Anyone had a serious musculoskeletal reaction to Levofloxacin?

[Mademoidame]

I finished a course of these antibiotics 11 days ago. Yesterday when getting into the car I felt a little click in my ankle and have been in a lot of pain since, especially in the Achilles tendon area. One of the rare but serious side effects of Levofloxacin is tendon rupture and other musculoskeletal problems are possible. Just wondered if it could be related? The ankle is generally not in a good way (I need a replacement and I always have pain, but this is the type of pain I'd get after an injury or surgery, not just if I'd overdone things).

I have a GP appointment on Monday about the pneumonia that I had the antibiotics for. I have strong painkillers at home (prescribed!). Can this wait till Monday? It's possible but painful to put weight on the ankle and walk very slowly.

Fluoroquinolone (sp?) antibiotics have a black box warning and it is well known that they can cause serious adverse reactions 😢

Some people have been very unwell after an adverse reaction, known as "floxxing" in the harmed communities.

Please be careful of taking any other types of these class of drugs.

It would be a good idea to speak to your GP and see what they say. Sometimes these adverse reactions can get better with time.

I'm so sorry you are having these symptoms too. I am particularly wary of medication induced side effects as I was permanently injured by an off label antipsychotic that gave me a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia a decade ago 😢

And yes, they can cause all sorts of problems with tendons I think AFAIK.

Given you have already finished the anti bs, I would wait until your GP appointment and then make sure you discuss it then. Do not forget as if you havehad a reaction, you should avoid this class of antibiotics in the future so it needs to be put on your medical chart

Thanks very much for the replies, and sorry @NooNooHeadthat you've had such a debilitating adverse reaction.

I did know there was a risk but had understood that generally the benefits outweigh the risks when giving this drug for pneumonia.

I have spoken to my GP who called with the results of my CT scan. I definitely still have pneumonia so the Levofloxacin didn't work 🙄 I have been asked to do a sputum test and then start CoAmoxicillin which I've had before. I have an appointment next week so she will change the antibiotics if the test results warrant it. The other one she suggested was Doxycycline which I've taken before but made me feel rubbish. I don't think there are any long term side effects though?

I did tell her about the ankle but she just said it can happen and she'll have a look next week. It's hard to convey the severity over the phone. I think she's more worried about the pneumonia.

I have access to my ankle specialist so I'll contact him if she doesn't take it seriously when I see her.

I took Levofloxcina for pneumonia I have been left unable to walk with severe pain in both legs from the hips to my ankles. I only took 3 tablets then could not walk down stairs. The doctors and physiotherapist I went to see have dismissed my claims totally. I have been told not to look for information on the internet. I am the main care person for my mother with dementia and my father who is 90. I have begged for help. Only to be give a root nerve block injection ( which I had to pay £2000 for ) I was desperate and it has not worked. I still can’t walk 5 months after taking Levofloxcina and I am not on any other medication or h as be any health conditions Perhaps the medical profession need to listen. Perseverance is the only way forward.