Avelox side effects

Prescribed avelox for sinus infection, 10 days worth, have taken 5 days, shortness of breath, weakness in limbs, gaseous stomach, Sinus infection feels a little better, but the shortness of breath has me a little worried. Anyone experiencing similar side effects to this medication?

I had bronchitis (being an asthma sufferer, during a bad cold this is expected). I went to my doctor, who handed me 5 days worth od samples of Avelox (400mg). Approximately 1 hour after my first dose I started shaking, feeling dizzy and nervous, had an upset stomach and abdominal pain and was itching on my knees, wrists, ankles, legs, elbows, arms and neck. I called my doctor who told me it was a mild side effect and to continue taking it. So, I did. Considering that I had been out of work with bronchitis and lacked the time to start a new antibiotic, I decided to listen to my doctor. The side effects intensified. I have now been off of Avelox (which I will NEVER take again) for 4 days and I am still not side effect free. They have definitely lessened, but not completely gone away.

This is a HORRIBLE antibiotic. I implore all who read this...do not take Avelox. Get amoxicillin, Ceclor,, Erythromycin... anything else will do just as good a job without side effects.

I went to my primary doctor last Wednesday. He gave me samples for a 5 day regime of Avelox to treat a head/chest cold. Well, the cold does seem a little better, but, I would have never traded that to the side effects I am experiencing now! I took my first daily dose of Avelox last Wednesday. On Friday I thought I had dry skin. By Sunday I was itching so bad that it was almost unbearable. My eyelids are itching, burning and swollen, my forehead looks sunburned from the itching and scratching, my chest, stomach, back and thighs feel tingly and are itching NONSTOP. I am taking an antihistamine, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. I hope this goes away. I cannot imagine what this drug does to people that have allergies and sensitivities to medications. I have never experienced an adverse reaction to medications before this. I would never recommend this drug to anyone.

AVELOX should be banned from use. I took it last spring for a sinus infection. After only three days it damaged the tendons in my feet and calves so bad I can hardly walk. Now I'm in physical therapy twice a week and doctors won't believe that AVELOX did the damage even though it warns about it on the prescription instructions.

I'm very frustrated, still in pain, and it has cost me hundreds of dollars in bills since then.

Whatever you do, don't take Avelox!!!

I had a cold/sinus infection for almost three weeks, so I went to the doctor on Tuesday and he put me on the z-pak. That night I woke up at 4 am with a server ear infection and drove myself to the ER. They put me on Cipro and ear drops..well the next day I woke up feeling even worse and had laryngitis and it burned to breathe, so on Friday morning I went back to my general doctor and he took me off the cipro and prescribed me AVELOX. I took it this morning (Saturday) and within 15 minutes I had a really itchy throat, and my upper lip started tingling. I had panic attacks, was gasping for air and by the time I left for the ER my entire face had swelled, and my eyes were swelling shut. The put me on an IV drip steroid & IV pepcid, waited till my swelling went down & sent me home with prednisone & pepcid for the next 4 days, and said just to finish off my zpak. The scary thing is that this happened within 15 minutes of my first dose..I think this is a terrible drug! I should have just stayed on the z-pak to begin with!

Hello, I was prescribed Avelox 400 mg by my doctor. I am a healthy male, 34 yrs old, athletic, work out regularly and in lean condition. I had a sinus infection, started using Avelox and on the second day, after a light tricep workout experience wicked pain/ultra rapid swelling in my left elbow approx. 30 mins after exercising. I could barely move the limb and the swelling went down after packing it with ice. I called TeleHealth and they told me not to stop taking it and see a doctor. I went to a walk in clinic, showed the injury to the doctor on shift and he told me I must of over exerted myself during exercising. I was told to continue taking Avelox. I decided it was in my best interest to stop any weight lifting exercises. I decided to do a light cardio workout on the fifth day, 20 minutes at a lower speed than usual ( 2.8 ) and after completing the work out experienced some stiffness in my left knee. Approx. 30 mins later, I experienced the same wicked pain/ultra rapid swelling in my knee. I could not walk and had to crawl to a phone to call for assistance. This was approx. one month ago, now I have pain in both elbows, knees, right shoulder, both forearms close to the elbows, and tennis elbow in the left forearm. I have not exercised since then and my doctor told me to discontinue the med. His advice was to take anti inflammatories and rest. The left knee and elbow swell when I walk or just hold the phone to my ear for an extended period of time. I would like to know what you found during R&D of this med. and how long I am expected to be like this. This is now affecting my social life and restricting me from doing what I enjoy in life and affecting my performance at work.

I was given Avelox July 2007 .. within a week started getting severe leg pain in both legs .. making walking too difficult and painful... This pain has stayed with me 24/7 since I took the avelox over a year ago.. I have been to over 12 Doctors this past year trying to get help...and spent a small fortune with many tests done..now diagnosed with fibromyagia, osteoarthritis, cardioapathy, torn knee meniscus, adrenal fatigue, and i.b.s. which all developed after given Avelox... Not one will acknowledge that I may be suffering from a severe reaction to Avelox ... though they have no answers and have not been able to help me.. I have tried acupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy, and steroid injections.. nothing has helped.. I am now seeing a Holistic Dr. and being treated for many hormone vitamin, and mineral deficiencies .. .I It has been a nightmare year with this 24/7 pain.. homebound.. because too painful to walk..and I also have constant gastric discomfort and insomnia. I feel my body has suffered from a very toxic reaction to the Avelox and just want to warn others out there too.... Please think twice before taking any antibiotics from the quinolone family...There are less toxic antibiotics that can be given.. not worth taking the risk of suffering serious reactions from these very poisonous antibiotics..

This is day 3 of taking Avelox. OMG, I think I'm going to die! I feel terrible. Exhausted, nausea, panicky, like I can't breathe. After reading all these posts, I"m 100% convinced this is from Avelox. I was driving in the car with my daughter yesterday and had to literally pull over because I thought I was going to pass out. I thought it might be a panic attack so (thank god) I took an Xanax and 15 minutes later felt fine. Felt fine all last night and felt great when I woke up this morning. Took the Avelox and wouldn't you know it, 1/2 hour later starting feeling terrible again. I thought I felt bad from the sinus infection...ha...I'll take that over these side effects any day. Please people, don't take this drug. As soon as I can get a hold of my doctor tomorrow I'm done taking this. I have taken many other antibiotics in my life and never had a reaction to them. This stuff is terrible!

A started taking Avelox Sept 18,2008. The first night I could not get warm. I was freezing. I took my temperature and it was 95.0. This is Sept. 21, 2008. I woke up with bad back pain with associated pain down my leg, anxiety, dizziness, my mouth is so dry I couldn't spit if I were on fire, neck pain and tendinitis type pain in my left elbow (always have it in the right elbow already). I have small bumps all over my hands and my skin, all over my body, is so dry it is peeling. I thought I had some severe illness and then found this and other sites about Avelox. I will NEVER take this crap again. I started with a sinus infection and ended up like this.

IMPORTANT: The reason I went on this pill is that my INSURANCE COMPANY would not pay for sinus surgery unless I was treated for a full month! WTF?

Don't take this medication unless the benefits out-weigh the risks! It is a "last ditch" kind of drug. Did it help my sinus infection? Yes, already, but I will not be taking the next dose.

I took Avelox last week for a sinus infection. 3 days after I first took it, I started having severe diahria. I stopped taking the Avelox after 4 days but then I started to have a burning sensation while urinating. It also burns just sitting also. I had to go to the urologist yesterday and he is doing testing. More antibiotics and something for the pain and burning. Has anyone else had this side effect and what was the diagnosis? I am worried about long term damage. Will never take this drug again!

I'm a 35 year old stay at home mom and graduate student. Since taking a 10 day course of Avelox for a nasal cavity infection I have had severe hives for the last three weeks. The hives started about a week after finishing the Avelox course. The doctor that prescribed me the Alevox told me that it is what is causing my skin irritations. I have good days and bad. Sometimes I wake up with swollen eyes and puffy lips. The hives are extremely irritating and look like a chemical burn. They cover about 75 percent of my body. The worst irritation seems to be on my feet, legs, arms, face and hands. The only thing that takes away the discomfort are oatmeal baths; however the hives are quick to return. I don't know how long I will suffer with this skin condition. I am on my second course of prednisone and I take antihistamines around the clock, but still no relief.

I was diagnosed with walking pneumonia and my doctor prescribed avelox. 2 days into taking the med I developed cramps in the lower bowel and diarrhea and I was always tired no energy. I figured that the avelox killed the bacteria in my gut and started taking Acidophiles pills. 7 days into the meds I found this page and immediately stopped the avelox and called my doctor. He put me on biaxin and put a note in my record. NO AVELOX! Well it in now going on 4 week later and I still have diarrhea (explosive) and my doctor is baffled. He is sending me to my GI doctor now. I have Ulcerative Colitis. I am worried that avelox may have caused a flare up.

My wife has been ill and was recently diagnosed with a sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and middle ear infection. She was prescribed Avelox, along with a combination of corticosteroids, a NSAID, and another medication.

Today was her third day, and LAST day of taking Avelox. The adverse reactions began yesterday when she began complaining of body aches and dry mouth. After waking this morning, she found that her entire neck was swollen, stiff, and sore to touch. We believed that this problem was probably glandular, caused by the sinus drainage, and we expected it to subside through the day.

As the day went on, she began to feel fatigued and the soreness continued to increase, escalating to tenderness and a physical pain response to touching her neck.

She took her third dose of Avelox at 9 p.m. and the reactions escalated from that point. Within an hour she felt her lips began to tingle with a numbing sensation, and believed that her tongue was swelling. She also began to feel the soreness and pain spread across her body, extending to her abdomen, arms, and legs.

Luckily, I have a significant amount of medical and emergency response training based on my career, and was previously a pharmacy technician. On top of that, I'm blessed with a father who is a DoctorPh. and has spent over 20 years in hospital pharmacy. I recognized the signs of these reactions and called my dad. We agreed that the Avelox was the problem and gave my wife 50mg of Benadryl.

It is now 1:40 a.m., and the effects are still ongoing, however they appear to be subsiding. In total, my wife experienced: muscle and joint pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling of the entire body, swelling of the tongue and neck, gastrointestinal pain, nausea, body chills including uncontrollable chattering of the teeth, an epidermal pain response to any physical stimulus (even the slightest touch), and also another reaction that I have not seen listed anywhere else -- her entire lyphatic system seems swollen and tender. You can actually feel the swollen nodes across her body (neck, arms, legs, etc.).

I am very thankful to have found this sight. I am sorry that so many people have experienced similar effects, however their stories have assisted me and my wife extremely. Our physicians office will definitely be receiving a complete and detailed account of the experience with this drug. Thank you again!

I went in on a Monday for some ear/throat pain, and was diagnosed with sinusitis and prescribed Avalox 400MG. By Thursday, I had an unrelenting headache, SEVERE anxiety and tremors, and decided to Google "avelox side effects". It's Friday morning, and I'm blown away by the amount of negative feedback this drug is getting. Obviously I've stopped taking it.

Worst part? I called my Dr on Thursday morning, told the receptionist that I was having side effects.....NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HIM. And this goddamn drug has a black box warning from the FDA about severe risk or tendon rupture, etc. I f*cking hate Western medicine.

I took avelox one time, about an hour after I took it I felt like I was having a horrible asthma attack, I couldn't breathe, I tried my inhaler but it was no help. Then I became so incredibly hot and started having these horrible stomach pains. I had to lay down on the bathroom floor they were so bad. I called my mom who rushed over to take me to the Emergency room which is a good thing because by the time we got there I was covered in hives and could not breath and this all started about an hour to an hour and a half after taking avelox.. This stuff is toxic and should be removed from the market immediately if not sooner.

MY HUSBAND HAD A HORRIBLE REACTION TO AVELOX AFTER TAKING 4 DAYS OUT OF TEN, HE CALLED THE DR. COMPLAINING OF MUSCLE/TENDON STIFFNESS AND PAIN. THE DR. DIDN'T SEEM TO CONCERNED SO HE TOOK IT FOR 3 MORE DAYS AND STOPPED AFTER DOING SOME RESEACH ON-LINE. (THANK YOU MEDICATIONS.COM OR HE MY HAVE TAKING THE FULL TEN DAYS.) NOT ONLY DID HE HAVE THE MUSCLE PAIN, HE ALSO SUFFERED FROM, HALLUCINATIONS, EXTREME MOOD SWINGS, WEAKNESS, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS, LOSS OF APPETITE,(LOST OVER 20 LBS.), CONFUSION, PARANIOA, EYES WERE DISTANT(ZOMBIE LIKE). I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO DIE! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY HE WAS PRESCRIBED AVELOX, HE HADN'T EVEN BEEN ON AN ANTIBIOTIC IN OVER 15 YEARS. HE DIDN'T NEED ANYTHING THAT STRONG, AS HE 'S BEEN A HEALTHY 58 YEAR OLD MAN. I TRULY HOPE IT HASN'T CAUSED ANY LONG TERM EFFECTS SUCH AS LIVER DAMAGE. IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH AND A HALF SO TIME WILL TELL. BOTTOM LINE NEVER TAKE AVELOX. 08/16/2008

My husband was hospitalized with pneumonia on July 14, 2008. He was given Avelox via IV in the hospital and a 7 day pill prescription when he came home. Even in the hospital, he complained of muscle aches, but no one keyed on the antibiotic as an issue. When his breathing was better, he assumed he should try to do physical activity...but when he tried to play some golf one day, and do a little deck staining another, he payed for it with severe joint pains...even then, no doctor said anything about the antibiotic. He has lost over 25 lbs since this began, and has lost absolutely all muscle tone in his body..

He's stopped trying to do anything, but the last month has been terrible for him...every joint in his body hurts--he can hardly walk, there were days he couldn't lift a fork to his mouth with one hand... I brought him back into urgent care on Aug. 9th...that doctor was the first to mention that it could be a side effect of the Avelox he had taken 3 weeks before...

Since then, we have been to his primary care doctor, who doesn't think "the Avelox has anything to do with it. Now that I've googled it and seen the new FDA warning, I can't understand any way it wouldn't be at least part of the problem!

He's been give Vicodin for the pain, and they're running more tests, but I intend to go into the doctor with every thing I've seen on this..I don't have a problem with them using this medication for his pneumonia, but am so frustrated that they didn't tell warn us of this side effect--especially when he's tried to tell them what he's feeling.... I just think he would have been so much better by now if they would have switched him off of the drug as soon as he noticed the pain..

just started avelox 400mg daily today -only one dose so far but i am so dizzy and tired i drove 3 blocks and had to return home...im supposed to be on this drug for 14 days because of a stubborn and nasty sinus infection that hasn't responded to biaxin, zpack or anything else...i cant imagine feeling any more wiped out ,tired and dizzy than right now and i just started it this morning.....ive read all the clinical studies and i hope they are right when they say that the bacteria are virtually wiped out by dose NUMBER THREEe

Sorry, meant to say -"The warning packet and the website for Avelox both state not to combine Avelox and Prednisone, as well as using caution when prescribing for the elderly, which i see some of your doctors have NOT done"

Most of these problems i see aren't Avelox related, they're DOCTOR related. The warning packet and the website for Avelox both state not to combine Avelox and Prednisone, as well as using caution when prescribing for the elderly, which i see some of your doctors have done. While I do feel sorry for those of you that have experienced problems and my condolences go out to those whose relatives committed suicide, I have been prescribed Avelox twice for bronchitis and have not had a single problem yet.

On 7-1-08, I went to the doctor for ETD(tubes blocked) and a Sinus infection. The doctor prescribed Avelox for my symptoms. I began taking this in the evening and by the following morning I developed mild stomach pains. I went through the day in discomfort but did not think that I needed to go back to the doctor. By the evening (2nd pill) the pain in my stomach increased 10 fold. The pain would come in waves about every minute. It felt as if someone was sticking a knife in my stomach.

This continued through the night and into the morning. At 8am, on th 3rd, I was back in my doctors office to see what was going on. They told me to stop taking the Avelox and put me on a different medication. I then went and spoke with the pharmacist who suggested that I try some over the counter gas relief medicine. I took the gas relief medication and it decreased the pain to a mild stomach ache.

It is now the 7-5-08 and the mild stomach pains are still here. I thought about going to the E.R. to have blood work done to see if there is some sort of medication that can counter-act the Avelox. I will wait one more day. I will never take this medication again.

My Dad,a 78 year old highly functioning man, was admitted to the hospital last Wednesday evening, June 25, with a case of bacterial pneumonia. They gave him his first dose of Avelox, at 10:00PM. Twelve hours later, he was hallucinating, agitated, had an irregular racing heartbeat. He also had severe tremors, shaking. They gave him more medication for his heart and transferred him to the cardiac unit. They put him on a blood thinner, heart medication. Tested his heart and examined his brain. All tests came back negative. Thank God my father's heart is strong, or we probably would have lost him. 3 days later, I was on the internet researching Avelox, and noticed immediately that all of his problems were side effects of this drug. My family notified the doctor immediately and demanded that they switch my father's meds. The doctors did so reluctantly. They had never heard of these kind of side effects related to Avelox, even though it affects almost 3% of the population. My father had his last dose of Avelox on Sunday. Today, Tuesday, he is still having some "visions" and is confused. I don't know how long it is going to take for these side effects to disappear. The doctors are no help. This medication has caused my father and family severe stress, and prolonged his stay in the hospital. It has cost the insurance company extra money, since they had to do unnecessary testing on my father to try and determine the cause of his symptoms. He was also given additional meds that he never would have needed if they had just prescribed Zithromax from the beginning. AVOID AVELOX - IT COULD KILL YOU!

I was prescribed avelox for mastitis and a UTI. I was fine until after the 3rd dose, I had MAJOR anxiety attacks that would start from my head down through my legs, like a tingling sensation. I felt as if I was going to fall over or faint. I then had tremors or the shakes. Doc said to continue the med after telling him how I was feeling. I then couldn't take the symptoms and went to the ER and they said the same thing, continue taking it. Now my gut feeling was to not take it, but I had a bacterial infection and didn't want that to get out of control, so I took the 4th dose. The next morning, it was the same thing all over again, tingling/dizziness from my head that would run through my whole body, and the shakes again. I went back to the doc and they told me it was safe to stop taking it. It has been 3 days since I stopped taking it and I still feel terrible. Very tired, my head just does not feel right. I hope with each day that it gets better. What a nasty drug this is and For anyone that reads this, please take this warning seriously, you do not want to feel like this. Oh, one more side effect, I had the tight chest also.

First let me say, i have taken Avelox twice before and had NO side effects whatsoever! It worked great on my pneumonia the last two times (a yr apart) and i recovered very quickly. However, this time was different. I usually only have pneumonia once a yr Jan or Feb time frame, this time i have gotten it thanks to an unthinking oaf (who knew we have 7 little ones at home) and came to visit with a rip roaring sinus infection. I get pneumonia when everyone else gets sinus infections, who knows why? This time my dr. prescribed the usual Avelox for 10 days and the very first dose i was ok for the first hour and after that, wham i was in the bathroom with diarrhea and almost immediately began to vomit to the point where i could not control it, and then my hands and feet turned red and itchy was gone the next morning. I feel lucky compared to some of these people, and i have many drug allergies so i do understand it can be quite aggravating, but any time you have any type of reaction to any meds you should IMMEDIATELY discontinue and then call the doctor. any doctor who tells you anything else should be FIRED!! My husband and i are both EMTs and let me tell you, if your doctor doesn't discontinue use of a medication that causes reaction of any kind--let alone a severe one needs to go back to school. Anxiety attacks, etc. that some of these people have had are NOT minor, they are not side effects, it is an allergic reaction, to a medication. If it were me, i would be firing that doctor immediately or getting a second opinion. Common Sense is so rare these days, if it doesn't sound right, it probably isn't. Do not be afraid to shop around for a new doctor, YOU are their bread and butter, You are still a customer and there are so many out there these days you can find one that IS what he or she should be, concerned about You and YOUR health,
not one who speaks over you or disregards your concerns or symptoms! If your doctor keeps you on a medication that you are allergic to--FIRE him or her and find a new one!

My husband is in Nepal right now with a sinus infection. His doc gave him Avelox to take with him 'just in case'. So, with the blessing of the nurse practioner via phone, he took the Avelox. He called me in tears. I've been married for 7 years and believe me, my husband is never 'in tears'...he experienced an initial, intense flush on nausea and then became panicked, hyperventilating, paranoid, dizzy, and weak. I thought he was having a complete nervous breakdown. Then, the more I thought about it...it somewhat echoed a reaction that I had in the past to epinephrine...at the dentists office I was given a beta blocker with epinephrine in it, and immediately began to feel extreme panic, tears, shakiness, shortness of breath yada yada...and I'm someone who really could care less about the dentist. So. it turns out I'm "epi-sensitive" - anyway, upon recalling this...I mentioned to husband that perhaps he is not going insane, and instead is a having a reaction to the Avelox. So I checked online and am blown away by all of the horror stories. WTF? Why is this even being prescribed to people???? Why aren't we getting together a major class action lawsuit? I am just enraged. I called the emergency line to the doc's office...got a different doc, who said he never would have prescribed this antibiotic for sinus/ear infection.
WTF?!
That is specifically what is was prescribed for!!!
He said to take a benadryl and monitor symptoms - and that if there was ANY swelling to get to a hospital, pronto.
Spread the word! We are being experimented on with this drug.
What a nightmare.

I had a really bad case of strep throat because I thought it was a cold or flu and didn't go to the doctor for 12 days...but then I finally went because my throat hurt so bad and my glands were so swollen. I don't have insurance and maybe that's why the doctor gave me ten free samples of avelox right off the bat instead of just prescribing penicillin. I took the first dose and I would say my sore throat and swelling were 80% gone within the FIRST THIRTY MINUTES. So, definitely this is a very strong antibiotic compared to the Z-pak (zithromax) I've taken for bronchitis before. It's now day 4 and I have to say I am reluctant to take it for 10 days!! I haven't had any severe reactions, just bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, and some tiredness. And pretty strong nausea for the first hour, so I have been pushing the dose time from 9am to gradually later at night where I am not so sensitive. I am 33yrs old, healthy and eat well usually so I think my strong constitution has kept me from some of the more severe reactions I see above. HOWEVER, I do feel that it's a bit too strong! Surely there must be some way to lower the dosage of this antibiotic? I feel that it's worked well, but it just is too much like a SLEDGEHAMMER!

I WAS PRESCRIBED THIS MED. 1 WEEK AGO FOR AN EAR INFECTION FIRST SYMPTOM WAS STOMACH PAIN, EVEN THOUGH I ATE WITH IT. THEN DIZZY, HOT FLASHS, REALLY TIRED, DON'T WANT TO GET OUT OF BED. THE PAST 3 DAYS I HAVE HAD PAIN IN MY MUSCLES IN MY ARMS AND MY HANDS ARE REAL SORE WHEN I TRY TO GRASP SOMETHING. I TRIED TO TAKE A WALK WITH MY HUSBAND 3 DAYS AGO AND MY LEGS FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GO, LIKE LEAD. REALLY HAD TO PUSH.MYSELF TO MAKE IT BACK HOME.I FEEL MORE ANXIOUS THAN USUAL. AND WAS WONDERING WHY. WHEN I READ OTHER POSTS, I NOW KNOW WHY. LUCKILY I HAVE SOME XANAX TO RELIEVE IT. MY EAR IS FINALLY FEELING BETTER, BUT I PHYSICALLY FEEL TERRIBLE. I CAN'T WAIT TO FINISH THIS STUFF. AND NEXT TIME, I WILL NOT LET THEM GIVE ME THIS ANTIBIOTIC. IT MAKES YOU FEEL WORSE THAN YOU FELT , TO BEGIN WITH.

I was prescribed Avelox for an infected insect bite. I took my first daily dose Saturday evening. I woke up Tuesday morning with large painful welts covering my neck. They were very itchy and hurt very badly. Today is Wednesday and they are continuing to get worse and spread. I just made the connection today that this rash is likely due to Avelox. Im a healthy 27 year old and Ive never had any allergic reactions to medicine before. The infection in my arm went away quickly, but the rash on my neck is terrible.

I am on my fifth day taking Avelox. Today I noticed some increased anxiety and my ankles hurt?! A throbbing and frightening pain.. both ankles. I've already called my doctor and will go see him tomorrow. I did not do anything strenuous at all that would cause this. The anxiety is killing me!

I am in the family with the 86 year old man that committed suicide because of this drug. He was my father and I will never be able to see him again. This drug caused such severe side effects for him that he did not know what he was doing and killed himself leaving his wife of 59 years, 7 children and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He had everything to live for and had no effects of depression or other problems until he started taking the medicine. The drug made him sicker instead of better. My family has asked that we received a drug screening from the Medical Examiner to determine the combination of drugs that were in my dad's system at his death. He was also prescribed prednisone, which we have since found out should that the drugs should not have been given together. I would like to take this doctor to task for his incompetence in prescribing an elderly man medication that could cause this result. I am very angry at the physician and will pursue legal actions when we receive the Medical Examiners information. No family should have to suffer the loss that we have had and no experience the void that we have in our lives. My father was a healthy, 86 year old man with a family history of living past the age of 100. We figured he had another 20 years to go. I know that my taking legal action will not bring back my father but I would like to somehow make this drug side effects public knowledge so this DOES NOT happen to another family. This weekend is Father's Day and my only way to talk to my father is standing my his graveside. I should not be doing that. I should be celebrating another Father's Day with him at his home. This drug and his doctor caused his death. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG....consult your doctor if he even mentions it in a course of treatment. I would like to be able to present evidence to the Food and Drug Administration of the terrible effects of this drug and the combination of drugs that are given with it. My daughter even said she would like to be the one presenting our family story to Congress during hearing concerning removing this drug from the market. That is my goal....this drug should be removed. I have contacted the Food and Drug Administration and suggest that everyone else do the same. If they get enough complaints, they will have to open a dialog on the drug and some of the families will have the opportunity to speak about the effects of the drug on their lives. I will always miss my father and love him dearly. I know that he was not in his right state of mind when he committed suicide and that the drug caused his actions. My mother found him that day in April when she came home from the store. She will never be the same nor will our family. Again, DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!

I was put on Avelox to treat a sinus infection after about the 2nd dose I felt extreme panic and anxiety. I was then put on xanax to calm my nerves because i was so bad. After about the 6th day of taking Avelox I realized it was this that was making me feel crazy, anxious,depressed,panicy and worst of all my stomach constantly felt like I was on a roller coaster ride!!! I quit taking Avelox on my own, today is now the 3rd day I have been off and I feel better, I will admit that I did have some very minor panic issues prior to Avelox but this medication put me way over the edge. Be very cautious when put on this medication especially if your a nervous type person to begin with!!!

Severe swollen wrist and knee pains, hurts to walk and hurts to do anything with my hands. My Dr. said to keep taking for a couple more days i guess because its thre week-end, but now after reading this stuff, I really don't want to, I have only taken 2 pills.

I am just starting (hopefully) to come off the Medication Ride From Hell. I I am 61 and take estrogen, diovan, vytorin, boniva, and just started back taking Prozac (1/2 dose) after this fiasco. Two weeks ago today I started having pain in my face like I got hit by a MACK truck for 5 days, especially one tooth hurt if I touched it. Then on Tues, I went to dentist, took x-ray, no abscess. So figured sinus infection. Wed I go to have epidural shots in my back for 3 bulging discs. But I had a slight fever and suspected sinus infection, so they would not do an epidural, for fear of introducing bacteria into my spine which could result in paralysis. OH BOY So this doc gives me tramedol 50 mg for pain in 3 of my discs. Eventhough 2 ibuprophens work great, I can't take advil because of stomache issues. I am sensitive to meds, so a little goes a long way. So then back to my reg doc who gives me AVELOX . And now the nightmare begins......At 7:30 pm I took Avelox and 1/2 half of a tramadol (never took either one before). Around 9:00 pm took another 1/2 tramadol. Figured I was tolerating well. At 1:30 a.m. took a whole one. (RX is 1-2 3 times a day) A few hours later I wake up itching all over. By 5:30 a.m. the slightest move I make I am spinning and nauseous. Fall back to sleep, get up and am having vertigo and nausea. I think maybe a little sprite will settle my stomach. I immediately throw it up. My body feels paralyzed with muscle spasms, pain and extreme weakness. Also pain between my shoulder blades, heart palpitations, sense of panic, extreme heaviness in my limbs, headache and continued dizziness and nausea. Felt as if I had a slab of concrete on top of my chest, as if the muscles would not move to let me breath. Call my hubby home. He takes me to urgent care, they started an IV ad then because of "possible heart symptoms" they ambulance me to the hospital. At hospital, they gave me anti nausea meds in IV. The ride in ambulance was a big blurr. My first time in 61 years ever in an ambulance. They confirmed my sinus infection with a CAT scan which probably ruled out some other things too. I leave hospital around 5 pm and am feeling somewhat better, as all meds are now out of my body for about 15 hours. Fri, no Avelox...took a break. Sat, Sun took it and all the symptoms came back except for the vertigo and nausea which was caused by the tramedol. Skipped Monday, to test theory that it is the drug. Take it Tues, within 2 hours symptoms back with a vengeance and major panic attack out of no where, hearting pounding. I am at work so I manage to get through and when I get home I collapse in chair and can't move. Finally Wed I said thats it NO MORE AVELOX. Thurs, back to doc. She gave me Bactrim DS. I am still having some muscle weakness and fatigue. Woke up at 11:30 a.m. and took pill around 2:00, fell back to sleep around 4:30 pm with spasms in upper back and shoulders, causing weakness in my arms. I hope I can tolerate the Bactrim for the next 9 days and my side effects let up. The doctors and pharmacist look at you like your crazy when you tell them what happened. When I found this site I was so relieved when other people described the same symptoms as mine down to the smallest details. Thanks for being here.

I was given a free 10 day coupon for Avelox by a physician to treat an awful cold that wouldn't go away. He also wrote a prescription for, and I got it filled at a pharmacy, an inhaler. Avelox is the WORST medicine I have ever encountered in my 69 years!! I took it for 4 days and QUIT (today) the *^%(% thing. Who wants to be dizzy, crabby, anxious, short with people, impatient, thirsty all the time, constantly gasping for breath, and NO energy at all?
Bayer should be prosecuted, condemned for creating this poison pill. I can't believe this med it is still allowed for public consumption!??

Starting taking Avelox last Thursday (May 29) after having a sinus infection/pneumonia. Sunday afternoon I was watching "one flew over the cuckoo's nest. I started getting really paranoid that i was gonna loose my mind and started a panic attack and plenty of anxiety. Monday I was hanging out with my amazing girlfriend and started getting really anxious and depressed over basically nothing. Today is Wednesday and I'm really dizzy and anxious as I write this. F#$% this medicine, I'm calling my doc tomorrow to take something else... You're not going crazy, it's just the avelox. PS - Good site to find :)

I just finished my seventh day of Avelox today for rhinitis (sinus). The dry mouth and throat is very bad. I wake up about twice a night to drink water. My mouth and throat gets so dry. It even gets dry and sticky throughout the day. I am drinking so much water. I have noticed about an hour after I take it, I get dizzy and become very anxious. I even start thinking about all of my symptoms and begin to freak out. I have had about two panic attacks this week. I do not like the changes it has done to me. I have also been very emotional and sad. I think I have cried about three times this week. I am glad I am finished...no more depression! My sinus infection is better though.

I took Avelox for the first time yesterday evening at 9pm for a sinus infection. I awoke having to pee at 4:30am. On my way back to bed I became extremely dizzy, laid down-felt worse. My stomach was in pain and I felt I had to throw up (although I never threw up). I had chills and hot sweats. I couldn't fall back asleep because my heart was beating so fast. I have a continuous tingling throughout my body all the way to my toes.

Having to go to work at 8am- I still have the above symptoms, as I write, along with swollen eye lids and dry mouth. Driving to work was a chore and my hands while typing this are extremely heavy and somewhat uncontrollable. Meanwhile, my sinus infection is getting better.

I would advise anyone who has sensitivity overall to medications- not to take this drug.

I had very similar problems to Avelox. I was given a 10 day cycle and around the fifty day I started to to feel very tired and weak, dry mouth, My legs feel like I ran 20 miles or more. I was happy to come across this site. Last night I decided to go to the ER and have my self checked out, they ran some blood tests and the found that my calcium, magnesium, potassium, and my electrolytes are a little high. The ER are doc told me that Avelox cold not have caused it because he had looked up the side effects and nothing was related to it. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT. MY DOC ALSO TOLD ME TO TAKE ALEVE, ADVIL. THIS IS NOT RECOMMENDED IT COULD HAVE A SERIOUS AFFECT IF TAKEN TOGETHER. I GOING TO STOP TAKING IT NOW. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE

Awful, terrible, unbearable painful anxiety, panic and depression that just would not let up after a 7 day dose. Each day it got worse and I didn't realize it was the Avelox. It took weeks and weeks to get out of my system, with the help of a doctor. This was truly the scariest ride of my life. I wanted to jump off the bridge to end the suffering but I knew I didn't really want to die, I just wanted to feel better.
I've never been depressed in my entire life. It was an unfamiliar feeling to me. The thought of suicide never entered my mind until this antibiotic.
This experience was unreal and I was robbed of months of my life because of it. So were my boys and husband. I thank god for the peace I have now and that it's over.
Don't take avelox. Even though it helps some, you never know if you'll be the one that will have a rare side effect. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Well, this is obviously a very strong antibiotic. I had a raging sinus infection and was in a lot of pain. The doc prescribed this along with prednisone. I think I tolerated it quite well. I did get side effects though. I didn't have insomnia. I had just the opposite. I was soooo tired that I had to take naps every day that I was on it. I also had heart palpitations where it felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest. It would take my breath away. It made me feel depressed also. I wouldn't take this again unless I really needed something strong. On the plus side, after 6 hours of taking it, I could feel my sinuses start to improve.

I took this after landing in the hospital with mono, strep and pneumonia. It seemed to work well to treat all of those (combined with another antibiotic) but it has bad side effects--dizziness, nausea, rash all over (arms and legs especially...and it gets worse in the sun), and i've also noticed little bumps all over my lips. I'm not sure if this was caused by the avelox or the famciclovir they gave me...has anyone experienced any of these side effects with avelox? I'm especially interested in anyone who has experienced bumps on their lips...

Was prescribed Avelox 400 mg tablets for a sinus infections (second one in a row.) Became severely depressed, crying in public places (and I am not a crier), couldn't sleep, headache and just felt disconnected all together. By day four couldn't take it any more and called the doctor. Was prescribed Azithromycin pack to clear things up.

I am glad I found this website to see that other people were having these same side effects because I was starting to think I was losing my mind.

I've had 4 back to back sinus infections - doctor prescribed avelox for #3 and #4.

I had severe anxiety and depression on Day 7 with the avelox, thought it was the singulair, stopped taking the singulair.

On #4 sinus infection dr prescribed the avelox for 14 days, on day 7 i was severely depressed and anxiety ridden and severe thoughts of killing myself, then looked up avelox and saw the side effects.

Doctor prescribed cipro saying it was not a quinone - same effects, even worse anxiety and depression.

I'm off the avelox and the cipro, now waiting to go to an ent in two weeks and on self prescribed zithromax to get over the sinus infection because the doctor won't prescribe anything

My husband is on dialysis 3 days a week, he went to the hospital for irregular heart beats and a low pulse rate...39 to 48. The Docs found a low grade lung infection......they could not do anything for him heart wise...said no pacemaker, however the discharging doctor prescribed AVELOX 400 MG, KNOWING HE IS A KIDNEY PATIENT. end stage renial failure, with irregular heart beats and low pulse rate....he now has extreme head aches,,,heart rate even worse...........I put in a call to the hospital....no return call.....so I stopped my husband from taking the Avelox 400 mg.

Do NOT take Avelox! As a result of taking it for a sinus infection, I now have acute hepatitis. On Feb. 14, 2008, Bayer Corp., which makes Avelox, notified its doctors in Europe that dangerous liver damage and/or skin rashes can occur in "rare cases." U.S. docs weren't notified. My doc prescribed it to me along with prednisone. Gastric problems began almost immediately, but I didn't make the connection. I thought I just felt so bad because of the sinus infection. My urine turned orange and I became deathly ill. Tests revealed non-viral hepatitis (not contagious, in other words). My liver counts were in the thousands! They are slowly going down, but I have lost two months of my formerly active life so far. I lost 15 lbs. in a week. I am weak and still have problems eating. I was healthy as a horse before. My life was hell for the first month--sweating, itching, dry eyes, dry mouth, couldn't sleep, diarrhea. I still have no energy can can't eat enough to gain weight. You don't want to mess with your liver. I feel lucky that a GI doc has been watching my counts and guiding my care. All you can do is rest and try to eat and stay hydrated. I have a long way to go, but at least I'm not on the liver transplant list--it was that bad before. I am angry that U.S. doctors weren't warned. The side effects listed for Avelox don't mention what happened to me. I am trying to get info on a possible class action suit against Bayer for knowing this drug causes liver failure and not telling U.S. doctors.

I was prescribed Avelox in March for a suspected minor sinus infection, after having already completed a 14-day course of Augmentin with no side effects. After 3 doses of Avelox I stopped because of these symptoms: fever to 100.5, tingling in feet, blood in urine, dizziness, faintness, vomiting, gastritis. A few days later I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), which I will now have to contend with for the rest of my life. Because I was formerly very healthy and had no heart problems, I am convinced the stress of the allergic reaction to Avelox caused the A fib. This drug should be avoided at all costs.

I've been on Avelox for just two days of a five day prescription, for bronchitis. Only side effect I've noticed is increased, uncomfortable-to-painful bowel movements; this is to be expected, though, because a strong antibiotic gets rid of ALL bacteria, the good and the bad, and the intestines are infested with the stuff. This also the reason many women (myself included) get yeast infections from taking antibiotics.

Maybe I'm not having as hard a time because I drink 2 liters of water per day, work out regularly, and take vitamins and supplements with every meal.....? Perhaps it's because the newer antibiotics - Avelox, Augmentin, Cefalexin, Cipro - are simply too much for some people's systems to take....? If I were aged, obese, on medication for other health issues, or were otherwise in less than optimal health, I'd might be having a much worse time of it now.

I was put on Avelox 6 days ago along with methylprednisolone for a severe sore throat, chest congestion, and cough. Since taking the medication, I have had episodes of anxiety, panic (hard to catch my breath which leads to the feeling of panic), restlessness, trouble sleeping at night, nausea, and problems with my memory (I have had numerous episodes where my mind blanks and I forget what I was going to do or what I was in the middle of doing). My emotions have been all over the place since taking this. I have had episodes where my body just feels very strange. I also have had bursts of pain in my left hip. I am only 41 and have never had this happen before. I was attributing it to my illness because I was very sick at first but now the illness is gone (except for a little congestion that is left) and I am stilling having side effects. It didn't occur to me until today that it could be the medication because I've never had any bad side effects from medication except getting sick to my stomach with codeine. I decided to research Avelox and now am convinced about its side effects. I won't be taking my last pill and will call the doctor tomorrow.

I wonder if mixing Avelox and methylprednisolone caused any effects? Haven't researched that yet.

My grandfather at 86-years-old was prescribed Avelox for bronchitis. The warning on the medication listed by Bayer, the company that makes the drug, states that extreme caution should be used when administering to the elderly. He was also prescribed prednisone, which is a drug that is listed that should NEVER be mixed with Avelox. My grandfather took his own life on April 22, 2008, with no warning signs. He was fine when my grandmother left to go to the store and when she returned, she found him. No other family should have to go through what ours has been through in the past nine days!!!! Do not take AVELOX!!!! We just want to prevent one family from going through what we have been through by warning people about this horrible drug. Doctors need to pay more attention to warning labels and drug interaction- someone needs to stand-up and take some responsibility for medications that harm rather then help!

My dad at age 86 was given Avelox for bronchitis, also prednisone. He was on the Avelox for 6 days. Side affects included vomiting, nausea, bad taste in mouth (already had a reaction from Z-pak with an infection in his mouth), tiredness, fluctuations in blood sugar (not diabetic), pain. One minute he seemed to be okay and the next minute he said he was sick. We were not aware of the side affects. Was taken off the medication due to the side affects on the afternoon of Monday, April 21st. Sometime Tuesday morning between 9-10:30 he committed suicide. I am sure it is related to this drug. Please do not let anyone that you love take this drug. It has almost destroyed my mom. and my dad is now gone forever.