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What Causes Severe Left Hand Pain While On Levofloxacin?
Question: My boyfriend is having a reaction to levofloxacin, severe pain is left hand plus tightening of the hand, rib fell like a charley horse and right ankle, what can I do to help relieve the pain, it is 1:40 am here, I cannot reach anyone. Thank you
Brief Answer:
you'd better visit the ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
it's OK to use a pain medication (particularly if it's paracetamol, which is safe at the recommended dose) if that's what you're asking but you'd better visit the ER to exclude serious disorders like a heart attack which may present with similar symptoms. Levofloxacin may cause neuropathy, muscle spasms, etc so I can't exclude a side effect either.
If he also had fever then treatment has to continue with another medication and shouldn't be left for another day.
Does he have other accompanying symptoms like nausea, cold sweating, faintness, low blood pressure or anything else?
you'd better visit the ER
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
it's OK to use a pain medication (particularly if it's paracetamol, which is safe at the recommended dose) if that's what you're asking but you'd better visit the ER to exclude serious disorders like a heart attack which may present with similar symptoms. Levofloxacin may cause neuropathy, muscle spasms, etc so I can't exclude a side effect either.
If he also had fever then treatment has to continue with another medication and shouldn't be left for another day.
Does he have other accompanying symptoms like nausea, cold sweating, faintness, low blood pressure or anything else?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No, he doesn't have any other symptoms like nausea, sweating, faintness of low blood pressure, just severe pain could this be caused from low potassium levels?
Brief Answer:
yes...
Detailed Answer:
Very low potassium levels (close to 2.5mEq/L) may indeed cause muscular damage (rhabdomyolysis) associated with pain and increased serum CPK. In such cases the pain is usually widespread; not confined to a single area that is. It is a potential cause though particularly if his potassium levels are that low. It goes without saying that very low potassium levels are potentially fatal due to arrhythmias that may occur.
The lack of other symptoms makes a heart attack less likely but it is still a possibility.
So in any case (be it low potassium, or anything else) an urgent assessment is required to exclude serious disorders.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
yes...
Detailed Answer:
Very low potassium levels (close to 2.5mEq/L) may indeed cause muscular damage (rhabdomyolysis) associated with pain and increased serum CPK. In such cases the pain is usually widespread; not confined to a single area that is. It is a potential cause though particularly if his potassium levels are that low. It goes without saying that very low potassium levels are potentially fatal due to arrhythmias that may occur.
The lack of other symptoms makes a heart attack less likely but it is still a possibility.
So in any case (be it low potassium, or anything else) an urgent assessment is required to exclude serious disorders.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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