problems after taking antibiotic 'Levaquin'
 

I had an out of state visitor catch something horrible on the shuttle bus on July 3. There was a couple on the bus with her, coughing horribly, and they stated they were on a cruise and the entire ship got sick. My visitor ended up getting this, and the day she left I got it also. Long story shortened, I took the antibiotic 'Levaquin' and also prednisone. The second day, I noticed my shoulder was extremely painful, but thought it was from tossing and turning in bed. On day 4, I had problems even moving my shoulder. Stopped the pills, called DR. and he said to stop taking them. Did lots of research and discovered this is a side effect of this antibiotic....tendinitis, torn tendons, etc. A week later and my shoulder is not better. I am looking for anyone that has experienced this, and hoping they have some suggestions on how to help my shoulder pain. I have been taking Aleve, and pain patches but no help. Has anyone out there experienced the side effects of this drug? Google it, it is a nightmare drug!!!
Thanks in advance. Rose

This is what Drugs.com writes;

Levaquin may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles' tendon of the heel. This can happen during treatment or up to several months after you stop taking Levaquin. Tendon problems may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.

I've taken large amounts of predisone the past two years for various skin problems, so I know it's a steroid. The one thing that stands out to me is they say tendon problems may be more likely if you're over 60 and take steroid medication. Seems like he shouldn't of prescribed that drug in combination with presdisone, a steroid.

The key problem is in your first sentence. "horrible cold virus" Repeat and repeat and repeat No antibiotic should ever be taken for a viral illness. It is completely useless and only will result in side effects either for you the patient or for all of us in inducing of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Even those overdiagnosed excuses of "sinusitis" or "bronchitis' need to be viewed skeptically. Just because your nose is runny and you have a headache does not mean you have a BACTERIAL sinus infection. Just because you are coughing does not mean you have a BACTERIAL bronchial infection. Here is what the CDC says about bronchitis and antibiotics:
Bronchitis (Chest Cold)

Antibiotics are almost never needed for bronchitis, a condition that occurs when the airways in the lungs swell and produce mucus, which causes a person to cough


and about sinusitis:
A sinus infection (sinusitis) does not typically need to be treated with antibiotics in order to get better.
Sinus infections occur when fluid is trapped or blocked in the sinuses, allowing germs to grow. Sinus infections are usually (9 out of 10 cases in adults) caused by a virus


So please stop asking for antibiotics even if you have a "bad" virus. And severely question the need for any antibiotic for bronchitis or sinusitis. There is no such thing as a safe antibiotic. Only lower risk. And the benefit needs to outweigh the risk. If there is no benefit (except your "need" for a useless Rx) then always the risk exceeds the benefit.

Levaquin
 

Thanks for your response. I did not go into a lot of detail about my illness, and should have just said I was very sick and not even mentioned 'cold'. My pulse was very high and my chest hurt and I could not sleep, but I did not even have a runny nose or head cold. A few years back I had a long and scary bout of pneumonia. Since then, my lungs seem weakened, and when I get 'bad stuff', it goes directly to my lungs. I was worried the bronchitis was getting worse and I feared pneumonia again. Levaquin IS prescribed for bronchitis so I thought it would be safe. I took it 2 years ago and it worked fine and I had no adverse reaction to it. I will say after 4 days of the drugs this time, my lungs cleared completely. Unfortunately I got the tendon side effects this time, which I was not aware of even being a side effect. I do understand antibiotic abuse and as for taking antibiotics often, I work hard at NOT abusing them. I am allergic to several and am afraid if I get pneumonia again that they might not find one that will work for me. Of course if I could have a 'do over'.....I would NOT take the Levaquin. I thank you for you take on this.

This post really caught my attention. I too have had numerous bouts with bronchitis & sinus issues. I went to Urgent Cares during these episodes and of course antibiotics were prescribed. I seem to have bad reactions to most of those that were ordered and Levaquin is one of them. Since taking that med, I seem to have an issue with my upper left arm. Feels as though I've torn something or possibly a pulled muscle...aches and sometimes a burning sensation.
I work hard at avoiding ALL antibiotics and do what I can to enhance my immune system. Worth a visit to the lake nutrition store in Spanish Springs area
Hope you feel better soon

levaquin
 

My father had a bad reaction to the drug. He had severe pain in his legs and could hardly walk. He stopped the medication and felt better in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Thank you for this warning, LuckySevens. I did not know about this. I hope you are completely better soon.

The story of levaquin has a long history. My father was prescribed levaquin while visiting in Florida and within days his Achilles' tendon ruptured. That happened in 1999!! Even then the warnings were there that elders or athletic individuals may experience tendon problems or rupture. Levaquin is off my list.

Lots of lawsuits against Levaquin if you do a Google search.

I also took that drug. Torn tendons in both shoulders. Physical therapy but they are still not healed. It's been a year now. My symptoms didn't start until the 7th day, last day of taking it.

Stick to the Z Pak if you need an antibiotic.

I would never take Levaquin again. Within four days after I started taking it I developed an Achilles tendon issue. It should not be available IMHO.

Great post and entirely on target. Wish docs would STOP prescribing antibiotics for viral infections.

So sorry to hear you are still not well.
I need to find an orthopedic dr. to see, to find out if mine is just tendonitis or an actual tear. Hurts to move my elbow out to the side, plus impossible to undo my bra in the back. Putting arm straight up is very painful. I fear a tear.

For those of you who have experienced tendon ruptures, etc, from being on Levaquin - by any chance, were you also taking steroids (Prednisone) at the same time? There is a major drug interaction between the 2 drugs.

Levaquin and prednisone Drug Interactions - Drugs.com