Yesterday my younger son called from college, telling the doctor had just prescribed Levaquin for some bug that he has been unable to shake. We immediately advised him to return and request a completely different antibiotic.
Wiki tells that levofloxacin is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat bacterial infections. More specifically, it is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with sister drugs such as Noroxin and Cipro. This family of drugs kills bacteria by interfering with DNA replication. Other families of antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins attack other structures of the bacteria instead of inhibiting DNA replication.
Sounds like a sophisicated antibiotic doesn't it? However, Wiki tells us in Adverse effects of fluoroquinolones there are adverse drug reactions in 5 to 16 percent of patients. Although rarer, there are serious adverse effects such as central nervous system (CNS) toxicity and tendon toxicity. FDA orders 'black box' label on some antibiotics tells that in July 2008, the FDA ordered manufacturers to warn patients about possible tendon ruptures and tendonitis. In the CNN article, the FDA stated it had received 'hundreds' of reports of tendon problems correlated to fluoroquinolones.
Almost one month prior to the FDA action, I took Levaquin for an infection. I had only taken two pills and while running on that second day was stricken with tendonitis in my quadriceps and hamstrings so badly that I could barely make it home. Later the tendonitis became much more widespread. I am not exaggerating - it was scary. To read some of the horror stories of other patients, see The Flouroquinolone Syndrome.
It is important to understand the potential adverse reactions to these antibiotics is not an upset stomach or rash, but a real risk of tendon ruptures and other damage. After about six months of exercising in a pool, the tendonitis subsided and I was able to resume running. And I only took two pills.
It is not my intent to bash the pharmaceutical companies - we need new and better medicines all the time. But after my son innocently received a prescription for Levaquin, I decided I should issue a personal warning about these antibiotics. There is a reason that the FDA has issued a black box warning.
Physicians - do not prescribe them unless it is a life-or-death situation. Prescribe another antibiotic.
Patients - Likewise, if you receive a script for Levaquin, ask for something different.
Wow - very insightful post. That is great advice - just because it's the strongest doesn't make it the best. I try to post useful information on Levaquin side effects on my blog, www.LevaquinBlog.com, as it has affected many people close to me. I hope your recovery is going as well as possible.
John
Posted by: John S | October 25, 2009 at 11:12 PM