[Memakes4]

Tendon damage from levofloxacin during transplant?

by Memakes4 on Tue Jan 24, 2017 6:37 pm

I was in the hospital for 12 days during my autologous stem cell transplant. On the last day, I moved my arm and had the most terrible pain. A few days later I had an MRI and was told that I tore a tendon in my shoulder more than half way through. My husband said he read something about a link to certain antibiotics and tendon problems. My doctor doesn't agree that it was the antibiotics. I was being given levofloxacin (Levaquin).

But how do you tear a tendon lying in a hospital bed? I guess it's rare, but was wondering if it really is that uncommon.

Sometimes I think all this is just making me crazy.

[Multibilly]

Re: Tendon damage from levofloxacin during transplant?

by Multibilly on Tue Jan 24, 2017 9:42 pm

Nancy

I hadn't heard of this potential phenomena until you posted about it. If you read the levofloxacin warnings at this information page about the drug, you will find that you had two of the known risk factors for increased risk of tendon rupture: Being over the age of 60, and taking dexa­metha­sone. I don't know if you had any renal issues, but that is also a risk factor.

This article touches on the prevalence of levofloxacin-induced tendon rupture:

Kim, Grace K., "The Risk of Fluoroquinolone-induced Tendinopathy and Tendon Rupture - What Does the Clinician Need to Know?," Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Apr 2010 (full text of article at Pubmed Central)

The late Lou Ganim also experienced tendonitis while on levofloxacin, but luckily caught it before it turned into a rupture:

Ganim, L, "Birds In Spring: Navigating Myeloma Treatment And Its Side Effects," The Myeloma Beacon, May 17, 2011

[blueblood]

Re: Tendon damage from levofloxacin during transplant?

by blueblood on Wed Jan 25, 2017 10:29 am

Nancy,

My doctors and I suspected Levaquin (levofloxacin) when I had unexplained shin/calf pain. At the time, I was on a cocktail of drugs so there was no guarantee it was caused by the Levaquin. Out of precaution, we put Levaquin in my chart as a drug (the only one) I am allergic to.

Excluding Levaquin from my treatments has not compromised my health in anyway I am aware of today. If I absolutely had to take it, or accidentally ended up receiving it, in my case I don't think it would be the end of the world.

With that said, doctors prescribe a lot of Levaquin for some reason over other drugs.

Craig

[Memakes4]

Re: Tendon damage from levofloxacin during transplant?

by Memakes4 on Thu Jan 26, 2017 5:35 pm

Thank you for your responses and for the article Multibilly. I'm pretty convinced that it is con­nected, even if my doctor isn't. I think it's something people should be aware of, even if it is rare. Ac­cord­ing to the article, tendon damage can occur months after stopping the antibiotic. Oh, and the article is right about it not healing well at my ripe old age. I think you have to expect just about anything with this disease.