Anyone had these antibiotics - Linezolid and Levofloxacin?

[owthathurts]

I have a nasty sinus infection that won't clear. Nose has been swabbed and came back that these 2 ABs will help to clear. I have been taking them for almost a week and still have signs of infection. ENT want me to continue taking Linzolid for another 2 weeks and Levofloxacin 5 weeks. I have to have weekly blood tests too. I hate taking ABs, did you find that these AB's worked and if so how long did they take? If not what did you find that worked?

(I am already nasal douching and have loads of other ABs)

First, commiserations on your infection. I've had sinusitis a couple of times and it is extraordinarily unpleasant.

I haven't taken either linezolid or levofloxacin, so I can't really answer your questions. But if these are the only antibiotics your infection is sensitive to I don't think there's much else the doctors can do. They wouldn't be prescribing linezolid if anything else would work.

Both are quadternary antibiotics and should only prescribed on the basis of culture and should be reserved for resistant bacteria that no other antibiotics are suitable.
As such when prescribed you should take them exactly as described for the entire course for two reasons firstly for yourself you have a bacterial infection that is exceptional difficult to treat as far as antibiotics go you are in one of the last chance saloons. Secondly these antibiotics are exceptionally important to the general population and if resistance develops we have fewer options available for very severe mutiresistant infections.
I hope you start to feel better soon.

What are quadternary antibiotics?

I have had this infection since January and had lots of different antibiotics such as Doxyciclin, co amoxiclav, amoxicillion, metradiazonal to name but a few. Guess I am just fed up and looking for a quick fix.

Quarternary - fourth line should only be used on basis of culture identifying that no other antibiotics are suitable.

Side effects are awful, have since seen ENT Consultant and still have infection present although I have noticed a small decrease - not sure it is enough to put up with the ABs. Feel so bleurgh! Will plod on till I see them next week.

Don't take the Levofloxacin if you can at all avoid it. It can cause all sorts of long term problems. This obviously doesn't affect everyone but it's devastating if it happens.
Here is the FDA black box warning for that class of antibiotics.
If you do take them, completely avoid taking NSAIDS at the same time and preferably for a couple of months after as this seems to increase the risk of a reaction.

@maxthemartian that's a supremely unhelpful thing to say - the OP has clearly got a complex infection and has been prescribed antibiotics based on culture sensitivities not sticking a pin in a random list of drugs and thinking 'sod the side-effects'! The FDA advice suggests limiting fluoroquinolone use for 'certain uncomplicated infections' - there's enough in the OP's post to suggest that that is not what they have. All drugs have a side-effect profile. Untreated/multi-drug resistant infections do too.

@OP have you asked your ENT team/GP if there's anything you could take to help with the side effects (eg. if sickness is a problem maybe and anti-sickness medication while you're on the anti-b's may help?).

Walking I unfortunately have personal experience of just how unpleasant this class of antibiotic can be. There is piss poor awareness of the potential risks within the medical community so people often aren't told that reactions can be disabling and permanent.
So yes I do warn people.

Probably not as often as I should as it's a crap feeling to get told off and dismissed when I'm struggling badly with my own health so thanks for that.

It's a London hospital that are advising these ABs, I'm 2 weeks in now, infection seems to be very slowly decreasing (not fast enough in my eyes).

Side effects are still there, I've only been sick a couple of times thankfully although I do feel sick most of the time. I also have a horrible taste, occasional stomach cramps, dreadful wind , sleepless nights and diarrhoea!

Only another week of Linezolid.

Max can I just ask what dosage of Levofluxacin were you on? I am on 1 tablet a day (500mg) for 6 weeks.