Avelox and sinus infection

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!

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

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.

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 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 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!!!

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.

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'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

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 highly suggest taking Avelox with food and LOTS of water. I took 2 pills without food and I was sick to my stomach but it passed quickly. It works great...my sinus infection is clearing up after 3 days!

OMG. Started taking Avelox and a cough pill at the same time. Thought the shakes were from being tired from not sleeping since I've had a sinus infection and coughing all night. Wondered if it was just in my mind. Went to the doctor. Told me to stop taking the cough pill. Sent me to the hospital for EKG. Called back and wants me to go to a heart specialist a.s.a.p for changes noticed since last EKG. Scared me badly. I'm only 42. Looked this up on the internet. Told pharmacist about problems. He said he never had anyone have any of my symptoms. Said to stop taking Avelox and drink a lot of water to help flush it out. Won't get out of my body for over 24 hours. Don't think our emergency room would have any clue how to help me since it isn't an allergic reaction just a side effect. Evidently most people who had trouble with this horrible drug have survived to write about it which gives me hope that I will too.

I am very scared right now and concerned, but recently I have been sick for the last 3 weeks or 4 weeks. I went to the doctor about 2 weeks ago and he prescribed some Amoxicillin for my sickness. He said he couldn't identify what I had so he gave me a broad based anti biotic. For about a week I took it and didn't get any better. The medicine caused me to get dizzy spells after sleep and before sleep. So this week I went back to the doctor and he said the medicine wasn't helping me and my white blood cell count had gone up. So I had to get some blood taken . Then the nurse couldn't find my vain easily. She managed to get a little blood though and took it for lab samples. The doctor came back and said I needed to take some Avelox and gave it to me. So for about two days I took it and I felt ok, but later the second day I started having a panic attack for no reason. I told my dad I needed to lay down.

After that, my dad made me some food and I laid down and watched TV and the feeling soon left. I was really feeling sick so I got a cold rag and put it on my forehead. I was looking forward to my mom coming home from Wednesday night church. I fell asleep for about 30 minutes. Then my mom came home and woke me up and we talked for a bit and then I went back to sleep.

Well, today I got curious about my medicine and looked it up and found out some terrible news. The medicine I am taking has actually landed people in the hospital. I found a site where people who had taken it posted what the side affects were. They all had reports about having anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and muscle aches.It was then I realized that my medicine is what caused the panic attack the day before. I called my dad instantly and told him about the bad side affects. He didn't really seem to care that much. He listened to me though, which is a step up from my mom. Then I called my mom and explained to her. She just ignored me and didn't care. I was crying and I felt so terrible and frustrated. I was just trying to explain to her that my medicine caused very bad side affects and even thoughts of suicide. She didn't really seem concerned though, she said she'd call my doctor and talk to him about it.

Right now my parents and I are just really stressed about this whole thing. I refuse to take my medicine because of it's dangerous side affects... but if I don't have any medication at all I won't get better. I'm just in a really bad situation and I am just so depressed I feel as if I could burst!! Everyday I feel like utter crap and my vision is screwed up and I don't have an appetite so I have to make myself eat. Also, my white blood cell count keeps getting higher and if something isn't done soon what I have could be very dangerous.

I keep praying to God... but it doesn't feel like he hears me. I am in great emotional pain, my parents are never home and I'm lonely the majority of the day to , and being sick doesn't help. I am starting to experience a bit of the thoughts of suicide.I keep convincing myself I need to live and I'll get better and I don't need to die. It's hard though I am fighting with all my might to keep it away.

BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD! I took this drug today and thought i was going to die from a heart attack. I began getting palpitations and then it progressed into a full blown panic attack. Thank god I had some Xanax to bring down the side effects. But now I just feel out of it and foggy. I almost called 911, it was that bad. I felt like I couldn't breathe, like there was something standing on my chest. I called my doctor right away who said they had no other samples, that Avelox was the only thing they are really getting right now. That seems really odd to me that a drug like this is on the market with so much negative press and yet its all our physicians have on hand for people like me with no insurance. PLEASE DONT TAKE THIS DRUG, it is terrible...

Sinus infection and chest congestion: doctor knew I was on HCTZ, a diuretic, as well as Zyrtec and Nasonex. The HCTZ I now known is an agent that should have triggered a modification of the treatment protocol. First night on the 400 mg Avelox, during conversation at the supper table, a black cloud of depression suddenly descended upon me like a curtain. Then I became extremely irritable and short-tempered. (Hard to blame on a drug, except that this came out of the blue right when I was feeling mentally and emotionally happy and relaxed, enjoying my husband's companionship. No reason for depression, irritability and short temper, especially to such an uncharacteristic degree. This was severe!) No sleep whatsoever that night due to shivering without getting warm, feeling like my whole body was crawling, feeling terrible frustration and anxiety and depression. Had taken the Avelox with my supper. Second night: unable to breathe through nose at all. Nasal passages so dry they hurt. I decided to abandon Nasonex and Zyrtic but never thought about stopping the HCTZ (the info insert from the drugstore never mentioned that). Insomnia and feeling electrified. Again, the feeling of total body crawling and restlessness. Irritable to the max. Frustration. Wound up sitting up most of the night to avoid waking loved one with my tossing and turning and misery. Third night, I took the Avelox early, at 5 p.m. Had been having to turn on the shower and steam up the bathroom to moisturize my nasal passages enough to bear the painful dryness. Also began using Ocean Mist to ease the pain. Despite the dryness, my nose was still too stopped up to breathe. Heavy sinus congestion and pain not any improved yet. Dozed some that night but a phone call came at midnight for my husband and after that I was wired awake again. I am desperate for rest. This is the fourth day and finally I'm coughing less and the congestion is coming up. But my sinuses are harder than ever to empty. Mucus extremely thick and sticky (sorry for the graphic quality of this post). One very severe side effect is that I am now incontinent. I never make it to the bathroom in time to urinate and so am wearing pads. Having to change them every time my bladder begins to fill. Leaking, dribbling and now gushing urine without any control whatsoever. I have just read the full prescribing info and wonder why on earth was I not given a safe antibiotic (I realize everything has some risks and side effects, but why was I exposed in this way to such a dangerous drug without a life-threatening disease to require its use?) This is an outrage. Now I"m stuck finishing the script or else my infection will be back worse than ever and then I'll be given yet another bad drug. I have only one clue to this question: I was asked what my Insurance company was just before the script was written. I cannot help wondering: what if I'd had no insurance, or another insurance? Would I then have been given a less-expensive and much safer, even safe drug? If you are ever asked just before the script is written what your insurance company is, ASK WHY THEY NEED TO KNOW. They will probably tell you it's so they can pick a Preferred drug. That would be a bogus answer, because after I told them what my insurance company was, they never went and looked for a list of preferred drugs! They simply swiftly wrote for Avelox! I was never told any of the bad effects. Now I fear getting the colitis, the tendonitis (no one told me not to exercise!). I even fear permanent incontinence. I also think that this depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and the horrible restlessness and whole body crawling sensation could be lasting and that really makes me feel very depressed. My husband has had to suffer with days and nights of my irritability and temper -- and he has cancer and I never wanted to ever be cross or complaining or to worry or burden him. This medicine is not worth it. THere are safer better options. DEMAND BETTER OPTIONS. I also wonder if the HCTC or Zyrtec or Nasonex taken on the same days could have damaged my kidneys or liver. I really think that antibiotic resistance is the ultimate bad side effect of this drug. What could be worse? Why is this being used for garden-variety sinus infections? Why is it not an option only for those who must have it or probably die of some life-threatening illness? This medicine needs more than a black box. This medicine should be available only to doctors treating patients who are in danger of dying of an illness. I have had doctors give me black box medicines before and I was spineless enough (and ill enough with severe, recurrent sinus infection) that I took the medicine. But from now on, never again. There are still better options and I deserve the safer options just as much as the next person -- no matter what my insurance coverage is! Doctors don't hesitate to use black box medicines anymore. Why do they hesitate so long to prescribe medicines without black boxes? They say it's because of the new resistance to antibiotics and the super bugs. Well now I'm susceptible to super bugs PLUS all these other severe side effects have to be endured. If anything else goes wrong, I'll come back and add another post. Meanwhile, I'm praying for each of you to make a full and speedy recovery.

had a sinus infection after a cold- z pack did not work - was given prednisone and 21 days of avelox - after 7 days had a lot of dizziness and lightheadedness - feeling hot and warm - tongue feels hot and inflamed and worst headaches - no more sinus infection - stopped the drug - anyone know how long it might take for headache to abate after stopping this drug.?? please email me at marlenie1955@yahoo.com. thanks.

I took one Avelox on Friday March 21, 2008 to treat a sinus infection and within 5 minutes my face, back and arms turned beat red. As I looked in the mirror I could see that my lips were very swollen. Within 10 minutes my entire body was beat red and I was extremely itchy especially my head and back. I figured I was having a reaction to the medication so I took a Benadryl which did not seem to work until I took the second dose. I ended up feeling sick the entire day and really achy from head to toe. I had terrible pains in my stomach and every time I stood up I felt as if I were going to fall back down. I was very dizzy and felt just out of it. I was also sneezing nonstop. I went to the doctor and was told that this medication works well for a sinus infection but one of the side effects is an allergic reaction. I have not taken another one since Friday but today is Sunday and I am still a bit red, still itchy (especially my head), still dizzy and still feel out of it.

I started taking Avelox on Tues for a sinus infection. For the past few days I have felt "out of it" very tired and depressed. At first, I thought it was the sinus infection, but I have had enough of them to know better.
I have talked to my doctor and three pharmacists which have all argued that Avelox is well-tolerated by most people...but it sounds like it can really do a number on a few. I took 3 doses and I'm DONE! I hope I feel better soon!

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus infection. After taking one pill, I woke up that night with my heart racing and from that through myself into a panic attack. I was at the Doctors office today for an EKG (came back normal). I was told to never take this drug again. Now almost 24 hours after taking just one dose, I am still experiencing heart palpitations and an anxiety feeling. I feel like I drank a whole pot of coffee and ran a marathon. Don't take this drug!!!!! I'm wondering how long it will take to get out of my system??

I have never experienced a negative side effect to any medication until Avelox. I was prescribed a 5 day dose of Avelox for a sinus infection and two days into it, I am lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous. I am experiencing difficulty processing thoughts and am suffering from insomnia. I would not recommend this antibiotic to anyone.

I was prescribed this drug on a Wednesday for a sinus infection. By Saturday I could not stand up, was disoriented, dizzy, fatigued, and in general felt like crap. I did not take one on Sunday. I went back to the Doctor on Monday who told me I had fluid on my ear and that was why I was having those symptoms and it was not the medication. He gave me another round which I took around 3:00 p.m. on Monday. By 10:00 p.m. I had the dry heaves, could not stand up, was extremely dizzy, nauseated, fatigued again. I did not sleep any on Monday night. Tuesday morning I flushed remaining drug down the toilet. I has taken me 4 weeks to get to feeling some better. But, for the past several days, I have been having a crushing pain in my chest and upper body. I'm convinced it was from the Avelox. Something needs to be done to get this stuff off the market. I will never take this stuff again.

I took Avelox for the 1st time 3 days ago for a sinus infection. After the 1st pill I began sneezing uncontrollably. I didn't sleep a wink that night. I took my 2nd and 3rd dose the next few days and literally had not slept for 3 days straight-total INSOMNIA. My hands and legs felt so tingly I had no idea what was happening. I felt faint. Then my mouth became so dry. I couldn't breathe-all I kept thinking was my throat was closing up. It was horrible. My teeth hurt, my lips were swollen and dry,my vision was blurry,vomiting,loose stool.... My eyes were sore and swollen and I had no idea I was having an allergic reaction to the Avelox. Today is the 1st day I haven't taken a dose and I'm still feeling funky. Tight chest and blurred vision bad.I am severely fatigued. I just wonder how long this medicine stays in your system.

i took it due to sinus infection as well. i felt like i had to throw up the whole 14 days i was on it. it was awful and i assume i was allergic to it b/c the pharmacist told me to stop taking it immediately. this pill is the worst thing i have ever taken, and i don't get sick from meds either.

I was prescribed Avelox for a sinus infection and bronchitis. I didn't have any problems with the Avelox until after the second dose. By the third dose, my abdomen was extremely distended- to the point that I could barely eat b/c the pressure from my abdomen was pressing into my chest area and caused trouble breathing. I saw my doctor after the 3rd dose and explained how bloated I was. She told me that sometimes antibiotics upset your stomach. I was told that I didn't have to take any more of the Avelox (which I wasn't planning to take anymore anyway). It has now been 8 days since I've taken Avelox. I am still bloated. I think the bloating is slightly better. But I'm still miserable and wondering when I will feel better. I dread eating because I know I'll feel worse when I do. I'm just thankful that I haven't had some of the other reactions I've read about here. I'll never take Avelox again.

I was given this drug for a sinus infection. It has made me nauseated, dizzy, incoherent and feeling like I have been drugged. I can hardly stand up. I took a total of 5. This drug is poison. Do not take it. I keep feeling like I will get better since it has been 2 days since I have taken it. Symptoms still there. When will it end?

I was given Avelox for a sinus infection and bronchitis 2 days ago.
I have COPD, CNS, STROKE, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY and other health conditions and wasn't feeling well at all.
My first pill made me feel out of it and then my lips started to tingle and felt numb.
I asked my brother to look at them and he said they looked ok to him.
I also have pill a phobia so I thought maybe it's just my imagination? But...
I got on the net and seen all the post's and though I was told these side affects were rare ...I seen they aren't that rare!!!!!
I tried calling my doctor to get a different medication but could not get a hold of him.
I was sick and not able to get a hold of my doctor ,so I took the pill the next day and my lips did the same thing but worse....this time they swelled up and the inside of my lips are raw.
I called the pharmacy and they said to stop taking them I was having an allergic reaction to them and I need to take Prednisone and Benadryl right away.
I called the doctor again and still no response!!!!
It took the pharmacy all day to reach him themselves to help me!!
Finally, they got a hold of him at 8:30PM.
Today I am now taking amoxicillin, Prednisone and Benadryl.
The swelling has gone done, but my lip's are still raw and I feel very shaky.
I will never take this medication AGAIN!
With all my health conditions I do not no why my doctor gave me this medication!!!
I find that doctor's love to hand out all these new medications like candy.......when they don't know anything more about them than what pharmaceutical companies tell them.
They do no research on them themselves!!!

I was given Avelox after sinus surgery in August. I called the doctor told them I felt awful sick and nauseated. He switched me to another antibiotic. Here I am in December still not better been on at least two other antibiotics since the bought in August. I started Augmentin 3 weeks ago and had horrible itching after about a week being on it. Went back to my Doctor who out put me back on Avelox. Took the first dose at about 9 am within 30 minutes my throat was itchy and I was breaking out in hives and went into a panic attack. Took Benadryl as well as was prescribed Xanax for anxiety attacks still going on. I don't know if it is the fear of my throat closing but my pharmacy now has warnings for me for Penicillins as well as Avelox related drugs. Never had drug reactions before ever now . Went back to ENT put me on Medro pak which after seeing an allergist recommended. He also wanted me on Biaxin but I am not taking it at this point. There are allergy tests for drugs I would recommend and anyone experiencing any side effects to be checked after reactions to Avelox after reading this board I realize I was having an allergic reaction the first time in August and never should have been on it again.

I took Avelox 2 months ago for 7 days and experienced dizziness and fatigue, my sinus infection cleared up but for the next 2 months the dizziness and fatigue did not go away. I couldn't figure out what it was until I got another sinus infection and was prescribed it again... This time I have had crazy anxiety attacks, it feels like a thousand pound person is crushing my chest, my heart is racing, my neck is stiff, my joints hurt, my head has constant pressure on it. I feel like I am going to go to sleep and not wake up. I have had psychological issues and emotional outbursts. I have lost complete function and control of my body. My arms jumped while I was trying to eat, and couldn't even grab a fork. I feel like I am dieing or going to die. Its just crazy... I wouldn't recommend anyone to take it.

I took a 10 day Rx of Avelox 400mg for a sinus infection the day after Thanksgiving. I am a 60 year old male. Since then I have had a throbbing headache on the right side of my head. I also had severe tightening of my neck muscles. I went to a chiropractor (first time ever) and he put in the sweat and bake machine and then manipulated my neck. I have had 4 sessions of this and my neck is back to normal. The headaches remain. I went back to the same medical group (different Dr.) to see about the headaches. After a complete exam he could find nothing. (we didn't talk about the drug - I had no idea of the complications). Now I am scheduled for CT. I will let this forum know if it was the drug.

After telling the "new" doctor about my cardiac arrhythmia's due to a valve replacement, he prescribed Avelox for my chronic sinus infection. I usually carefully research any new drug due to interaction with my Coumadin. I've taken all sorts of antibiotics and know they thin the blood so didn't give Avelox a second thought. Within 4 hours of my first dose I was in my cardiologist's office getting an EKG with severe atrial fibrillation. Apparently, this class of antibiotics is NOT good for people with history of cardiac arrhythmia and does something to the "Q" wave. I will research every drug before I take it from now on, no matter how benign it seems.

I took this yesterday after suffering with asthma problems off and on the past couple of months. After two trips to the doctor, the final consensus was that I had a sinus infection, and that the continuous dripping into my chest was causing the chest congestion.
Anyway, within one hour of taking avelox, I had a full-blown anxiety attack ....I was dizzy, lightheaded, my head felt like it would explode, had diarrhea, couldn't breathe, and thought I was dying. I almost called 911. After about 4 hours of this I took half of a 1 mg lorazepam pill to calm down. I continue to feel completely unwell all evening, shaking and anxious. I finally took a hot bath, and a full lorazepam, which allowed me to sleep. I am telling you that the whole afternoon and evening was a harrowing experience. I am also wondering if the side effects were exacerbated by the Astiliin (nasal spray) I took, since this morning that drug made me feel extremely groggy and tight in the chest.
I will NEVER take this drug again,and now I am so afraid that I am scared to take the zithromax the doctor prescribed in place of Avonex, even though I have used zithromax in the past with no side effects.
At this point, I am ready to consult a naturopath or acupuncturist to help with my condition - most of these new-fangled drugs seem to cause more problems than they "cure".

I started taking an Avelox prescription (10 day) last Saturday, October 23, 2007. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and had finished a Zithromax prescription for a tonsillitis 48 hours prior to that. I guess the previous infection had spred to my sinuses. On the third day, I started getting dizzy spells and was getting 2 second jolts of pain in my head once in a while like a sudden headache that would just dissapear. My ears would block and unblock cause of the sinus pressure so I thought it was normal for me to feel light headed or get suddden headaches from sinus pressure. On the fifth day, I had a very bad dry cough, and my chest felt like it was crushed. There again, I thought since I had the tonsillitis before, I was caughing alot so I might have a set back cause of the sinus infection and the weakened immune system. What started to worry me was this afternoon, my tongue started to feel raw like as if I burned it with a hot coffee, and when I looked in the mirror, had red spots. I decided to look up some info on the internet and discovered this site. I will go to the doctors and see what I have to so since I still have 3 days left to go. Thanks to the others for the info.

Tanya, Montreal, Canada

Hello All..I hope my experience can be slightly helpful to anyone reading this..I am a married 31 year old woman with 2 children. I was suffering from a sinus infection for around a week, maybe a week and a half..Now first,let me tell you,I am not one for doctors..I go when I am pregnant and if I am really really sick, otherwise..I am an over the counter kind of girl heh but because I was experiencing bad symptoms ( burning smell in my nose, pressure etc) I decided to go in. I went in on Saturday (believe that was Sept 29th) and saw an associate of my "regular" doctor. He checked me and confirmed what I believed to be true, a serious sinus infection..Now because I am a selfpay patient, my doctors usually will try and helpme out with samples of meds they may have, which I always do appreciate..This time he gave me a free voucher for a 10 day supply of Avelox. Now mainly because I have never had a bad reaction to any antibiotic ( I normally take amoxicillan and erythromycin ) I didnt think anything of taking that voucher and getting on the road to better breathing. I filled the script that afternoon and began the first dose..Nothing specific happened right away, but later that night I started to get a real bad headache, I am prone to headaches here and there so again I thought nothing of it..Went to bed and woke up that sunday still with the headache but it was worse..During the afternoon decided to lay down, take a small nap, hoping I would wake up feeling better, but when I woke up (and mind you, I have taken the 2nd dose of avelox by this point) I felt HORRIBLE! I couldnt breathe, my chest was tight, I was lightheaded, dizzy,nervous/anxious..I felt like I was jumping out of my skin. Clearly the worst experience of my life. I managed to try and keep calm,did breathing exercises and waited until Monday morning to go see my doctor and of course was not about to take any more of this crazy med.. (This attack went on and off for around 14 hours). When I went in on monday, I was still feeling ill and having some of the symptoms but did feel better compared to the night before. My doctor confirmed I reacted very seriously to the medication and went on to tell me that she has had patients commit suicide after taking it >.sinus infection. I would rather smell the burning, believe me.

This morning ( Oct 5th 2007 at 5:10am) , I am feeling a bit better, the symptoms had lasted on and off all week..I had no appetite until yesterday, which I actually ate 3 good meals. I was bloated,anxious, nervous, lightheaded..I also had/have a bit of insomnia..just really really sick.. I am hoping I will continually feel better. But this was indeed a truly scary experience. My doctor informed on 2 remedies that are natural...for the bloating and gas pressure and discomfort,she told me to get acidophilus.which is "good/friendly" bacteria to replace the ones the antibiotic killed off. She toldme to take this for around 2 weeks. And for the insomnia and anxiety/nervousness she told me to get Valarien,again all natural to keep me calm,it is a natural mild sedative. I hope this will help someone out there because I had read through every post I could find this week to try and help myself and keep calm. Good luck to you all and please, warn others about the risks and dangers of ths horrible medication aka POISON :(

I went to my doctor this past Thursday because I was experiencing ringing in my ears for about a month. No other symptoms other than the ringing - and it was just quite annoying. Doc put me on Avelox and Prednisone for a sinus infection. Took the first dose Thursday and the second Friday morning. Within and hour, the back of my head and neck were so full of intense pressure and pain. I felt dizzy, unsteady, sweaty and panicky. Called the doc who said that I wouldn't react that fast, and it was probably just part of the sinus infection. Continued to take both drugs all weekend, but still felt the intense pain and pressure after taking the Avelox. Last night, woke up around midnight with severe panic attack, disorientation, pain and pressure in the back of my head and neck - Scary! I called my doc and I told him I'm not taking it anymore. I had NO symptoms when I went to see him and left with more "stuff" going on in my head now! I'm going to see an ENT now.

I was percribed Avelox on Sept. 25, 2006 for a sinus infection. I'm used to these because I get them frequently due to my high allergies. I know that people have different reactions and I know that my sever reaction was suppose to be rare as the side effects section says, however, what I experienced I pray to God I never experence again and consider myself lucky to be alive.
I took the first pill (10 day perscription) at 3:35 on my way to pick up my son from school. Within 5 minutes of taking it my crotch felt like it was on fire, and itched bad! My first thought was "I didn't use a publlic restroom, so I can't have crabs" Things only got worse for me. I was at my son's school five minutes later, and by then my ear lobes were burning, and my vision was a little blurred, my hands were very shaky, and they were so swollen that my finger tips were white and I could barely bend them. I walked into the school to get my son and told him something is not right and mommy needs to go to the hospital, so I was going to get back in the car and try to drive myself, but as I pasted to office again, I peeked in to see if the school nurse was still there, her light was off so I told my son she is already gone. How she heard me I don't know, but she said no I'm still here. Two minutes later I started vomiting, and shaking even more. When she took my blood pressure it had already dropped below 80 or 90 over 40 or 50, and my heart rate was above 125. This was all within 15 minutes of the first dose. She gave me medication for an allergic reaction. The I felt like my stomach was being eaten from the inside out, and I was itching hororably. So bad infact that I made myself bleed a couple of times. The nurse watched over me and kept taking my blood pressure and pulse for close to an hour and a half. She let me go home when it was back above 100's over 60's. She was somewhat discusted with the doctor's office reaction that the medication should not have effected me that quickly, but it did. Like I said my reaction is suppose to be rare. It is just another thing to add to my allergy list. I pray others don't react the same.

I was prescribed Avelox on December 21, 2005 for an ear/sinus infection that would not go away despite taking other antibiotics. I took the Avelox about 9:30pm that night and 20 minutes after taking the first pill the stomach cramps started and I rushed to the bathroom, while on the toilet I started vomiting in the waste basket, then I felt (the only way to describe it is a burning) in the middle of me body and it seemed to start to spread outward. In a few minutes I was drenched in sweat (my hair was dripping wet) and I started to tremble. I made it out of the bathroom and yelled to my husband that we needed to go to the ER. By this time I was starting to have trouble breathing - my throat didn't close or anything - the feeling was in my chest, felt like my lungs wouldn't expand and I was gasping for breath. Instead of calling the Ambulance my husband drove me to the ER which is less than 10 minutes from the house. When I got to the ER all I was able to say was Antibiotic Allergy and they started giving me shots. I lost consciousness (sp?) and when I woke up some 30 minutes later I was having convulsions. The ER Doctor said I was going to be all right but I was a very lucky girl - couple more minutes and I would have died. The gave me massive doses of epinephrene and steriods to conteract the Avelox. They wanted to hospitalize me but it was 4 days before Xmas so I pleaded with them to let me go home so that Christmas wouldn't be ruined for my 3 small children. Almost was a disasterous Xmas, thanks to Avelox. Later learned that Avelox has a high incidence rate of allergic reactions --- Anaphylatic Shock -- So people beware READ the information carefully before taking any medication.