Levaquin and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• Lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "I suffer from recurring UTIs. My doctor prescribed Levaquin. After a few days, my UTI symptoms went away. I suffer from bipolar disorder, so I can't make the direct link of the mood-related side effects to the Levaquin. The only side effects that I can link to the use of Levaquin are as follows: tiredness, exacerbation of sciatica, joint pain, feeling unsteady while walking, nausea, stomach pain, agitation, insomnia, minor depression, foggy-headed, and confusion. I did not suffer the four most common side effects. All of the symptoms I experienced were tolerable. The Levaquin worked on my UTI within 3 days, and I continued the medication as prescribed. While others have suffered from worse side effects, that was not my experience."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2014

For Urinary Tract Infection "I am allergic to a lot of antibiotics (and always get side effects!) and get sick a lot. I used to take Z-Packs almost once a month, and now I wonder why I hadn't tried Levaquin sooner! This is my 3rd time on Levaquin this year. I took it twice for my chronic ear infection with success. The first time my joints felt like I was an arthritic old lady! The 2nd time I had only some ankle and finger pain. I'm on day 1 today for a urinary tract infection and ear infection from a water park. I can feel it working, and I have no joint pain."

• Reg...
• November 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "2015, 2x/day for 10 days for first-ever UTI. Day 3, woke up very sore all over, got worse each day. Days 6 & 7, misery. Every single joint and tendon in my entire body felt like it had been put through a paper shredder. I couldn't even walk. It wasn't until that day that I read that it was black boxed (had never even heard of that before). I also read that if you experience any of these side effects, to stop taking it immediately. So I should've stopped on day 3 when I already felt hit by a truck. 0 warning from doctor or pharmacy. 6 months before I could lift my left arm due to the pain in my shoulder. 5 years later, and I still have severe joint pain in my knees, hips, and back. The worst is my hands, which ache so bad, which is devastating as an artist. I'm 35, yet I feel 90. This poison needs to be taken off the market, and doctors and pharmacists need to be more responsible if they do prescribe it, and at the very least, warn patients of the risks. I should've had the choice."

• Reg...
• November 16, 2019

For Urinary Tract Infection "2015, 2x/day for 10 days for first-ever UTI. Day 3, woke up very sore all over, got worse each day. Days 6 & 7, misery. Every single joint and tendon in my entire body felt like it had been put through a paper shredder. I couldn't even walk. It wasn't until that day that I read that it was black boxed (had never even heard of that before). I also read that if you experience any of these side effects, to stop taking it immediately. So I should've stopped on day 3 when I already felt hit by a truck. 0 warning from doctor or pharmacy. 6 months before I could lift my left arm due to the pain in my shoulder. 5 years later, and I still have severe joint pain in my knees, hips, and back. The worst is my hands, which ache so bad, which is devastating as an artist. I'm 35, yet I feel 90. This poison needs to be taken off the market, and doctors and pharmacists need to be more responsible if they do prescribe it, and at the very least, warn patients of the risks. I should've had the choice."

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For Pneumonia "I was prescribed Levaquin due to pneumonia. It seemed to help with the illness, but I had trouble with an erratic heart rate and felt ill, including pain in my back legs and other random joints. I didn’t finish the prescription due to increasing pain, dizziness, and had the feeling I was at the point that the medicine was poisoning me. This drug can be quite dangerous. It’s been several months, and I continue with pain in areas for no reason. This drug is not safe."

• No...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2016

For Sinusitis "Levaquin is not for me, even though it did help clear up my sinus infection. The tendonitis and joint pain were just too much for me. What they fail to tell you is that with lots of people who take this drug, the side effects do NOT go away with discontinuation of the drug. I now feel like I have arthritis in my hips, knees, elbows, and hands that simply will not go away, and I blame the Levaquin for these lingering symptoms. I would not recommend the drug to anyone unless their sinus infection simply will not respond to other treatments."

• kat...
• April 2, 2010

For Streptococcal Infection "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."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2013

For Pneumonia "Took Cipro for a Pseudomonas infection and then five months later took Levaquin. Joint and tendon pain just kept getting worse, and I'm still suffering from these side effects two months after discontinuing."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2011

For Bronchitis "I am 54 years old and was put on Levaquin in August. I had side effects from the medication that caused joint and tendon pain and damage. I used to take it when I was younger with a good outcome. It is now January, and I still have very bad knee and tendon pain. Beware of the medication."

• Bew...
• November 7, 2009

For Sinusitis "Was prescribed Levaquin 750 mg/5-day dose on June 22, 2009. First week, no bad symptoms except for insomnia and nightmares. It did knock out the sinus infection temporarily (10 days), but then sinusitis returned. It wasn't until week 3 after using this drug that I started noticing joint pain in elbows, knees, shoulders, and lower back. It's November now, and things haven't improved. Along with tendinitis symptoms, I've also lost muscle strength in calves, biceps, and will experience burning in hamstrings after doing simple things like cutting my lawn. I hope this goes away or somebody offers a remedy to counter these effects."

• kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2015

For Urinary Tract Infection "Took one 250 mg tab of levofloxacin at 6 p.m. yesterday and am still experiencing side effects 18 hours later. My symptoms are reduced but are replaced with a 6 out of 10 on the pain scale-stomach ache. I have nausea, heart palpitations, dizziness, headache, and joint aches. I've called my doc back today to see about getting an alternative med. I will not take another dose of this medication."

• Non...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2016

For Pneumonia "750 mg dosage for five days apparently cleared pneumonia, but now, six weeks later, I still feel some side effects of pain and swelling in ankles and feet that immobilized me immediately after taking. Additional side effects included internal bleeding in the ankle area, black toes, areas of skin on the lower leg showing bruise-like areas. Difficulty walking due to stiff and painful joints in feet and ankles."

• Cha...
• September 15, 2016

For Pneumonia "I started having trouble about 1 month after I finished my prescription. I have severe joint pain from my hips down. I was a very active person, walking 6-7 miles a day, now I barely get 2 because my feet and knees hurt so bad."

• Cha...
• September 15, 2016

For Pneumonia "I started having trouble about 1 month after I finished my prescription. I have severe joint pain from my hips down. I was a very active person, walking 6-7 miles a day, now I barely get 2 because my feet and knees hurt so bad."

• kre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2016

For Pneumonia "I was being treated for pneumonia. Levaquin seems to be knocking down the pneumonia after two rounds of another antibiotic seemed ineffective. I'm now 8 days out from my last dose and feel awful. The joint pain is horrific. I used to exercise, don't know if I will ever be able again. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG. If your insurance allows, opt for hospital care."

• Wic...
• September 7, 2016

For Pneumonia "Prescribed Levaquin for 5 days. 5 to 10 days after completing the medication, which killed the pneumonia, I started to have joint pain. Now, over two months after taking this medication, I am pretty much disabled. I have what is now called fluoroquinolone-induced tendinopathy in my shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. I also suffer from neurological changes that affect my sense of touch, and I feel like I am suffering from mild electric shocks all over my body. I wish I would not have been given this antibiotic. It has slowly destroyed my quality of life."

• Anonymous
• April 24, 2009

For Sinusitis "I was prescribed Levaquin for acute sinusitis, and I had a horrible experience after only the first dose. My arms, hands, and ankles were tingling, and my knees hurt. I got extremely cold and was shaking uncontrollably. It was then I read the 10-page 'black label warnings' that the pharmacist gave me. This drug will do severe damage to your tendons, and after only one dose, I was feeling the effects. My joints kept popping non-stop with everything I did - walk, type, etc. My joints ached as well. My DR immediately switched me to another drug. The literature claims people can blow out their tendons rather easily, even months after taking the medicine. Not worth the risk of future joint damage when there are other drugs out there."

• Mic...
• July 12, 2009

For Kidney Infections "I was put on Levaquin due to a nasty kidney infection that was found (finally) after I went to the ER because of severe seizures. I have epilepsy, palindromic arthritis, and lupus. After reading this information, my husband picked up the script for me, and he was told that these needed to be taken at the same time. Now I am bothered because the side effects of this drug are very much like what I live with daily (joint pain, rashes, seizures, insomnia, etc.). I am wondering if this drug is really a good fit for me? But my kidney is grateful."

• Anonymous
• June 7, 2008

For Middle Ear Infections "This was given to me for a killer middle ear infection... have a terrible time sleeping, anxious, and my knees hurt like I'm 100 years old (I'm 35!). Thank God, only 4 days left! But definitely helped with the ear infection."

• NoM...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2020

For Bladder Infection "I was on Levaquin years back and didn’t have a problem. I was given it now at 32 yo intravenously at the ER for a bladder infection that didn’t seem to respond to Macrobid. It knocked me out! I couldn’t move my limbs or move my mouth to speak, I was so drugged. I came to and told the ER doctor who said it was fine, take it when I got home. Before I could take another dose, I had excruciating arm, shoulder, wrist, and hand pain. Never took the other dose. Went back on Macrobid until extreme diarrhea day and a half later. I was only on one IV dose of this, and I am still having muscle pain almost 4 days later. Not as severe, but wow, NEVER AGAIN."

• Ten...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

For Bladder Infection "I was given this medication in March of this year. I only took 500 mg of it for 2 days, and then the pain in my joints became really sharp. As an architecture student, on the 3rd day, I had to break some skewer sticks for a model, and I couldn't believe the pain in my hands during the process. My arms and feet felt strange and numb. I experienced pain even when I just took the stairs, which was never a problem before. Then, a few days later, my family doctor switched the antibiotic to norfloxacin. However, after taking norfloxacin for 2 days, the joint pain worsened, and I also felt numbness in my face. I don't even know who to blame for this because I had taken norfloxacin before without any side effects. I stopped taking it as well. I am writing this review 2 months later. The severe pain and numbness resolved within a few days, but since then, I continue to experience joint pain that I didn't have before. I'm only 19 years old, but it feels like much more."

• Rnc...
• November 23, 2017

For Pneumonia "I had pneumonia and had been sick for 2 weeks. The doctor had prescribed another antibiotic and steroids first. When I wasn't better, the doctor prescribed Levaquin. The first day was okay, just really tired. The second day I started having joint pain and my ribs were really hurting (not from coughing) and still really exhausted. By the third day I could barely walk because of my knees being so swollen and painful and hard to breathe because of the rib pain. Called the doctor and he said to get off of it and come in for blood tests. I have been off of it for almost 2 weeks and still can barely walk and the ribs are still really sore. After reading the rest of the stories, it makes me very angry that this drug and its family are still out there to harm people. Ridiculous!"

• Chi...
• September 24, 2021

For Sinusitis "41/F. I had a serious sinus infection for over a year after having Covid. I took so many antibiotics that didn’t help at all: Augmentin, doxycycline, amoxicillin, and a few others. Then they took several cultures that showed the bacteria Citrobacter k. present, which is resistant to most antibiotics. I was put on Cipro for 20 days, then again for 14 days. Didn’t help much. The only other option for oral/non-IV antibiotics for this bacteria was Levaquin. I’m on Day 5 of 14 and already seeing a huge improvement, unlike any other antibiotic used. I’m hopeful it will eventually go away completely. I haven’t noticed any side effects. I have a physical job, and I’m physically active, and I haven’t noticed any issues with tendons, etc. When I asked about the side effects some people get, namely the issues with tendons and joints, my physician said that is more likely if you’re overweight or over 60."

• Tod...
• August 21, 2017

For Middle Ear Infections "I took 3 doses of Levaquin and stopped it. I now have joint pain, constant tendonitis, and vision problems. I hold Drs accountable for all of the damage done by this class of drug. For God's sake, Levaquin is used to treat anthrax infections, it should NOT be used for ear infections, UTIs, or sinus infections. It should only be used if the other option is death. I'm serious, if you have a life-threatening infection, use it because you have nothing to lose from it, but otherwise, never take it."

• Tun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2018

For Sinusitis "This is my 4th antibiotic for a sinus infection. On day 5 and not feeling any different. Just wanted to give my experience... I ate yogurt in the morning and afternoon and took a probiotic. I had none of the side effects but slight joint pain. Keep in mind everyone is different. Drink plenty of water. Blood test done yesterday and it shows I have an infection, but no antibiotic touching it. This has been going on for 2 months. Have a CT scan on Monday."