sinus infection/bronchitis Insomnia and increased energy (caffeine like). Took me a good two hours to fall asleep every night while on this medication. Took Tylenol PM to help with the insomnia and eventually that helped to put me to sleep. F 29 5 days
4 sinus infection I'd like to add a few comments more to the ones I already listed, which were nervousness and insomnia. After day 3 at 750 mg/day, I awoke with a splitting headache, weak and sick and with difficulty breathing. I kept twitching in bed the night before, and I had such trouble sleeping I thought about suicide and that's NOT me! I was seeing whitish flashes in my peripheral vision with eyes closed. On reflection, I think this is a very dangerous drug of last resort and shouldn't be given to people for things like sinus infections. If you have even the slightest trouble with this drug of the nervous type, ditch it now. Don't let your doctor ignore you. It's not a safe drug I am going to tell people to stay away from it. F 50 3 days
4 sinus infection Terrible insomnia. Racing thoughts, active mind, irritable and depressed, though the lack of sleep probably caused that, not necessarily the Levaquin. Secondarily, slight nausea an hour or so after taking. Only took three of the five doses, having figured out why I wasn't sleeping. I have chronic pain and can't stand the sleeplessness on top of everything else. I think it works well on the infection. My sinus symptoms were mostly better after day 3. If it doesn't make you stay up all night it's a pretty good antibiotic. F 50 3 days
4 chronic sinusitis Experienced joint pain in hands, hips, knees and feet. Sinusitis is improved. F 41 30 days daflip24@msn.com
4 Bronchitis, Pnumonia Severe stomach cramps and diaharrea after third day. Also experienced extreme itching on entire upper body and mild rash on face. M 39 6 days
4 kidney infection weird neuropathy on face and head. had very achey calfs/shins a day after finishing the 3 day supply. overall feel lousy, anxious, headaches, eye twitches. i had a bad reaction to cipro with similar effects two years ago. forgot how bad it was. won't take these types of antibiotics ever again!:( M 41 3 days go595@cs.com
4 Chronic UTI Insomnia for first 5 days. Dizziness. Difficulty concentrating. Felt strange in general. It did work on the infection. I could feel my bladder healing. I just wish the side effects weren't so bad. F 47 21 days
4 pneumonia Foggy thinking, muscle pains, joint pain, sweats, insomnia, rapid weight gain, weakness, numbness of feet & arms, headaches. I have not taken it for 7 months and my hands are still going numb. At first my arms were VERY weak and would go completely numb up to my shoulders. I gained over 30 pounds within a month after I finished the dosage. I have always weighed between 120 to 130 without dieting. I got up to 163 before it started coming off. Almost back to normal now without any changes to my diet. F 54 10 days ritainmendo@yahoo.com
4 bronchitis irritability/nervousness, sleeplessness I've been on 750mg/day for the past 2 days & already, I can't sleep. I've got bags under my eyes & my mind is racing. The only way that I've found to be able to sleep is to stay doped up on benadryl. Don't know if I'd opt for the higher dossage in the future. M 36 5 days rob2oc@yahoo.com
3 Chronic Sinusitis / Had Surgery Swelling and pain in ankles sometimes so sore it was hard to walk. Overall body pain like I had the flu. Pain in shoulder and some chest pains. Also have experienced twitching under eye and on eyelids. I have been sick since November 2004 and it is now May 2005. I had sinus surgery in March 2005 and have been on Levaquin since February 2005 and I just can't quite seem to get rid of the infection in my head. Prior to taking this I was was taking Augmentin. I first started with Zithromax and then onto a Penicillin injection, then augmentin, more augmentin, levaquin. I'm just about at whits end wondering how I'm going to get rid of the infection. After reading what I have read about the side effects of this drug I will ask the Dr. to give me something else rather than refilling the levaquin. F 39 3 months
3 Sinus Infection Severe Depression with thoughts of suicide. Panic attacks that woke me from sound sleep. Dizziness, knee pain, mouth tastes odd and also my teeth hurt...all of them...more than my joint pain. Eyes are also reacting as things appear fuzzy. Have taken this before with no problem. Do not know why this happened and I can only hope it goes away quickly. Also wish I had found this board before I took last nights dose. F 51 4 days
3 Infectious Colitis Where can I begin...by 3rd day via IV - anxious, apprehensive, irritable, very cold finger tips, feet, knee caps; plus extreme mental distress including terrifying visions with eyes closed (while trying to fall asleep), tremors in my face, woke up in a pool of sweat, vivid nightmares, headache, heart racing, hearing things not there, metal taste in mouth, clenched jaw, overpowering sense of smell, wrist pain and joint pain. Eased symptoms on my colitis so far but will be requesting a change to a different antibiotic today! M 38 3 days
3 UTI burning flank pain, dizziness, metal taste in mouth, leg and groin pain, hot flashes, feeling real cold to the bone, headache,wrist pain, high blood pressure, fast heartrate, insomnia, just foggy mentally. F 31 7 days
3 outer ear infection severe insomnia, racing thoughts... was told to take the drug before I went to bed. I don't recommend that I had an ear infection, and it helped to clear it up. M 30 7 days
3 Sinus Infection Rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, bloated, slight dizziness and I'm only on day three. The rapid heartbeat is definitely the worst part. If this continues much more, I'll stop taking the drug. M 35 3 days
3 Bronchitis Sleeplessness, Nervousness, Jittery. Felt overly emotional at times and mentally unalert. Fast heartbeat, hard time breathing - of course this may be from bronchitis not the drug. Stopped taking after only 3 days of a 10 day prescription. Overall, I think it is a very powerful drug. It did help with my bronchitis symptoms a bit, but too many side effects for me to handle. I would only recommend to people that have not gotten better by taking other antibiotics first. It's also very expensive. F 29 3 days
3 Sinusitis Knocked out Sinus infection but Blood in stool - day 5 - stopping M 31 5 days
3 Sinus Infection/disease Oh my God, at first I thought I was having a heart attack, then last night it dawned on me that it could be related to the Levaquin. Now, I am almost sure from reading this. Arm pain, shoulder pain, knee, pain, shin pain, hip pain, neck pain..... numbness, pins and needles. Works to clear up the sinus, but then it comes back just after I stop. I can't believe it took so long to feel this way, with the amount of time I have been on it and the strength; I should win a prize or something! Ten weeks on 750 mg! F 38 10 weeks marthapark@comcast.net
3 Prostate infection Pain in my knees !!! I'm on the 4th day after completing a 14 day round,and the pain hasn't lessened any at all. It hurts to walk,and really is painful attempting to stand up. Worked on the prostate infection,....but no intentions of EVER taking again. M 60 2 weeks
3 sinus infection and bronchitis diarrhea, bloated feeling in abdomen, mucus in stool (which can happen to me anytime but especially during a levaquin course), my weak knee got even weaker, Take it only if there is no alternative; It is powerful but can cause some nasty side effects. F 38 10 days
3 infection in leg surgical site Intense leg/knee pain to the extent that I was not able to even kick off the covers when getting out of bed. Walking and climbing stairs was awful. At first, I thought that my pain was related to the injury but soon realized it was both legs with the F 56 10 days
3 UTI insomnia, stomach pain F 41 5 days linda_halifax@msn.com
2 Kidney Infection Nausea, dry mouth, cramps... nothing serious. Levaquin did not clear up my kidney infection after 2 regimens. Actually, it may have added to the blood in my urine. Although I did not have any serious side effects, the medicine only made my infection worse. Because the bacteria were being treated with antibiotics, they mutated and became more resistant- caused more of a headache later. I still have traces of the infection. Please be wary when taking this medicine for kidney/urinary tract infections. F 18 2 weeks
2 UTI Slept well at night, but sleepy during the day. No big deal though. 3 day course did not work for my UTI. F 25 3 days
2 Kidney/Bladder infection Have had to deal with almost constant headache, sleeplessness (really tired), leg and joint pain (difficulty walking)and leg muscle jerk/tremors. Have had headaches in the past, but the rest of this is in no way normal for me. This stuff worked, seemed to be almost immediate relief from a very severe infection, however, it's going to take a lot to convince me to ever take this drug again. Will finish the 7 day 500 mg dose since only have one day left, but, that's IT !!!!! M 62 6 days
2 cough/6weeks First night, jittery and unable to sleep,next 6 days... sore/flu-like feeling, nausea, headache,tired, legs hurt, tightness in chest...but the cough stopped! I'm sticking with it, this is day 7 of 10 @ 500mg. Really want to feel better...but will call doc after reading other's symptoms, maybe I shouldn't tough it out!:( F 43 7 days
2 Sinus Infection Insomnia, Hot Flashes, Cold Sweats, Anxiety Attacks, Depression I am so messed up on this medicine that I'm up at 2:00 am searching the web for information on side effects. Found this site & was shocked to see how many other people are having the same reactions. I thought I was going out of my head. I'm quitting this medicine!! F 36 7 days
2 sinus infection 500mg once a day brought on nervousness, indigestion, rapid heartbeat, and increased respirations about an hour after taking it. The side of the pill bottle warned that it could cause drowsiness so I took my first dose before bed. BIG MISTAKE! I finally got to sleep six hours after taking it! All of the above I can deal with since it wiped out the sinus infection but the dose I took two days ago made me feel mentally insane! I had some weird thoughts that sent me into an emotional meltdown. I felt completely depressed and even thought about suicide! No more for me! That's the warning they should tape on the side of the pill bottle! Or how about the doctors? Shouldn't they give you a heads up on the I would have rated Levaquin a 4 or 5 because aside from the mental side effects, it just felt like you would feel after drinking a double espresso, only for six hours. I guess that's it's half life. F 29 5 days
2 sinus infection Nervousness, indigestion, rapid heartbeat, and increased respirations about an hour after taking it. The side of the pill bottle warned that it could cause drowsiness so I took my first dose before bed. BIG MISTAKE! I also had some weird thoughts that sent me into an emotional meltdown. I felt completely depressed and even thought about suicide! No more for me! That's the warning they should tape on the side of the pill bottle! Or how about the doctors? Shouldn't they give you a heads up on the I would have rated Levaquin a 4 or 5 because aside from the mental side effects, it just felt like you would feel after drinking a double espresso, only for six hours. I guess that's it's half life. F 29 5 days
2 Massive Sinus Infection Sore joints. Uber-sore ankle tendons. Sore stomach. Pretty much made me sore all over, except in my Sinus, Levaquin fixed the infection and good! I would save this drug as a last ditch option to save your life from some super nasty bug. Lay off it for anything else. Do not run or work out while taking it as you could injure yourself. The tendon in your ankle can really get to stinging while taking. Side effects went away completely after a few weeks. Again, side effects went AWAY after some time, so don't panic if you have downed a bunch of it and are sore. M 35 10 days jloucks@hotmail.com
2 sinus infection terrible yeast infection F 20 10 days
2 UTI Severe insomnia. I slept only two hours the first night, and four hours last night. Oddly enough, the pain in my bladder has not gone away after two doses. I only have one dose left. If I can stand the sleeplessness one more night, I hope it works F 33
2 UTI severe sleeplessness, strange chills during the night alternating with hot flashes, dry mouth and throat F 33 3 days
2 sinus infection i felt very dizzy about 1 hour after taking a 500mg dose of this medicine. i had sleeplessness during the night and was even awoken one night because I felt like I was choking in my sleep (not able to swallow, mouth felt numb. Heartbeat was irregular. My infection is a little better, but not really. With side effects like these, it should clear up an infection immediately but I am not feeling 100% better For a sinus infection, I would not take this. There are better medicine out there that work faster and have no side effects. Z-PAK IS BETTER F 26 3 days
2 sinus infection I took it twice (500 mg/day)and on the second day developed intense pain in my back and neck that radiated down into my arm. It did help with the sinus infection but I am in a good deal of pain. M 34 2 days
2 Sinus Infection 12th day dizziness, bad calf cramps w/ no reason. Odd panicky feeling. Helped Sinus issue, but other symptoms are disturbing. M 49 12 days
2 for sinus infection lightheadedness, heart pounding, nervousness, loss of concemtration This was not worth getting rid of my sinus infection, I have been off of it for two days and the last 6 days has been increasingly worse. My heart won't stop pounding (not fast, just hard), I can't concentrate, I feel a constant nervousness/heaviness in my chest. M 29 19 days sully4545@hotmail.com
2 sinus infection very confused thinking when falling asleep the first night; some queasiness the first couple days; very sore hip joint starting on Day #3 and continuing even now that I am done with the medicine. I took 750 mg. for two days, & 500 mg. for 5 days. Called dr. after 4 doses because of hip joint pain. He said he didn't feel it was related to the drug and to finish the course of medicine. Three days after the final dose, my hip hurts as much as ever, if not more so. I'm also experiencing some soreness in my jawbone. Although it worked great on getting rid of the sinus infection, I would not take this drug again. I would insist on Zithromax or something from another class of drugs. I am hopeful the joint pain will go away soon, but have no guarantee that it will which is scary. F 50 7 days
2 kidney infection-resistant e coli The first time I took Levaquin, it worked well and I had no side effects. The second time, however, joint pain and muscle weakness started on about the tenth day. I took it for a total of 14 days. I have been off of it for six days now, but the pain comes and goes. I have also had edema in my ankles and cramping and weakness in the front of my thighs. The left side is much worse than the right. I took this drug for a resistant e coli infection. If there is anything else that will work, I would not take it again. I think I would take a drug that I am allergic to, and get treated for the allergy than take Levaquin or any other fluoroquinolone again. I do not think it should be removed from the market, since it works where many other antibiotics fail, but I do think it should be prescribed with great caution and only as a last resort. F 59 14 days txthyroid@yahoo.com
2 cellulitis drug induced lupus,serious,painful feminine itching episodes,intense joint pain while taking medication F 46 8 days
2 UTI extreme fatigue while on the drug. three weeks after taking the drug i am experiencing severe pain in my wrists and ankles and have gained 12 pounds, although my diet is the same as it always has been. i will not take this again. i'm allergic to sulfa drugs, so i think that is why levaquin was prescribed. but now that i'm not taking it i'm gaining weight for no reason and i am in pain. this is terrible. F 38 3 days
2 Infection Tightness in chest, rapid heart rate, sleeplessness & achy joints. Called my doctor and ordered me to stop taking medication immediately. Per the pharmacist I was having an allergic reaction to this medication. F 37 3 days
2 Possible ear infection Swollen and achey joints. F 53 4 days
2 severe laceration dizziness and nausea. vomited once. taking with food did not help much. felt very out of it. very expensive. F 32 7 days
2 ear infection diarrhea F 24 2 weeks
1 FEVER AND RESPIRATORY INFECTION EXTREME HEADACHE, SWELLING TO THE LOWER EXTREMITES, A RASH TO THE LOWER EXTREMTIES THAT WAS BRIGHT RED AND ITCHY, PAIN TO THE JOINTS, INSOMNIA, IRRATABILITY, NUMBNESS TO THE FINGERS AND TOES, RACING HEARTRATE, SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND TIGHTNESS IN THE THROAT. IT TOOK SEVERAL DOSES OF EPI AND PREDNISONE FOR SIX DAYS AND THE RASH AND SYMTOMS STARTED TO GO AWAY BUT ONCE THE PREDNISONE WAS DONE THE RASH REOCCURED. JUST FINISHED A SECOND WEEK OF PREDNISONE AND CLARITIN AND FOUR DOES OF ADRENALINE. I HOPE THIS TIME THE CURE FOR THE CURE WORKS. STILL HAVE NERVOUSNESS AND NUMBNESS TO THE FINGERS AND TOES AND MILD SWELLING TO THE LOWER EXTREMITES. I ALSO AM A NURSE AND STOPPED THE DRUG THE MINUTE THE RASH OCCURED. I TOOK BENADRYL TILL I COULD SEE A DOCTOR. I DON'T RECOMEND THIS DRUG AFTER READING SIMULAR PROBLEMS. I THINK THAT THE PATIENT SHOULD BE AWARE OF ALL SIDE EFFECTS. THIS IS NOT GIVEN WHEN THE DRUG IS DISPENCED. F 47 3 days
1 Boils & Carbuncles Chest pains and abdominal pain and pain in the legs The health risk associated with this drug are not worth it, from my personal experience this drug should be banned. M 37 14 days w.m.turner@juno.com
1 Staph Infection from careless dr extreme anxiety, depression, itching, groin rash initially. 2-3 months=Sunburn-like face weekly. 5-7 months later= hip and back pain, tendon pain, muscle cramps. I'm 35, yet feel like 70 since I was given the drug (without approval). Absolutely the worst poison ever made. M 35 8 weeks cblomquist@yahoo.com
1 uti After 3rd night of taking 500 mg, I woke up at 3:00 in the morning, felt all over sick, faint, irregular heartbeat, dry mouth and couldn't swallow. I felt like the muscles in my throat didn't work. This sick feeling lasted about 1/2 hr. I was ready to go to the hospital, I thought I was going to choke. I have never had any reactions to antibiotics before this and I will NEVER take this drug again. F 57 3 days
1 UTI Hives all over my body, extreme cramps, diarrhea, calf cramping, nightmares or restless sleep, confusion, depression, muscle ache, weight gain. I took this medication before but didnt realize that the reactions I was having was from this. I was having twitching muscles, calf cramps, confusion, weight gain, muscle pain, nightmares, depression but no hives. The second time around I now have hives and am suffering with everything. The pharmacist instructed me to stop taking the meds. F 30 3 days
1 fistula racing heart, insomnia, blurred vision, joint pain, light headedness, cold hands and feet, chest pain I only took one pill, i have a two-week supply left but i will never take this drug again! i had all those side effects within a 24 hour period. F 24 1 days
1 Severe Otitis Media and Sinusitis Extreme pain in the shoulder, hand (swelling of thumb joint), elbow, and knee on right side. Forgetfulness, the creepy-crawlies, fatigue during the day, inability to sleep at night, and a dotty rash across my chest and neck. It did NOT help my ear or sinus infection. If you experience ANY issues, CALL YOUR DOCTOR!! F 18 10 days
1 Sick for 2 + mos Flu like symptom Didn't sleep first dose (750mg.for 5 days)- only about an hour the first night. Woke up afraid, paranoid. Thoughts that someone was in the house while I was showering. Extreme headache. Slept a little more the next night. Constant feeling of being over medicated/iverdosed. Constantly wondering if taking this drug is worth it.When I get up at night I feel dizzy and feel like my body weighs a ton when I am walking around. In the day time I just want to close my eyes and get some sleep, and get rid of this fuzzy unclear feeling and be rid of the headache. I believe first of all the dosage is too strong for me 5'4 1/2 F 49 2 days
1 Kidney / UTI Horrible Leg and muscle pain, blurry vision in one eye and numbness on one side of the body, depression and anxiety, hip pain, itching and rash, headaches, hot flashes. I have now been to 5 different doctors who have put me through the wash with tests - I am probably up to a thousand dollars in tests and doctor bills by now because they couldn't figure out what was going on - I feel awful - I hope they take this off the market- no one should feel this horrible. F 26 5 days nelsonpack@thewisp.net
1 pneumonia tinnitus, head pressure, mettalic taste, nightmares, depression, psycotic episodes, etc POISON POISON POISON F 60 10 days acenzi@frontiernet.net
1 Urinary tract infection Vision blurred. Its lucky I found this site instead of toughing it out. About 2 hours after taking the second dose, I couldn't see the TV very well, and looking at my wife who sat about 7 feet away, I couldn't make out her features. I immediately called the doctor and had them change the perscription. What a waste of $176! M 57 2 days
1 UTI Muscle aches, headache, anxiety, fever, confusion, fatigue I took this for 2 days and felt awful while I was on it. After I stopped taking the meds, I had a sensation that I was emerging from a foggy haze. F 26 2 days
1 infection insomnia, only slept 3 hours in 24 hours days, irritability, racing heartbeat, anxious thoughts After note being able to fall asleep by 3:30 I looked up symptoms on the web. Have decided to discontinue medication because have not been able to get to sleep. Thanks for everyone else's comments, it should save me some pain. M 31 1 days
1 Sinusitis As I write this, I am still in the throes of muscle twitch, pounding heartbeat and blurry vision. My last pill was yesterday; I only wish I had found this site five days ago instead of last night. I have experienced muscle tics and spasms, ringing in the ears, weakness, Never, never take Levaquin. M 47 4 days ahriman@cox.net
1 sinus infection after 1 week sudden and severe joint pain,thought I might have Lyme Disease. Finished a 2 week round, 500 mg a day. Just now figured out it was the meds. I have to use crutches to get out of bed, I hope this isn't permanent, I am in pain and can hardly move. I can't belive this is happening to me. F 54 14 days
1 sinus infection a terrible taste in my mouth,panicky feeling, cramping in calves,fatigue,mild stomach pains, indigestion, tight chested, clinched jaw. All of this in onlt 2 doses of the 500 mg.I will never take this again and will advise everyone I know about this awful drug. F 48 2 days jandan@houston.rr.com
1 infection could not focus,extreme diziness,shaking,lack of concentration. would not recommend this drug to my worst enemy! had my last dosage 2 days ago. still extremely dizzy. not able to work! i have never felt this way in my life. REALLY SCARY! WARNING: DO NOT TAKE! F 50 5 days dbshadow1@aol.com
1 upper respitory infection initially, leg cramps, ankle and heel chord pain. 1 year later, severe heel chord pain that results in an inability to walk! This medicine is extremely dangerous and should be removed from the market. F 74 10 days
1 upper respitory infection initially, leg cramps, ankle and heel chord pain. 1 year later, severe heel chord pain that results in an inability to walk! This medicine is extremely dangerous and should be removed from the market. F 74 10 days
1 Bronchitis Rarely take drugs for anything prefer natural remedies but this was a bad infection. I had insomnia (and I have a sleep disorder that I take medication for), bad taste in mouth and total loss of sense of taste(increased daily). At first I thought I just couldn't taste things due to the infection but it is now to the point that nothing has any taste whatsoever. Was on the Levapak 5-day. This is day 5 and I don't plan to take the last dose. My bronchitis is better but not substatially better to warrant taking this awful drug. I still have alot of congestion, cough, runny nose & breathing problems. I wouldn't recommend this drug even though I worked for J&J! This medicine definitly needs to be removed or greatly improved. F 53 4 days
1 sore throat, congestion, sinus Unable to sleep during the night. Had repetitive involuntary muscle contractions of my body all night! I will not take another one. My mother had severe nightmares when she took the drug and had to discontinue using it. My dad took it for pneumonia and did well with it. F 41 1 days
1 sinusitis headache, hallucinations which eventually passed when I stopped taking the drug--BUT considerable hip pain(tendon) persists --I have to hold onto something to stand up and have to stand a bit before I can walk--this persists even after a month of being off the drug--the good news is that my sinuses are better--but I've been advised to take it easy (so I had to stop my workouts which now start back spasms?)...used to be very active--that is two months ago....and now I feel like an old lady- I keep hoping this will go away..my doc said none of his patients had ever complained-- F 57 5 days
1 Sinus Infection Flu-like symptoms that came on suddenly on 7th day of 10-day course. Complete Exhaustion. Slept for most of the next 3 days while taking the last of the Levaquin not knowing that that was what was causing it. I had had the same type of problem a year or so ago. Actually it was an ongoing type of thing. I had been having a recurring sinus infection and the doctor kept giving me Levaquin which would clear it up, but I was having aches and pains and lack of energy. Just feeling very ill all of the time. I went to every kind of doctor imagineable and was explaining these weird symptoms and I think they thought I was crazy. Just some neurotic woman dreaming up symptoms. I had paresthesias in my hands and feet, and around my mouth and in my tongue. It felt like I was about to have a seizure, but never quite got to that point. I have never had seizures before, but I do have 2 brothers who have a seizure disorder. I just felt really strange and 3 or 4 years ago I was taking the medication off and on about every 6 weeks for a recurring sinus infection. I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia which I now think was a misdiagnosis. I have been denied long-term disability insurance because of the F 51 10 days pkd123@direcway.com
1 sinus, flu One pill and I got Stevens-Johnson syndrome DO NOT TAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! M 55 1 days gburesh@centurytel.net
1 cough permanently disabled, rash, tendon joint muscle pain nerve damage ( peripheral neuropathy) tremors,Vision problems, severe chronic pain. Websites with information on Reactions:
1 Nasal infection Numbness and tingling of arms, legs, hands, feet. Little fingers to the point of poor control of them and outer hand, lower arms.Vision changes - hard to focus, eyes not focusing together as before taking drug. Dizziness, woosiness. Doctor prescribed Levaquin along with Prednisone and a steriod nasal spray. ADR's noticed on second day. Discontinued all drugs by 8th day. More than 2 weeks later, symptoms better, but still there - especially in right lower arm and hand. F 48 8 days
1 possible pneumonia Intially, flu-like symptoms, severe headaches, nausea, nasty taste in mouth, insomnia, weird dreams, foggy brain, staggering walk, extreme fatigue, blurred/double vision; progressed over next 40 days (only took for 7 days!) to constant cough/asthma, everything going gray to the point of passing out, severe weight loss (food tasted horrible), lights flashing in front of eyes, DEEP depression to the point of thinking about suicide, horrible pain in both ankles, left shoulder & right knee, crying & sobbing spells, paranoia, fear of everything, sense of isolation & desperation. Ended up in ER, & was dosed with Levaquin IV because I had blood in my urine (possible kidney infection). Within 3 days, was having seizures, totally out of my head, admitted to hospital for 6 days, treated with Zoloft for depression, Midrin for migraines, Reglan for nausea; EEG was Too toxic to pass out like candy to an unsuspecting public; should be a drug of last choice, if everything else has failed, & THEN only with a signed, informed consent. This drug is a poison that permeates every cell of your body on a search & destroy mission, & anybody can develop a reaction to it at any time. These reactions can be catastrophic. F 52 7 days kat52@yahoo.com
1 UTI I experienced a severe allergic Reaction. I have red marks on my stomach & back and they itch alot. As a result I am currently on a medication to fight of the horrible red marks and itching.It is very frustrating It is a very strong drug. It should be taken off the market. F 30 7 days
1 pneumonia Have had terrible muscle pain in arms, legs, shoulders, hips and middle of the back between shoulder blades and trouble swallowing after the 4th day. Finished the 10 day course of pills 4 days ago still much muscle pain and fatigue. It did not help the pneumonia very quickly if at all, took me two weeks to get over it. I was given no instruction or info on side effects from the doctor. Please don't take this stuff. F 70 10 days
1 UTI Horrible drug, do not take it! I am 32, and 4 months out from taking 4 Levaquin I am still in terrible pain; burning neuropathy, joint and tendon pain and swelling, head pressure, night sweats. I was in bed for two solid months in agony and now hobble around like an old woman. I used to work out every day! Ask your doctor for a safer drug, this one causes long-lasting pain and debilitation. F 32 4 days
1 possible cervical infection constant twitching in my arm, pain in hands and feet with itching, increased blood pressure, deppression, severe back and knee pain,upset stomach This drug will kill you long before an infection will! TOXIC!!! I took it off and on for over a year. I had no idea about the seriousness of the side effects. F 39 10 days sierrap8@sbcglobal.net
1 bronchitis disabling nerve damage, tendonitis, fatigue 19 months later and theres no hope of recovery!! If I had been warned i'd never have taken this poison!!! Stay as far away from this class of medicine as you can. M 39 7 days
1 Urinary Tract Infection Extremely rapid heart rate, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness in arms/hands, confusion NEVER take this drug. I thought I was going to die and leave behind my three young children. My heartrate shot up to about 180, it is usually 60. I almost passed out while driving after taking the first dose and had to call 911. I am now taking cephalexin with no problems. I will never take a drug again before checking on it more. F 28 1 days witt6732@msn.com
1 upper respiratory infection swelling and pain in the lower legs and ankles. depression. had taken Levaquin previously for a similar condition but this time after 3 days it really hit me. My legs were fiery red and blown up from under the knee down and it hurt to walk. Had terrible mood swings. M 75 3 days
1 pneumonia tinnitus, pain in ribs, knees, shoulders, nightmares, depression, mettalic taste, etc Never take this poison. It comes in different names: avelox, tequin, cipro, anything in the flouroquinolone family. The side effects don't go away. It damages you for life F 60 10 days acenzi@frontiernet.net
1 brochitis I took one pill and experienced anxiety attack in the middle of the night I never had this before. It felt like I was hallucinating. My knee is also weak. It is 3:00 in the morning I can't sleep. Do not take this drug. F 47 1 days
1 Ear Infection Extreme fatigue during the day, sleeplessness at night, depression, anxiety, weakness, nausea, It was horrible! I will NEVER take this again, I have never been so sick in my entire life! F 23 10 days
1 Pneumonia By my 2nd dosage, I started experiencing crazy hallucinations while trying to sleep. I about scared my wife half to death! I will not be taking a 3rd dosage. I am writing this rating now at 1:00 AM because I'm afraid to sleep. Also noticed some stiffness in my knee joint. I understand it may be a key antibiotic for tough infections, but I would not recommend it to anyone. M 36 2 days
1 Respiratory infection I took one 750 mg pill, and within three hours experienced intense pain in my knees, kneck, and the fingers of my right hand. I then realized that I was allergic to the medication. M 36 5 days
1 Brochitus / Sinus Infection Muscle Soreness, Joint Pain, Foot Pain & Confusion. I felt really weird like I was drunk, or just not myself. It feels like I am bruised all over, and I am having problems walking because of the pain. I thought that this was because of a flu virus and that I should finish the antibiotics. I should have called the Dr. & stopped taking the Levaquin. Got a blood test today... I hope I am okay and the pain goes away. I am limping. Use with care! F 29 10 days
1 respitory infection/flu The first day I took this 500mg.dose I experienced severe pain in my thigh and knee. My doctor thought it was not related to the levaquin. After day three I was unable to walk and dragged around hovering over my walker. I stopped the medication after day five and hope to walk freely sometime soon. At age 84 with rheumatoid arthritis I didn't need this and would rather have had the cold/flu hung on longer than lose my ability to walk!. I would not recommend this because it sure caused a terrible week for me, I thought I was having a stroke. I wish my doctor would have pulled me off it after my first complaint!!!! F 84 5 days memz99@yahoo.com
1 Flu symtoms; Urinary infection Very dizzy, nausea, diarria, fingers tingling, foggy and can not concentrate. Paranoid, hyper when normally very calm. Where are all the warnings of long term effects. What does levaquin have that arsenic does not. We are about to go to the ER now due to additional effects that weren't present before. This is the biggest waste of time, pain and money since Celebrex. M 32 2 days
1 bronchial infection severe dizziness, very foggy, confused, pains in ankles and to a lesser degree in a shoulder, couldnt sleep M 53 3 days
1 uti Almost unbearable achilles tendon pain in both legs to the point of crying like a baby (and this is after treatment stopped)Could hardly walk. Severe nausea, EXTREME weakness all over. Weak arm muscles. I feel like an electric current flowing through mylegs legs, lower back pain.neck pain, tingling, muscle spasms in legs, stomach, arms, neck, Feel cold internally in different regions of my body, severe headache, I feel bad all over. DO NOT TAKE LEVAQUIN,CIPRO, TEQUIN or other quinolone. It can literally ruin your life. I wish I had taken Bactrin or penicillin. You have no idea how much I have regreted taking this medicine. IT is worse that the illness, You get constant pain and feel like now you have 100 illnesses and more severe than the original. I had heard about these effects before but they did not sound so bad. BUT when you get them you wish you had listened. This drug should be banned or used in extreme life threatening situations only. If you are taking them, STOP now and ask for another antibiotic (not quinolone), and drink LOTS of water to flush as much of this medicine from your system. F 32 6 days
1 unconfirmed bacterial sinusitis tendonitis, neuropathies in lower legs, insomnia Although some people are not affected badly by this drug, I don't recommend taking the risk unless there's absolutely no other antibiotic to use. 2.5 months after taking this medicine, I continue to have tendonitis and neuropathies. I feel much worse now than I did when I had the sinus problems, and I've had to stay home from work for more days due to tendon and nerve pains than I did because of the sinus infection. Some days I feel lucky to be able to hobble to the bathroom. F 32 7 days
1 pre/post op surgery on urinary trac Leg cramps which began in my calves and worsened every day. Also some mental fogginess. F 38 6 days
1 ear infection, URI after first pill started feeling like an RV shunt in the head, tachycardia, feeling of caustic chemicals running through veins, terribly sick feeling cataracts, severe digestive problems, muscle weakness, cognitive problems, severe memory problems, macular degeneration F 54 10 days jwk@moonstar.com
1 sinus infection dizzy,paresthesia,deprssion,confusion,Feeling of out of my mind! not in control,shakes/jitters,vomiting,severe kidney/back pains,insomia,numbness,pain pressue between my eyes and eyes,weak and stiff arms & legs, anxiety,faint feelingoff balance,itching- feeling of over all illness!!! I feel like-I've been poisoned! I think its a very Dangerouse -Toxic Drug! i'll Always be afraid to try -Any Drug after taking this for only four days! F 48 4 days tomskitten4ever@yahoo.com
1 pneumonia severe muscle and joint pain especially in my knees anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears extreme heartburn, numbness and tinglng in both arms and legs. This drug is a poison. It should only be given as a last ditch effort for bacterial infections. Also, the physicians need to be updated on the severe side effects that this medicine can cause. Everyoe shoul fillout an Adverse drug reaction form to the FDA that as suffered from this medication. F 47 10 days
1 Sinus infection Headache, dizziness,confusion,vision problems,rash,sleeplessness,but the worst was chest pain & shortness of breath I had a severe allergic reaction to this med. It may work for some people but doctor said I could not take ever again. I was on 750 mg. for 3 days also was taking Medrol which may have made my reaction less severe. F 40 3 days
1 Prostatitis This drug seemed to wind me up to the point where I was getting delusional. I'm not sure what happened by over time this drug seemed to be effecting my stress levels. As I took it I found that I had problems talking, I'd choke when trying to talk. My emotions were swinging all over the place. I was getting more fearful for no reason! I was getting hot flashes, maybe even panic attacks. There was like pressure at my temples and my jaw was clinching. Finally my skin felt hot or like it was burning all the time, I turned red! I ended up in the ER for a drug reaction. I have no idea how a antibiotic can do this but these things but this one did! If you have a problem with stress or Depression or you are suffering with a malady that is stressing you out this drug could agitate you even more. I thought I was going nuts after six days at 500mg of this stuff. The doctors say they just love this drug as its very effective for most people, but for me, it effected my emotions over time. Once I stopped the drug I started feeling better. The Doctors gave me some Lorazepam to calm me back down. So far this is the only drug that seems to touch the pain from the Prostatitis... M 50 7 days
1 abdominal pain This pill made me so sick, the nausea and vomiting were constant. I finally had to start cutting them in half and take one during the day and one at night. It didn't help with the pain. F 30
1 ear infection After taking two rounds of Levaquin, I developed severe pain in my knees (that hve not gone away yet--after being off the drug for 7 days). Also some neck and shoulder pain which has mostly subsided. I'm worried that the knee pain has not decreased. M 58 20 days
1 chronic sinus infection Facial neuropathy (tingling/numbess), foggy mental status with episodes of anxiety and lack of ability to concentrate. Overall general odd feeling. Stopped taking drug immediatly after finding this website and have placed call to MD. Dangerous drug. F 54 17 days rpette@earthlink.net
1 bronchitis had taken previously with side effects anxiety and sleeplessness. this time i took 750mg dosage and suffered severe anxiety, dizziness, sleeplessness. white flashes in vision and cramps in calves and feet. ironically ended up with a fractured right rib and didn't even know it happened or how it occurred about 2 weeks after i finished levaquin? how odd? it cured the bronchitis, but will never take again F 50 5 days
1 Suspected Intestinal Infection Extreme knee and leg cramping:difficulty getting out of bed, chair,or using stairs, knees gave out this morning while trying to reach into lower shelf of fridge; hand tremors; losing balance while walking; insomnia without use of sleeping pills, yeast infection in throat. My symptoms started after having abdominal surgery so the F 45 25 days
1 Prostatitus Dizzyness/lightheadedness, sweat dripping down from my left armpit several times each day, fatigue, malaise, don't feel like doing anything anymore, MAJOR anxiety/panic attacks (I'm taking Loprazem for this now), aches and pains in my joints, neck, groin, legs/arms and right-sided headaches that last a few minutes and then dissapear, metallic taste in mouth, tremors, twitches, eye pain/blurryness, brain fog, etc. A week into the Levaquin BOTH sets of toes went numb! I read somewhere that Levaquin was supposed to be some kind of M 43 30 days
1 Respitory Infection dizziness, sleeplessness, sore wrists, indigestion After 5 days, my infection felt worse rather than better (I was prescribed for 7 days). This was in addition to not having slept for almost a week and having heartburn every minute of the day. After 2 phone calls, I finally convinced my doctor to take me off this drug. Replaced with Augmentin which begain improvements within 2 days without any side effects. F 45 5 days
1 pneumonia severe depression, anxiety, nightmares, tremors, nervousness, indigestion, nausea, diarhea,terrible medicine taste, vaginal inflammation, yeast infection, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, twitching, swelling in ankles and feet, pain in calves On the third day I experienced nervousness and trouble sleeping. Unfortunately my doctor told me to F 46 5 days
1 pneumonia severe depression, anxiety, nightmares, tremors, nervousness, indigestion, nausea, diarhea,terrible medicine taste, vaginal inflammation, yeast infection, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, twitching, swelling in ankles and feet, pain in calves On the third day I experienced nervousness and trouble sleeping. Unfortunately my doctor told me to F 46 5 days
1 Sinus infection On 14th day, experienced sudden onset of strange, severe groin pain -worsened with leg movement; couldn't walk! Docs added steroids and discontinued Levaquin.4 months and 5 doctors later, diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head (bone dying). Initial pain caused by bone marrow edema. Doctors' solution to all this? Total Hip Replacement! Did ya'll hear that? The Levaquin started the problem, then the docs cinched the deal by adding prednizone. They've recently discovered sinus infections are initially caused by a fungus and can be easily cured with an inhaled fungicide. Bacterial infections are secondary. Free advice: Don't take any drug from the Quinalone family (Cipro, Levaquin, etc.).I'm now permanently disabled. Hope ya'll heard that! F 57 14 days cjlientz@charter.net
1 sinus infection hallucinations, heart palpitations/pounding, shortness of breath, ears ringing, nightmares with skin crawling sensation, facial twitching, tingling/numbness hands, joint pain ankles/knees/fingers/wrists/neck/back, calf muscle pain. Mental confusion; difficulty reading, concentrating. PA prescribed this medication, misinformed parent and patient. Researched drug and discontinued it after one dose. Side effects appeared 24 hours later. For most patients, side effects are delayed. This drug is contraindicated for anyone under 18. This is a chemical antibiotic unlike traditional organic antibiotics. This drug destroys cartilage, causes spontaneous tendon rupture, is a neurotoxin, and causes vasculitis. Dangerous, last resort drug. M 16 1 days
1 bronchitis strange, foggy feeling, feeling of 'pressure' in the head, disorientation, hallucination, heart palpitations, smelling a distinct, strange odor although no one else could smell it. I took this medication for 3 nights for a sinus infection. It was prescribed because I have allergies to most other antibiotics. This was not worth it! I felt like my heart was racing, could not concentrate, and was seeing shadows dart across my peripheral vision field. I also had a foggy feeling in my head and felt as though my head was in a vice being squeezed - the strange thing was, I didn't feel the pain of being in a vice, just the pressure. It has been 2 years since I took levaquin, and I still see occasional shadows in my field of vision and can still smell that odd odor that no one else could smell while I was on it. I would strongly recommend against anyone taking this drug if it is prescribed. F 27 3 days
1 sinus infection dizziness, nausea, hot and then cold, weariness, headache I had taken this drug before and had not had side effects that I noticed. This time, it was awful. I had taken for 8 days and had two more pills to take but did not take them. F 48 8 days megjan@earthlink.net
1 bronchitis I took one pill and experienced anxiety attack in the middle of the night (I am not prone to this at all)...My heart was pounding, my body felt numb and it felt like I was slipping into a coma. I tried talking to my husband to explain, but I had trouble communicating for a few minutes. It felt like I was hallucinating. After about 5 minutes it was over, but I was still feeling very strange. I will not take this drug again. Now I'm taking 5 day Z-pack. In 24 hours I'm already feeling better. Won't ever try this again. F 36
1 days
1 URI Severe knee pain. Barely able to stand from stting position. Severe pain when walking. Completed 10 day course about 1 week prior. Short of M 40 10 days
1 suspected middle ear infection After one 750 mg tablet, joint and tendon pains lasting more that 5 months, especially in feet and calves but also hands. Rash, fatigue, headache, insomnia, nightmares The physician misprescribed for a 14 year old along with NSAID - both no-no's. F 14
1 Bacterial infection I was prescribed Levaquin for 7 days. On the morning of the fifth day I could barely get out of bed to go the bathroom. I had intense lower back pain and my right knee ached. Walking was extremely painful and it progressed as the day ended. Next day, both knees were inflamed as well as the joint of my big toe on my right foot. Extreme pain. Day three I went to the ER. I needed a wheel chair. The tightening of my muscles and tendons was causing excrutiating pain. I cried several times out of fear and pain. Today is day 6. I have been injected with magnesium shots for the past 2 days and will begin taking magnesium pills today. I truly believe this is helping me. I am walking without much pain. I cannot say that I am back to normal but I believe I am on my way. I am still frightened though, will I ever feel the same? It's poison. I would love to help get this product off of the market!!! F 36 5 days frogprincessnm@earthlink.net
1 respiratory infection sever stomach ache, insomnia, sore muscles, cotton mouth, fatique, constipation. anything has to be better. M 45 9 days
1 sinus infection Restlessness, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, sleepiness, jitteriness, breathlessness I will NEVER take this again, unless it is my only option. I stopped after 2 days because of the side effects and am still expereiencing some of these effects over a month later. I've never had a reaction to any meds--this one made me feel like I was having a heart attack. F 28 2 days
1 possible IUD related infection Extreme drowsiness shortly after taking, then sleeplessness in the middle of the night. Noticably more intense dreams. The first few nights I notices a fluttery heartbeat and weird itchiness on chest and neck. Zoned out feeling most of the day. Some queasiness. Achy, flu-like symptoms, esp. at the base of my neck and shoulders. Came to this site b/c I was worried about feeling all of the above but didn't want to bug my doctor. Now I am completely freaked out and plan to stop taking asap (have been taking once a day for 5 days - supposed to take for 14) F 39 5 days
1 kidney infection My tennis elbow would bother me, at most, for a day before taking levaquin. Now the pain in my elbow will not go away. I am still feeling tired all the time. I will never take this drug again. There are to many lingering side effects and the risks are to high. I have now learned to research ANY drug that is prescribed to me. It is clear that even the doctors are not aware of the bad effects of this drug or they chose to ignore it! M 50 10 days
1 Infection Arrythmia and Severe Seizure F 46 2 days mascarel@bellsouth.net
1 For a bladder infection After taking Levaquin for 3 days (500 Mg)I started experiencing swelling in both ankles and severe pain in the tendons, starting at the heel of both feet and going up my both legs. I could not walk without severe pain. I stopped the medication. I also developed inflammed nodules near my joints at the elbows and hands. The doctors tested me for rheumatoid arthritis(which was negative) and gave me Vioxx for 30 days for pain. It took approx. 6 weeks for most of the symptoms to go away. I still have tenderness in my knees and ankles and mild swelling. I reported this to the FDA, my doctor and the drug mfg. This drug is dangerous. The doctors need to admit that tendonitis is possible as a result of taking this drug and they should warn their patients to beware. F 67 3 days philjbro@aol.com
1 chornic sinus infection After a couple of days while I was back at work. The skin on my arms legs and back felt very sensitive. Then, whenever my clothes touched my skin it burned. Then my skin just burned for days. Took several week to get ((almost)) back to normal. Levaquin can be useful in only one circumstance: If you are in the hospitol and nothing else can possibly help you. This is a very dangerous drug that should never be prescribed to anyone outside of critical care facilities. IT SHOULD BE A SCHEDULE 2 DRUG. M 25 7 days
1 Sinus Infection Never take it again. Stopped after 4 days due to insomnia, aches and pains all over my body and felt as though I had a lump in my throat. Stick with the name brands like Z-Pac or some other form that has been on the market much longer. This drug has many side effects that just don't warrant it being on the market. I am now on Z-pac and hope that these side affects clear up soon. M 40
1 Prostitis Rapid heart rate,dizziness, muscle twitching in eye and leg, constant tremor in shoulder muscle, chest pain, short term memory loss, muscle cramps, chills, irregular heart rate. I am still having these side effects 1 year after taking the medication. M 36 8 days randymc67@aol.com
1 Sinus infection Severe depression, anxiety. Should be taken off market. M 43 7 days tablasco@aol.com
1 pneumonia swelling from head to toe, burning and painful to touch skin, joint pain particularly in shoulders, hands, knees, and ankles, weight gain, weakness I have never experienced anything like this. I have been off of Levaquin for approx. 6 weeks and still have days that are as painful as day #1. The swelling will go down and with the exception of my knees, I'll feel somewhat better and then I wake up the next day and can't move from my shoulders to my ankles. There are days that my feet are so swollen that I can not wear shoes. I was on Avelox for 10 days and then Levaquin, for 14 days but stopped the Levaquin after 7 days. F 43 17 days kmmccon@aol.com
1 Misdiagnosed with Epididymitis Nausea, brain fog, feeling of extreme bloat in esophagus/stomach area, anxiety I was given 7 days at 500mg a day (the GP tossed samples in a bag like they were candy). I threw the last pill out. I just couldn't bring myself to take another. Would not take again unless I was certain to die otherwise. M 27 6 days
1 sinusitis Sudden onset of severe joint and muscle pain. Two weeks after ceasing medication, I still have soreness. Internet search shows this is very common. I would not take this or a fluoroquinolone unless I was near death with massive bacterial infection; certainly not for minor sinusitis. F 53 10 days
1 abcess nausea, muscle aches After taking levaquin for over 72 hours, I was so sick that I could not leave my bed comfortably. I missed extra days of work beyond what I would have for my abcess because I was so achy and could not keep my food down. It was prescribed for ten days but I am stopping it tomorrow (day 5). F 50 3 days
1 fungal skin rash irregular heart rhythms; pain in wrists and elbows; shortness of breath; chest pain I thought I was going to die F 37 2 days
1 Infection/ thigh due to a hard fall Severe pain in both calves. Almost like a charlie horse. Could barely walk until 2 days after I stopped it. And I still have residual pain, intermittently ranging from bad to worse. Never again. It's odd that I have taken it successfully in the past, but at 500 mg. This time it was 750 mg. F 46 8 days lpndeb@aol.com
1 pneumonia Insomnia, Fast heartbeat, Anxiety, Diarrhea, Leg cramps, Nightmares-confused thoughts as falling asleep, fuzzyheadedness. I had taken prednisone for 2 days and had side effects from that. Unfortunately, the Dr and pharmacist assured me that Levaquin wouldn't interact with the Prednisone. The Dr said side effects with Levaquin are rare, but I insisted on stopping after the 2nd day and he agreed. F 38 2 days
1 prostatitis I started taking 250mg for 2 weeks then 500mg for 2 days. I woke up this morning and fell into the wall. Feel very foggy, can't sleep, dizziness. This stuff is bad. I have never had any type of side effects from anything until now. I'm not sure it is helping my problem either. M 35 17 days
1 upper respiratory infection On the 12th day of taking Levaquin 750mg, I started getting horrible pains in my legs and ankles. I also suffered with heart racing, confusion, blurriness of the eyes, and swelling of the face.I have been off them for 2 days and still have some joint pain. When I started getting these symptoms I didnt connect them to the Levaquin until my doctor informed me that they were side effects from this medication and not from the virus, which is what I had thought. I will never take this med again. F 50 12 days
1 Urinary Tract Infection Severe joint pain in my fingers, wrist, neck and terrible in my ankles. Hard to stand first thing in the morning. Constant headache. Body/muscle aches like you have the flu. Ringing in my ears. Pain in my jaw. Irritable. Feel very sad. After researching this medicine it scares me and I would never recommend it to anyone. It should only be given as a LAST resort! First prescription was 5 days. Infection came back worse then ever. Second prescription was 7 days. F 42 7 days
1 prostatitis aching joints, fatique, difficulty sleeping started feeling the effects after the first couple of days on this medication. bottom line is i should have listen to what my body was telling me. ive never had difficulty with anti biotics before. M 51 10 days
1 sinusitis nightmares, dizziness, anxiety, foggy thinking, fatigue I already was prone to panic attacks and the side effects of this medication exacerbated the problem. Have never had psychological effects like nightmares and difficulty thinking from other antibiotics. I only lasted two days (two doses) on this drug before I called my doctor and asked to stop. I couldn't imagine 5 more days of that. F 32 2 days tsula_33@yahoo.com
1 urinary tract infection tendon aches, joint (all joints) pain, extremely fuzzy head, tingling and numbness on tops of hands and feet. It did not fix the problem, only made it come back worse than before. Think seriously before taking this drug. I would not reccomend it to my worst enemy. M 32 5 days
1 non existant prostate infection severe joint and tendon damage, liver damage, kidney damage, vision damage,photoxicity,severe insomonia,facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes, brain fog,hair loss, severe rash, anxiety,depersonalization, increase white blood count, hyperglycemia, magnesium depletion, increased calcium, severe pain, and on and on and on and on and on. it has been 2.5 years since taking this drug and I continue to suffer severely from the reactions. Doctors can only tell me the damage but have no clue how to fix it. Seeiang no less than a dozen clueless specialist. THis drug turned me