Question Title: reaction to an antibiotic

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Speech

Posted by CCF Neurology M.D. on February 16, 1998 at 08:45:32:

In Reply to: reaction to an antibiotic posted by Greg Roertson on February 15, 1998 at 22:42:11:

My wife was being treated for a sinus infection and asthma With Zyflo, Augmenten and sutafed. she was switched from augmenten to levaquin. after only two levaquin pills she experienced paralysis of her arms and legs. after a short time she was able to use them again and went to bed. the next day about 11:30 the problem once again returned ad her right arm began to have uncontrolled tremors. she was take to emergency where the tremors became much more violent and included her right leg. she was given a CAT scan and the next day a MRI with and without dye. All the tests show no damage.The problem is it has now been 3 weeks and d she has been left with a speech problem that as far as we can research appears to be a form of aphasia and in addition to the speech problem she has trouble raising her right leg.she also now has discomfort on the right side of her head above and behid the ear.Can you give any indication of what the combination of the levaquin and sudafed could have done?

Dear Greg,

The symptoms that you are describing specifically right sided weakness and speech difficulties that have persisted, suggest that she may have had a stroke. Levaquin is a fairly new antibiotic on the market. I do not know of any interactions specifically between Sudafed and Levaquin. I discussed the neurological complications of Levaquin with our pharmacist, side effects include tremors and lowered seizure threshold. More importantly, the use of the medication is cautioned in patients with underlying cerebravascualar atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)--this is a risk factor for stroke. Tremors are nonspecific and could also be a mild side effect of the Sudafed or could be due to weakness that has been misinterpreted. It is difficult to say for certain without completing a neurological exam. I do suggest that you get an evaluation by a neurologist as soon as possible. If your are interested in seeing a neurologist at CCF call 1-800-CCF-CARE, ask for the neurology appointments secretary.

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