Dear Dr. Roach: I’m writing in to warn readers of a possible side-effect of an antibiotic known as levofloxacin. I was recently treated with this medication for a sinus infection that would not clear up with amoxicillin. After five days of taking the medication, my joints became very inflamed, especially my ankles, and it was painful. I discontinued the medication, but almost three weeks later, I still have pain in my joints.
Levofloxacin, like all drugs in the fluoroquinolone class, has the potential for serious harm. I believe you have tendinopathy , which is among the more serious side effects, partly because it can lead to rupture of the tendon. Although this is reported to be rare , I have personally seen more cases than I would expect to with those numbers. Most people recover in two months, but some cases were reported to last between one to two years.
I hardly ever prescribe this medicine, but I don’t think it should be banned entirely. There are a few times when this class of medications alone can be lifesaving. But physicians shouldn’t be prescribing it lightly. I’m afraid too many physicians prescribe antibiotics for viral diseases too often. Dear Dr. Roach: I have tinnitus, which is very loud and makes it difficult to hear people, especially a group of them in a room. Is there anything that can be done for tinnitus? Do hearing aids help? I mind it the most when I’m trying to get to sleep, but I’m not sure if I could wear hearing aids to bed anyway.Tinnitus almost always happens with hearing loss, but it’s important to test this.
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