About Levaquin

Levaquin is a member of the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic group.  Other medications in this group include:
  • Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
  • Levaquin (levafloxacin)
  • Floxin (ofloxacin)
  • Avelox (moxifloxacin)
  • Noroxin (norfloxacin)
  • Penetrex (enoxacin)
  • Maxaquin (lomefloxacin)
  • Vigamox (eye drops for pink eye)
  • Zymar eye drops
  • Besivance Eye Drops, Ciloxan Eye Drops, Iquix Eye Drops, Quixin Eye Drops, Ocuflox Eye Drops, Ofloxacin Eye Drops 
  • Cetraxal Ear Drops, Cipro and Ciprodex Ear Drops, Floxin and Ofloxacin Ear Drops
  • Baytril (for veterinary use)--yes, they flox our animals too!
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are very powerful drugs that should only be used as a last resort to treat severe bacterial infections. They were originally intended to treat Malaria and Anthrax poisoning.   Not all doctors realize these meds were intended to be used  in life or death situation, or when all other therapies have failed.  Now these incredibly powerful antibiotics are commonly prescribed for upper respiratory infections, sinus infections, prostatitis, diverticulitis, urinary tract infections,  bronchitis, and in my case GI infections.   This unnecessary prescribing of these medications, results in growing numbers of devastating adverse drug effects.  With me, it only took one dose!   People who have had adverse reactions from these meds often refer to themselves as have been "floxed".  This is derived from "floxacin" at the end of the medicine names.

NSAID drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve, Asprin, or prescription grade such naproxen or celebrex) are contraindicated to take with a fluoroquinolone antibiotics because they have been shown to  increase the risk of Central or Peripheral Nervous System damage .  Also, steroids or cortisone are contraindicated to take with fluoroquinolone antibiotics.  This has been shown to increase the risk of tendon rupture .  (Wish I had known this!)

Fluoroquinolones are contraindicated in people over the age of 60, the pediatric population, heart patients,  and those with Central Nervous System disorders.  People with epilepsy and Myasthenia Gravis are specifically mentioned not to take this group of medications.  The list really goes on.  I can not include all the information here. Levaquin Medication Guide

 So often we read all of these warnings, and they seem so benign when they are just words.  We think, that happens to other people, not me.  It has been stated that these side effects happen to less than 1% of the people who have taken it.  However, many go unreported.  In just the small amount of time that I have been affected, I can tell you , I have met so many people that have had adverse reaction to these meds, it has to be greater than 1%.  Either that, or all of the 1% live in my area, which is very unlikely.  I have read that the estimate is really closer to 30%. Please report adverse reactions to the FDA here!

The Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRS) Associated with the Fluoroquinolones include:
 
Spontaneous Tendon Ruptures
Toxic Psychosis
Insomnia
Anxiety Attacks
Irreversible Peripheral Neuropathy
Hypoglycemia
Liver Failure
Heart Failure Fatal Reactions
Vision and Hearing Loss
DNA Damage
Kidney Failure
Skin Damage
Brain Damage
Stephen Johnson Syndrome
Blood Disorders
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Rashes
Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Phototoxicity
Burning Pain
Joint and Tendon Damage
Strokes and Aneurysms
 
 
 
 
New Black Box Warning for Myathenia Gravis and FQ Antibiotics 3/14/11
2012 Report 
 This is the latest from the Freedom of Information Request regarding Fluoroquinolones. If an automobile had this many deaths or "safety" reports, it would have been recalled long ago and taken off the road:
From 11/97 to 6/12 there were 1,536 death outcomes linked to Cipro. During that same time period, there were 19,410 individual safety reports sent to the FDA medwatch reporting system for Cipro.
From 11/97 to 6/12, there were 1,277 death outcomes linked to Levaquin. During that same time period, there were a total of 23,113 individual safety reports sent into the Medwatch reporting system.

From 11/1997 to 6/2012 there were 684 death outcomes linked to Avelox. During that same time period, there were 19,541 individual safety reports submitted to the FDA.

These numbers represent a gross underestimation of the actual numbers. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE FDA RECEIVES LESS THAN 5% OF ACTUAL SAFETY REPORTS.
Websites:  
Other FQ Blogs:
Levaquin Hurt Me
Cipro is Poison


Lariam Info.  Lariam is an anti-malarial medication that is in the Quinolone family.  Side effects are similar to fluoroquinolone antibiotics.  Here is a wonderful resource: 
Lariam Info


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