Has anyone had any experience with the antibiotic Levaquin (generic-Levofloxacin)?

Thankyou!!

Bella, as someone who was hit pretty hard no one knows whether they will be one of the 1% adversely affected by Levaquin until it hits them and then its too late. The only advice I would give is if you have any joint or tendon pain stop the medicine IMMEDIATELY. However, some people have a delayed reaction and side effects don't always start right away. Hope your Father does ok. I wouldn't think the elderly/dementia people are at any higher risk than the general population. I think I read that susceptibility may have something to do with your genetic makeup.

Thank you dear friends.
This will be day 3 today on Levo.
Stepping away from caregiver to him, letting go. Home health nurse started this week, thank you God!!! He's in their care now. We will see how this antibiotic works or "doesn't". Nurse will update me.

I am missing in action 😉

Bella; two years ago, my mom had pneumonia; the NH gave her an antiobiotic and after two days, it was clear that it was doing nothing to treat the infection.

With full fair warnings about the side effects of Levaquin, we gave that a shot. She recovered from that bout of pneumonia and there were no ill effects that I saw from that round of treatment (they had her on a saline drip for most of the time she was on it to counter possible effects on the kidneys).

It did not work on this past round of pneumonia.

Bella there are many folks who can tolerate this medicine fine. Continue what you do best; look after your dad and try the best you can.
You are a wonderful daughter to him- you go above and beyond the basics.
My mom did in fact develop hallucinations from Levaquin and that happened pretty quickly- like Day 2 of treatment and had to be placed on another abx. 
Levaquin is very effective for treatment of pneumonia, however & your dad has been treated with different antibiotics over the course of his foot wound that he may be resistant to those antibiotics & he needs something stronger. 
I hope he feels better soon!

My dad is on his second day of this medicine and now I am very worried about him taking it, especially since he is diabetic

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm500143.htm

FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA advises restricting fluoroquinolone antibiotic use for certain uncomplicated infections; warns about disabling side effects that can occur together
[ 05-12-2016 ] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.

An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically (i.e. tablets, capsules, and injectable) are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together. These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.

As a result, we are requiring the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs to be updated to reflect this new safety information. We are continuing to investigate safety issues with fluoroquinolones and will update the public with additional information if it becomes available.

Patients should contact your health care professional immediately if you experience any serious side effects while taking your fluoroquinolone medicine. Some signs and symptoms of serious side effects include tendon, joint and muscle pain, a “pins and needles” tingling or pricking sensation, confusion, and hallucinations. Patients should talk with your health care professional if you have any questions or concerns.

Health care professionals should stop systemic fluoroquinolone treatment immediately if a patient reports serious side effects, and switch to a non-fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug to complete the patient’s treatment course.

Fluoroquinolone drugs work by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that can cause illness (see List of Currently Available FDA-approved Fluoroquinolones for Systemic Use).

We previously communicated safety information associated with systemic fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs in August 2013 and July 2008. The safety issues described in this Drug Safety Communication were also discussed at an FDA Advisory Committee meeting in November 2015.

We urge patients and health care professionals to report side effects involving fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs and other drugs to the FDA MedWatch program, using the information in the “Contact FDA” box at the bottom of the page.

Thank you, Texas Daughter, for the link to the updated safety warning.

One thing I don't understand is how the government can continue to allow this drug to be dispensed fully knowing how bad the side effects can be.
The other is the hesitancy from the doctors to admit to their patients that the drug is (probably) responsible for all the pain & suffering that I and so many others are experiencing! Aren't doctors sworn to 'do no harm'??? Has the threat of lawsuits become so bad that doctors are willing to sit back and watch their patients suffer so badly?
I've read stories of people who have had to quit their jobs and go on disability because of fluoroquinolones!

This is so over-the-top unacceptable!

My mom was put on it for a UTI. She developed terrible diarrhea, which led to dehydration. They tried to stop the diarrhea, but could not.

Forgot to add that I cannot eat anything with chicken or turkey without getting side effects as they have antibiotic residue in them.

I am with StillSoSad on this. Two levaquin pills just about ruined my body and six years later I still have nerve and tendon problems. The link below is to the FDA warning that was issued in August. I'd say your Mother was just lucky. And by the way I was given this medicine for an ear infection!!
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm500143.htm

This drug was given to me for a chronic sinus infection. It almost killed me.
I was in such pain that I could barely walk, all my joints hurt and my tendons were swollen and I couldn't find any relief.
My doctor had me on Vicodin and then fentanyl patches and still no relief.
I also developed Raynaud's Syndrome.
My thinking was foggy and my memory was shot. I became very depressed and wished I would just die so I could end the pain.
It was the worst experience of my life and even now - over 2 YEARS after taking it - I still experience joint pain and just don't feel 'right'.
I went to every doctor in the book, including a 3 month wait for a rheumatologist, but not one of them ever admitted that it could be the Levaquin.
Only one doctor skirted the issue but never went into depth.

Oh yea, it didn't cure my sinus infection either.

Well, if she is tolerating it, then it is doing its job. My husband had it (with dementia) and it was not a good fit, so I discontinued it. He is still living at 90.

I wasn't thinking about this being a side effect of the drug, but she did have a lot of trouble getting up and down while she was on it. We just thought it was weakness and stiffness from being laid up in the hospital. She has been much more mobile in recent days. Our positive experience with her while she was on this medication was that it seemed to help her memory so much! She stopped asking about going home, she got her personality back! She would laugh and talk and joke just like we remember her doing. I don't know if it's from that medication or just a coincidence. But it was very noticeable! Now that she has been off it for a few weeks, the decline has been gradual but she is slipping back into the state she was in before her hospitalization.

I was prescribed this for recurrent kidney infections. It cause extreme achiness and stiffness in my hips, knees, and ankles and Achilles' tendons. I would have your dad avoid it if possible.

important to read the side effects insert if there are any leg pains. I reacted very badly
to this drug - But that is Me. Just be aware there can be side effects to this class of antibiotics.

Levaquin is a class of drug known as fluoroquinalone. It is a powerful antibiotic and should be used with caution in elderly. You can read the insert that came with the medication. One thing it is known for is tendon issues and ruptures especially of the Achilles. Also it can make a person unsteady or dizzy. However sometimes it is the drug of choice. But it is wise to ask if it is the only option. For instance my dad took it for pneumonia as he is allergic to lots of other antibiotics. Ask the pharmacist as they know much more than many physicians about drug side effects and interactions.

all drugs affect people differently. you should the prescriber.