My baby decided to climb up my torso a few months ago and dug in his little toenail into my belly button giving me a bacterial infection. The dr prescribed me Bactrim but I had an allergic reaction to it and since I'm allergic to Penicillin, he prescribed me Levaquin. It turns out, however, that this drug has a greater chance of causing tendonitis, heart damage, kidney damage, death, etc. I'm too scared to take this drug now!! But given my allergies to the other antibiotics, I'm wondering what my options are... Before I call the doctor, I thought I'd just throw this post out there and see if any of you have had similar concerns/problems and what you have done about it. I'm really paranoid I'm going to die from this drug or have irreversible damage -- there's even a lawsuit going on against this drug and it comes with a black box warning, etc. etc.. My belly button is just itchy and oozing so I feel like the side effects would be worse than the infection! Do you think I could just use neosporin on it =P
Thanks everyone for the advice and support! I feel much better taking it now that I know some of you have taken it with no ill effects and the comments from the RNs were especially comforting. Thanks everyone! Just popped the first pill. Have a great day :)
Levaquin is much gentler on the system than Bactrim. In my experience, both my own and in my practice as a nurse, bactrim often has undesireable side effects. Levaquin, I haven't seen one yet. If neosporin was going to help, the dr. wouldn't have prescribed an antibiotic by mouth.
Levaquin is very safe. Try not to worry...mind over matter. Don't will yourself into a reaction to this medication. It is an excellent antibiotic for skin infections. There really are no side-effects. I have administered this medication to numerous patients...I'm an RN. No problems, ever. Good luck. And, think positive!
I'd talk to a pharmacist as well - don't take our advice as solid medical opinion because very few of us have any kind of medical background.
But, I've worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than a decade and took Levaquin for almost 4 months during chemo because I had no immune system of my own.
At month 3.5, I began to have issues with tendonitis. I can't imagine any reason you would be on the antibiotic that long - chances are you'll be prescribed a 5-10 day course of therapy.
Levaquin is not penicillin-based. It's a different kind of anti-biotic that is very strong and should take care of your bacterial infection effectively and quickly.
The FDA requires pharmaceutical companies disclose all side effects that occur in more than 2% of the population during clinical trials and once it's available to the general public. You don't know the conditions or medical records of the people who experienced those side effects.
I'm sure your physician wouldn't prescribe anything that would do you or your unborn baby any harm.
But, please speak with a pharmacist or two to get their opinions as well as they're more trained on the drugs and the pharmacology.
Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better soon.
when it gets that bad I don't think neosporin will do it. You need to just put on the big girl panties and take your medicine. If the infection gets worse and spreads it could be MUCH worse.
An infection that is bad and not treated can lead to bigger health issues, please just take the medication. Since the doctor knows your history of alleriges he knows what he is doing.
Neosporin is for cuts that are not effected yet, it heals prevents... an infection that has already taken place is a completely different thing!
My father had a VERY bad reaction to Levaquin. It started to destroy his tendons. You could try taking it and if you have any pain in your achilles heel tendon, stop taking it immediately. That was the first sign that my dad had.
Hello there!
I am allergic to PCN too and Bactrim makes me so sick! I take Levaquin almost anytime I need an antibiotic and I have had very good results with it. They just recently added the black box warning to Levaquin and Cippro (sp) and it is precautionary. It's good that the FDA is keeping tabs on the safety of medicines, and they warn the public at large when even a small percentage of people may be affected by a certain set of side effects. You are wise to try to make an informed choice, just remember that an untreated infection can cause many problems too.
If you are too worried to take it, be honest with your doc and ask for another alternative. It won't be a question he's never heard before!
Good luck and speedy healing!
Christi
Hi,
I would recommend taking the medicine first, but one thing you can try is an antibiotic ointment you can find in the firstaid section of your local farmacy. You may want to call the doc and ask him if he recommends a spacific brand or dosage,. I have taken Lavequin many times and had no provlems. Don't just let it go, infections can spread and you really want to get rid of it ASAP.
Best of luck to you.
Blessings,
A. P
I am also allergic to penicillin and other antibiotics. I have taken Levaquin with no problems. I would get the infection cleared up so it doesn't turn into something worse.
Victoria
Updated
I am also allergic to penicillin and other antibiotics. I have taken Levaquin with no problems. I would get the infection cleared up so it doesn't turn into something worse.
Victoria
