Levofloxacin for Streptococcal Infection User Reviews

• nir...
• May 29, 2008

Levofloxacin "Few months back I had a combined attack of flu and bad strep throat. I could not eat or speak. I had 102-103 fever every 5-6 hours. The doctor gave me Zithromax (Azithromycin) 500 mg two times a day. After 4 days, the fever came under control but blood spots in my coughing would not go away. Finally, the doctor gave me Levaquin (1 capsule per day). With the first dose, the pain was reduced by 80%. With the second dose, the blood spots were gone, the fever was gone, and there was no pain. By the third dose, I felt like nothing happened. Excellent drug. I must finish the 10-capsule course."

• Anonymous
• May 28, 2011

Levofloxacin "I had a strep infection. I took Z-Pack for 5 days, with no change, in fact, my symptoms actually worsened. Twenty-four hours after the first dose of Levaquin, I noticed a noticeable improvement, and after 48 hours, the pain was gone. It is very powerful."

• kat...
• April 2, 2010

Levofloxacin "Not allergic to anything. On Day 15 round of antibiotics in February, so needed something stronger to wipe out this diphtheria and strep throat. Could barely swallow yesterday. Took a pill yesterday, went to bed, woke up with a headache that was manageable, along with some dizziness that is getting better. A little bit of pain in joints and some very soft stool this morning, but I was thankful for that. I already can swallow today without much pain and feel about 20% better, so it must be working at a fast rate. I am thankful. Only taking it for 7 days, 500 mg."

• Mic...
• December 27, 2013

"I usually get strep throat about twice in the winter, first time being on this antibiotic, and within hours I noticed the pain dwindling away. Please drink plenty of water as advised. Didn't drink enough water on the second day and had a major headache, dizziness, and nausea. I started pounding water, and it eventually passed. When it kicks in, it did make me nervous, but it subsided after about 10 minutes!"

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2020

Levofloxacin "I do not recommend this antibiotic, although I did feel better quickly from the infection. My tendons got inflamed and achy. Especially in the calves of my legs, hips, and knee pain. Do not use unless you have to. But mine was given with steroids."

• Dan...
• July 22, 2019

"I had a case of recurring strep. I was on azithromycin twice, and it didn't seem to be doing the trick this time around. My doctor called me and mentioned that strep A is becoming resistant to azithromycin and instead put me on a 7-day course of levofloxacin. I never suffered any side effects, but within two days, I was feeling great. The sore throat and hacking cough went away, and I have more energy now. I am wondering if I had any other infection going on because I not only felt better, my libido returned to what it was 5 years ago. Levofloxacin is a very powerful antibiotic, and it certainly does the job, but I can certainly understand the risks and how it may not be right for some people. That said, while side effects impact, on average, 1% of the population, that 1% seems to be 50% of people who write reviews, so I think it's important to keep that perspective. Best advice is to LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR! If your doctor prescribes it, they probably have a good reason."

• Anonymous
• September 20, 2009

Levofloxacin "Had an on-again, off-again strep virus for the last year. 24 hours later after taking Levaquin, and I can tell a difference. Obviously a powerful medicine. If you are an experienced sinus/throat person and you've tried all of the over-the-counter medicine, alternatives, and weaker antibiotic versions, give this one a try. There are risks to taking this medicine. If you are not too sensitive, do it! This seems to be the only one with any effect that I tried."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2009

Levofloxacin "Had a secondary staph infection from an athlete's foot problem. Went to ER, gave me some antibiotics (forgot the name). Five days passed and no relief; saw a dermatologist, and he put me on the Levaquin. First night was like World War III in my foot. Almost ran back to the ER, but you could feel this medicine working. Two days on the pill and swelling and redness subsided significantly. Third day, I could walk again and zero pain from the infection. This medicine works. Now, I'll admit that I've had sore Achilles tendons and I could feel the medicine working its way up into my knees. However, considering the pain I was in, I am okay with the trade-off. Very expensive medicine - but works!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2016

"I had meningitis, which was the result of an ongoing, untreated, and lingering sinus infection. I was on IV antibiotics along with oral Levaquin. A month later, I took Levaquin for about 3 more weeks for extra measure to clear it all out. This med likely had a part in saving my life because I'm allergic to a lot of other meds, and I can tolerate this. The only thing I do/did notice when taking it is vivid and sometimes intense/strange dreams. It stopped when I was done with the course. Had I taken antibiotics back when my sinus infection started (I didn't, as I was scared of unnecessary meds), I wouldn't have gotten meningitis in the first place. So people, please, please take the meds if you have an infection. Don't end up like me!"

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

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

• Onl...
• December 21, 2018

Levofloxacin "This medication can cause weakening of tendons. At 43, I had a tear in my left Achilles. My right Achilles tore and was repaired at age 49. The surgeon said my tendon was in VERY BAD shape. It didn't make it through the first repair because I fell, and it totally ruptured. It took 18 months for full recovery. My recommendation is to STAY AWAY FROM LEVAQUIN OR ANYTHING IN ITS FAMILY!!!!!"

• rxe...
• April 1, 2017

"750 mg Apo-Levofloxacin x 7 days. Side effects: palpitations (max 30 mins), nausea upon eating (all day), hallucinogenic dreams (most nights). Severe infection, 90% of pustules had shed after the first 24 hours. Lymph swelling near the ears and back of neck were also gone. Major neck lymph swelling reduced over the 7-day course. May need to continue course for another 7 days. Signs of reinfection 2 days after the end of the course."

• Joe...
• June 6, 2015

"I came up positive on a rapid strep test first time taking this medicine, 7-day, 500 mg. It's day 1, throat is still swollen and can barely swallow, no change yet. Insomnia, I'm so tired and I can't sleep, my heart is racing. I hope this doesn't happen to you."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 20, 2016

"Got strep throat, the pain in my throat immediately disappeared after one day, and by the second day, the coughing stopped."

• Gel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2018

"It worked, but I had bad gas! Anyone else?"