Has anyone had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic Avelox that would throw you into a severe Panic Attack?

Question

I took one pill before bedtime and before 3am I awoke with chest pain and pressure, severe hot flashes, dizziness, tingling & numbness in my hands and feet, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, cold sweats and chills. I have never had a Panic Attack before. I was so scared and honestly felt like I was going to die and leave behind my 6 and 4 year old right there on the floor. It's been 4 days since the attack and I am still waking up with shakiness and a sick feeling in my gutt. I have lost almost 7 pounds because I cannot eat and have no desire to. WHATS WRONG WITH ME!!!!!!

It was so bad they had to take me by EMS....I honestly thought I was having a heart attack but the EKG came out fine. When they got me to the hospital they sat me in Triage for 3 hours and all the while I continued to have these attacks over and over again as if you would if you were having contractions for a baby. They never did any testing at all...No blood draw, no urine specimen, nothing. They just gave me Ativan.

I made a follow up with my doctor and he did tell me to stop taking the Avelox and he put me on Ativan and made me an appt for a later date and suggested to put me on an antidepressant.

Ok...Say that is was a Panic Attack...Where do I go from here? How long will I be living in fear of this and will I ever be normal again. I am such a happy person in side and now I feel like I have hit rock bottom....Someone please give me some advice to help me see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Answer 1

it's some kind of allergic reaction, stop taking it and let your doctor know immediately. I get extremely depressed and anxious when taking antibiotics so they can affect people, but not quite to your extent. You need to try a different antibiotic and ensure your doctor makes a note on your file, of your reaction to this drug.

addit - you seem very depressed about this panic attack, you may still be feeling down and anxious even now, it could take a couple of weeks to recover from it. I am always depressed and anxious for a couple of weeks after finishing anti=biotics. Try to view the experience as one very bad and traumatic reaction to a drug but now you're going forward and it will probably never happen again. I too, have suffered repeat panic attacks one after the other but mine was from hormone imbalance. If you're not prepared for them they are extremely traumatic but it should not be something you have to live with any longer, I don't think you've had one since? And i'm not sure why the doc wants to put you on anti depressants? I recommend you finish the course of whatever antibiotic they choose to give you, give your body a couple of weeks more to recover and then see how you feel, you should fully recover. Eat well, get some relaxing time every day take care of yourself and try not to stress - stress will only magnify any background or medication-induced anxiety that's already affecting you.

Answer 2

sounds like a wicked reaction to this drug. call your pharmacist and inquire about it.