Levaquin for Sinus Infection

[MountainReader]

I have had a sinus headache for the last 7 days. I typically get 3 or 4 infections a year. I went in to the doctor and she prescribed me Levaquin for 10 days and Prednisone (3/day for 2 days, 2/day for 4 days and 1/day for 4 days) for 10 days. I usually end up on a couple rounds of Augmentin or Amoxacillin first for my sinus infections. I have never taken Levaquin and was wondering what success everyone out there has had? I had a $50 co-pay for 10 pills and I am wondering if it is really worth it. I guess time will tell.

I am not able to take Sulfa or Zithromax and I didn't have any luck with Ketek in the past.

Background info: For the allergies and asthma, I am currently on a regular Allegra, Singulair, Astelin, Flonase and saline nasal wash. I take Sudafed as needed for a decongestant because I have developed high blood pressure.

[elmhar]

Hi Mountain Reader,

Levaquin is a very potent antibiotic. While it may be just the ticket for your sinus infection, I strongly advise that you research, or talk to a pharmacist, about the potential side effects from this drug.

Levaquin is a strong chelator. It has been shown to remove copper from connective tissure. There have been a number of lawsuits against Lev's manufacturer resulting from fatal or near-fatal strokes & cardiac events related to this antibiotic. More commonly, tendonitis arises as a side-effect of Lev, and it does not necessarily resolve on discontinuation of the med.

My DD, a healthy college student, was Rxd Lev as a first-line antibiotic for a bronchial infection. She had a very serious reaction by the second dose -- prostration, blurred vision, and threatened tendon rupture at 8 points in her body. Two years later, she still struggles with recurrent tendon pain.

IMO, Levaquin may be a great drug to use if one is suffering a life-threatening condition & there are no other options. But you need to figure it out for yourself ... get the info. I'm wondering whether Biaxin might work for you?

Also IMO/IME ... I know sinus infections are very nasty, but I've met a number of people who had a history similar to yours, bad SI 3 to 4 times per yr, who managed to eliminate these recurrent infections. The actual dynamics for each person varied slightly, but there was one underlying theme: treatment that addressed only symptoms tended to make for repeat visits to the allergist & ENT. Treatment that looked at the broader picture of lifestyle, allergen avoidance, and nutrition, was usually the ticket out of sinus-cycle heck for those who conquered it. But I realize this isn't possible for everyone, and also not the inclination of most people.

Best wishes.

[susieq0726]

I agree with the other poster. Levaquin can cause horrible side effects that can cause problems you may never recover from. I had a bad sinus infection last year and my doctor gave me Avalox. (Same antibiotic family as Levaquin) I took only one and threw the rest away. I felt awful after I took it. I went back to the doctor and told him I refused to take it and to please give me something else. He gave me Augmentin (Amoxicillian) for 14 days and then Bactrim for another 3 weeks. My infection was REALLY bad and I needed a longer period of medication than normal.
Some people just can't take that family of antibiotics.

[pugluver31902]

I have used leqequin many times for my constant sinus infections. It usually clears them up right away, and the only side effect I have ever gotten is an upset tummy.

[sneezydiva]

Levaquin cleared up a nasty sinus infection for me that no other antibiotic could touch. It sounds like your doctor thinks your constant infections is really just one infection that hasn't cleared up.

I did get a slight tendonitis from my Levaquin experience, but I was on it for 3 weeks, twice as long as normal, and it cleared up for me.