levaquin and sulpha

[Barbwyre]

Is Levaquin related to sulpha drugs in any way? I just found out that I am allergic to Levaquin and my family has a strong history of sulpha allergies.

[myproblem]

Levaquin is not a sulfa drug. It is in a class of drugs called fluoroquinolones. Levaquin has a long list of possible side effects, and is higher risk than most antibiotics. The Levaquin website says "You should not take LEVAQUIN® if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any of the group of antibiotics known as “quinolones” such as ciprofloxacin."

http://www.drugs.com/levaquin.html

http://www.levaquin.com/about/levatab.pdf#zoom=100

[Harrisonma]

I think the manufacturer of Levaquin should do further research regarding the link between allergies to sulpha drugs and Levaquin.  I too am allergic to sulpha drugs and recently had a very bad reaction to Levaquin.  The allergic symptoms were very similiar to what I experienced with sulpha drugs but more severe.  I also did not see a warning about taking Advil with Levaquin in the patient prescription information provided by CVS which I've read online can aggrevate the reaction.

[[e-mail]]

I just had my first dose of levaquin last night and I too am allergic to sulfa (amoxicillan, morphine, iodine and shellfish as well ..lucky me) and within 30 minutes my throat closed up and I could barely breathe...I lost my voice first..thought I ate a hot pepper in my pizza or something..then the corner of my eyes started itching, my lips became red and swollen. I have NEVER had an allergic reaction this bad before!!! Thank god for the ambulance and E.R.! I felt I was going to die right in front of my 2 kids and I'm a single mom!

[kkq]

I am also allergic to all sulfa drugs, morphine,iodine, asprin, non- steroidal anti-inflamatrory drugs. Yesterday, I went in a tanning bed for 5 minutes after taking levaquin several hours before hand  and had severe anaphalaxis. I began to itch and before I could even get my pants on, I passed out and was un responsive.  When I woke up in the tanning room.myy body started convulsing  and I continued to slip betweeen concious and unconsious states.  I was having trouble breathing.My vision was tunnel or non existant and  I finally was able to get the door open for help. I got a first class ride to the hospital in the ambulance. My body was swelling up and so flushed that it took 7 attempts to get a IV in me.This was the worst experience of my life and if I had been alone I think I would have died. I also am the mother of two small children. the thought of dying scared me to death. I have never had this type of reaction before and this is not the first time that I have taken levaquin. I do think that there needs to be more research between this drug and sulfa drug connection. The only time that I have had the itching and swelling that happened at the beginning of this reaction was with sulfa drugs.