Avelox

I had a severe anaphylaxic reaction this morning at my grandson's pediatrician's office... less than an hour after taking my first dose of Avelox prescribed the night before for bronchitis and COPD exacerbation. (I had taken Avelox before, on 2 occasions, and only experienced tolerable shoulder pain.)

This was sudden and severe and I don't recall ever being so afraid of actually dying. The pediatrician called an ambulance and administered Benedryl and kept me on oxygen until EMTs arrived. They gave me more Benedryl and then Epi. But all in all it took 3-4 x adult dose of Benedryl, Epi and solu-medrol to get it mostly under control. I still itch like a crazy person but at least I can breath and think straight now.

I was a bit bothered that the E.R. doc seemed doubtful at first then surprised that it could have been Avelox. As I had taken only the Avelox and 20mg of Prednisone that morning and hadn't yet eaten anything he pretty much had to consider Avelox to be the trigger. This could have so easily turned out far worse if I had been alone at home with 2 small boys. I vaguely remember hearing my youngest asking the doctor if I was "going to die today". Damn scary.

I took Avelox last december for a sinus infection that was not responding to z pack. With in two days I had swelling and a feeling of doom. Major headache with no relief, and I broke out in a rash. 9 months latter I still have a rash that no one will relate back to the drug but also can't figure out how to fix it. Steroid only clear it temp, sun has no effect all the lotions and creams have no bearing the chiropractor can't fix it either. my knee also hurts a lot but I do get releif from the chiropractor for that but what is one to do? I do have a history of reactions to antibiotics but not what the waning label showed.

Carol,

I took Avelox for 10 days, then had a fever for 3 days, horrible red rash all over the body and severe headache and swelling of the wrists, hands and fingers. Sounds like the same condition as yours. I have read many posts and you are the most similar and recent to my situation. What worries me is I am also on predisone and I have no idea how permanent this will be. I am/was a healthy 43 year old male with zero allergies to medication. Funny thing is that I was on a 10 day course of levaquin a week before for bronchitis. I started with an ear infection and then was given Avelox. Any info on what you have done to manage this would be tremendously appreciated. My email address is therowes5342@gmail.com
I suppose when you make ober 600 million a year peddling this drug, knowing it maims and kills an acceptable number of innocent people, you pay a settlement and continue reaping the profits. Sleep well tonight Bayer management

do not take any more Avelox

I was prescribed Avelox 10 months ago for a sinus infection. On day 11 of taking this medication I developed neuropathy in my hands, swelling of my hands, wrists, enlarged joints, muscle ridgity followed. My MD had no clue what to do. Prednisone taper, longer term Prednisone was ordered. I had short term relief as when I stopped the oral steroid the problems returned. ALL of my labs were normal which I was thrilled about, but there was no knowledge in how to treat my symptoms. I made an appointment with an orthopedic as I knew I had some tendonitis going on. They gave me steroid injections which noramlized me, so I thought. Here I am today, 4 months later and I am experiencing all of the previous problems. My hands are swollen, all my major joints are hurting. I have neuropathy in my fingers. I am going back for more injections. I know it will work, but for how long. Is this going to be a life long problem? This is depressing and frustrating.

I am on day 3 of Avelox and trying to push through the 7 day course. May only be able to do 5 days due to anxiety and panic attacks. I have them anyway, but since getting on this medicine they have gotten pretty bad - and I have seriously thought about coming off it. I feel as if I am shaking on the inside and very wound up. But, trying to push through because I have been sick for a month with tonsillitis and bronchitis and Z-pack did not work. This is a seriously strong drug and I would not take it unless I had something serious. I have also had very bad insomnia and muscle pains and a headache with diarrhea. The latter I can take. It's the panic attacks constant jitteriness that I cannot deal with!! My ativan is not helping either! Other that that, LOL, I feel the drug is helping.

hi i took avelox and i feel like shit this would be the six day i feel pain in my arms and legs very week and tired can't sleep at night high anxiety dehydrated stomach pain and loss of appetite and diarreah i just came back from the emergency and they told me oh its a flu they gave me and iv and i feel better if it was a flu i wouldn't be up and ready to go out. i am discontinuing this medication its like poison to my body my dr just called and said to discontinue it. never take this medication ever again

I took Avalox the 1st night I had a continue cough and my heart started racing. I called my doctor and was advised to take 1/2 a pill. I had a 10 day supply. I took 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night and I felt better while on this drug. Now I can hardly smell and I can't taste nothing. I'm now waiting for my doctor to call me back to let me know how long this side affect will last. If anyone knows please post if you received your sense of smell and taste back and when did you get it back. THIS AVALOX IS THE WORST ANTIBIOTIC I HAVE EVER TAKEN. STAY AWAY FROM IT IF YOU CAN!!!!!!

I just have a feeling of sadness that I can't shake.  Short tempered; slight ache in left side of neck and shoulder but not unbearable.  Just an odd feeling all over.

I had taken Avelox,a full prescribed dose did great, a year later took it again"one pill" (both times for sinus infetion), I was home alone grabbed my phone and crawled to bed my body felt like it was exploding and I was on fire the symtoms passed. A year later took it again "one pill" withen minutes same symptoms but more and worse extreme burning, ringing in ears vomiting, diahrea and I could not breath luckily my husband and son were home  and called 911. I was very unstable when they arrived Extremely low BP, writhering about in pain, breathing extremely labored...they got me IV's with Benadryl loaded me in the ambulance, on the way to the hospital I had to be given epinepherin to bring my BP up (very uncomfortable)!!! Home tonite and will tell everyone I know not to take this CRAP. I pray there are no lasting effects.
Please do not take this medicine. I could go on and on but I feel like I have been through hell, I just wanted to get the word out.

just started it and feel exactly like the rest of you.. cant believe this s#!t is legal

just started it and feel exactly like the rest of you.. cant believe this s#!t is legal

My experience with Avelox: diaherra, abdominal pain, reddness of the eyes and joint pain. I can deal with all of the side effects but the joint pain in my toes is still with me and I've been off Avelox for a week. What started out as tingling of the toes (both feet) then progressed to joint pain to the point I could not touch my toes, they never swelled or discolored it felt like server frost bite. I started exercising again and I'm feeling better (regarding my toes) maybe I have to work it out of my system....

The effects of these antibiotics I am taking for an ear infection are horrendous. I have been taking them for 8 days now and cannot believe it. I was taking them around 1:00 every day but found that by nighttime I had shotness of breath, extreme anxiety, fear of dying, fear of the dark. I had to sleep upwards with the lights on. Did not feel comfortable in surroundings that were poorly lit. Also, felt a sens of doom, very strange feeling. Felt depressed and had sleepless nights. I have lost my hearing as a result of the infection and the dr. Is surprised that I have not improved. I started taking them around 10:00 pm. It seems better for me. Sleeping much better but still have shortness of breath and feeling of doom, etc just not at night.

I just took Avelox with furosemide and I itch all over.

Isn't it something that the very drug prescribed to make you better acutally creates a worse situation?  Was given prescription of Avelox for sinus infection.  Within 10  minutes of taking 1st dose chest, neck and face became bright red and became flushed.  Within 20 minutes was vomiting with diarreha and had trouble focusing.   Blood pressure plummeted to 70/56.  Emergency personnel provided oxygen, IV, benedryl and other drugs via IV.  Left ER with tingling in arms and hands which lasted for two days.  Given prescriptions for prednisone, and pepsid to ward off allergic reaction.  Antibiotics were changed and are working great to clear the infection. Agree with Bev in NC, this is a dangerous drug and should be taken off of the market!  

Was given a 10 day dose to cobat a sinus infection. Took the 1st dose at 10am and felt ok except for being very sensitive to light. However things went really bad at about 11pm the same night. Awoke to find myself sitting upright, heart rate pounding, tingly feeling in my hands and feet, confused and on the verge of passing out. I was cold and felt generally numb and dizzy. After grabbing a lap top and looking at the side effects I convinced myself to relax and rode out the excessive heart beat and feeling of being queasy. My racing heart became normal about 1 hour later.

The next morning I felt fine except for some tingling in my feet and a very dry mouth howvever this was enough for me and I threw the rest of the Avelox in the garbage. I will be making an official report to Health Canada about this product. As well, why on earth would the doctor give me this drug which is obviously so powerful and used as a medication of last resort? If this is a restrcited anti-biotic, why was it given to me for a mere sinus infection?

Background: 55 yr old female, never sick exc for rare cold. No meds (perhaps 10 NSAIDS per year for hormonally related headache).
Got the flu before my flu shot kicked in...kids ok, my flu turned to pneumonia. Can't take PCNs. No other allergies or known sensitivities. 1st dose (took after dinner)...tingly all over, got worse and worse. I was so exhausted I did fall asleep but awoke every few minutes with strange fleeting dreams and restlessness that made it a fitful night #1. Finally evened out around 6pm the next night. Hands still trembling. Still feel weird.

One more chance...pill#2...OMG...tingly lips, dry mouth, sudden onset runny nose and sinus inflammation. That was only the beginning! Knowing my baseline EKG is normal, had I been at work I would have done another EKG on myself...lightheaded, dyspneic, extrapyrimidal symptoms (tardic dyskinesia), headache, foggy brained, blurred vision, insomnia...and palpitations/PVCs.  Would like to see my Qt interval. Justifiably fearful of cardiac  failure, I securely threw out the rest of the med.  If my lungs don't clear I'll just go ahead and die...because I will not take this medicine again.  I hate giving prescribed fluoroquinolones to people...and this is the first time I've taken it. Never again. I know that they are useful to some people in isolated instances...just stick for azithromycin if you have pneumonia...I swear the pneumonia is easier.  You are not crazy, although the DNS ADRs include crazy thoughts and nightmares/weird dreams (if you can sleep at all).

My mom was due to have a total knee replacement on Feb 10, but two days prior to surgery began spitting up green mucus. She has COPD. They gave her 7 day dose of Avelox and today makes the 7th day and she is still producing green mucus. They have prescribed 5 more days so hopefully they can then reschedule her surgery. Any thoughts or comments? I'm very worried!

I was given Avelox for bronchitis.  I took it for 5 days.  1st day I took it my fever shot up to 103 and I felt much worse than I did before - chills/shaking.  A week after I stopped taking it I developed acute pancreatitis and landed in the hospital for several days and out of work for 2 weeks. Could have been worse. The GI doctor attributes it to the Avelox.  This is a dangerous drug and should be taken off of the market!  

i just finished 7 days of avelox but its not the first time i take it .this time after 7 days my elbow started to swell and i went to the clinic and they sayd i have  a bursitis on my elbow but they did not consider the possibility of gout

I took Avelox 400 mg for  10 days for sinuitis and broncitis. I was fine while I was on it. 3 days after taking the whole 10 day supply I had an anpyilantic reaction.  I went the ER twice in a week. They said it was do to the Avelox.. How can this be after I finished the drug....This is a horrible drug and dangerous...My throat was close to closing up my eyes were slits I had a severe swollen rash all over my body...Never again...PS>  I now have high blood preasure as well from so many doses of steroids...

my 90year old mother died of colitis while taking avalox

Took avelox for pnemonia,  was sent into afib, then into chf (heart failure). Horrible drug!!!! Warning!! DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!

104 fever flip out body temp changed, understatement and doc said he was 51/50 nuts crazy but that dru did kill him because dr Rudur and others didnt want to deal with him anymore.  Let celluitis take over and did nothing, which i  requested for Jim. Put a needle in his back to paralye him, wouldnt let him talk, because he treaten to sue them for improper care. Insensitive inhuman sick doctors.Palpitations he has copd, bad drug in the first place.And other bad things it was a nightmare he cried before he died.It causes irriversible nerve damages.They had the balls to laugh at him. And slapped him. He yelled at them.,for good reason ,and doc dont care it should be baned. Garbage  drug avelox and docs.Reverse affects drink xangosteen it repairs nerve damage.and a lot more from china.30 a bottle. All natural.2 oz a day.

I was given Avelox for an  infection at my doctor's office. I was given six sample boxes which read 400mg once a day. After taking this medication I woke up one morning and I could not stop itching, my skin beame tight and there was a burning sensation  through out my body. My finger start swelling, itching and burning real bad. Both of my feet began swelling itching and burning to the point where I went to the hospital for treatment. Before going to the hospital my co-worker had to provide me with men sneakers beacuse of the swelling of my feet and not being able to worker because of the pain. Something needs to be done about this medication it is dangerous.

Horrible drug.  Given in ER after cat bite on hand caused infection. Severe joint pain for weeks.  Could not drive or do small tasks.  Cognative effects worse than joints.  Still suffering to regain normal mental status. It has ruined me.  I was treated with this drug two months ago.  How to reverse affect?  That's what I want to know.     Struggling in NY

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION, YOU CAN DIE....
THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF
i AM 27 YEARS OLD I TOOK THIS BECAUSE MY DOCTOR SAID I MIGHT BE GETTING BRONCHITIS, 5-10 MINUTES AFTER I TOOK IT, I STARTED SHAKING, I COULDN'T BREATH, I COUNDN'T MOVE, AND I HAD PALPITATIONS, THIS IS NOT GOOD I AM NOT ALLERGIC TO ANTIBIOTICS, HOWEVER IT ALSO CAUSED ME TO HAVE JOINT PAIN.. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO DIE...

I suffer from COPD and oalso have a stent.  Just came home from the emergency clinic and doctor gave me 1 Avelox at the hospital and a prescription for 13 days.  THANK YOU to all the people that wrote stating their bad experience, it decided not to take these pills for 13 days.  I took the pill 3 hours ago and I am cold and shaking.  I am 66 years old and live alone.  Right now, I am scared as I cannot lay down and sleep like I wished to do.  The doctor said that I have a beginning of pneumonia.

Thanks for your help

WEEZEE

Took Avelox for 10 days for a lingering sinus infection.  Felt good for a couple of days, went back to the gym, felt great after workout. 2 days later, felt as though my sinus infection might be coming back, blood pressure went up. I do take Altace for hbp, but it has been under good control for a long time. Now I have to take hydrochlorothiazide to control it as well, but don't like those side effects.  I feel like this all started after I took the Avelox. Any other explanations?

I was prescribed avelox for sinisitus. After 7 days I couldnt walk as my ankles were extremely swollen. Every joint in my body hurts, and seem to randomply swell or ache. Knees, shoulders, back, wrists, fingers hips everything. Its been almost 6 months and my hand hurts just typing this. My right wrist si swollena dn painful. I feel tired all the time and my body hurts everywhere. Soemtimes it feels like arthritis. I am 36 year old female.

My dad had what seemed like a severe flu.  We took him to ugent care since it was Sunday.  Xrays showed some water in the lungs and beginning of pseumonia(sp?).  He was prescribed Avelox and 1-2 days later he reported severe pain in the joints and muscle.  By Tuesday night half his body was in pain so bad he could not move.  By Wednesday morning I had to arrange for an ambulance.  They had to remove some water from his hand.  His body showed gout like symptoms which I read is associated with Avelox side effects.  It also said that the Avelox is strong if one has low postassium levels -- those taking diurectics.  My dad has heart problems and surgery so yes he is taking diurectics.  I am scared.  People have been having Avelox side effects months later and ended up in surgery.  Although some people (myself when I was younger) had taken Avelox without problems those (not small number) who are affected have side effects so severe it outweighs any possible good.  The drug should be taken off the shelf.  Most people have no idea that this would happen.  My dad is 84 and so his life isn't so great already.  Now it looks like I will be losing him because of this.  I've read that the pain from Avelox side effects is so bad people committed suicide.  My dad is at the hospital on high doses of morphine and he is still in pain.

Help?  Does anyone know what kind of doctor to see for these side effects?

I have sinusitis and I have lysomucil 600mg in the house. Can i take this for my blocked sinuses, will it help?
Thankyou

I had tremor, pain in all the parts of my body (especially neck, chest and legs), "drunk sensation", and a very bad and brutal acceleration of my heart at 3am (which led me to the emergency service at the nearest hospital...). I felt sick, like having a hangover for about three days after having stopped the treatment.

Concerning the positive effects about my infection: nothing. Quinolones are poisonous drugs, don't take them. My doctor gave me another treatment, a carbapenem antibiotic, which works better, faster and without side effects.

avelox is not working for me
i have back pain, head.che, nervos, anxioty, and my face and body swalo and i feel tender all over my body

i hate this med

Took avelox for 8 days and have had terrible side effects now for 3 months - nausea, dizziness, tremors, pain in my fingers, scik all over, and dizziness - do not take this drug!