O mighty tablets
I mentioned yesterday that treating the pneumonia was going to require “industrial-strength” antibiotics. At the time, I was told only that a prescription was being called in.
Apparently I may have underestimated this stuff. It’s sold under the brand name Levaquin, and in the big boys’ size — 750 mg tablets — it’s twenty-four dollars. Each. (I was prescribed a total of 5.)
And this is a serious sort of drug: it comes with a Black Box Warning that tendons may be inflamed, swollen, or even ruptured. (Oh, joy.) As a result, indicated uses have been cut down to a mere handful, including pneumonia, exposure to hostile forms of Escherichia coli, or — this is the fun one — anthrax. Still, I have to figure that something which will stand up to anthrax probably stands a good chance of wiping out pneumonia.
Incidentally, it’s still on patent, following an extension granted by the government ostensibly to encourage drug makers to develop pediatric uses of drugs. Trust me: you don’t want kids anywhere near this stuff.
rita »
20 February 2009 · 6:52 pm
Yowza, that’s some heavy-duty stuff! I’ve taken it before for an antibiotic resistant sinus infection. Had some really weird side effects…or maybe that’s just me.
Works really well though.
CGHill »
20 February 2009 · 7:30 pm
At the two-hour mark, I’ve experienced only a hollow feeling at my middle, which I treated with 6 ounces of spaghetti.
Jeffro »
20 February 2009 · 7:57 pm
Let’s hope you develop heavy eyelids and a desire to stare at the inside of said lids for an extended duration.
Mel »
20 February 2009 · 8:37 pm
Keep an eye out for a fever. No, not an indicated side effect if I remember right, but post-ruptured appendix I had an extreme fever that cycled right along with taking the meds.
Take a pill, have my fever go UP within 30 minutes to around 105. Near the end of the dose the fever was down. Take another pill, the fever returned.
They put me back in the hospital, took me off the stuff, hooked me up to IV antibiotics … and the fever never returned.
I believe that’s what they call anecdotal evidence, but not proof.
ms7168 »
21 February 2009 · 8:59 am
I just took 7 days worth for a kidney infection. I noted none of the aforementioned side effects. And, thank goodness, my insurance covered it so that I only had to make a $20. co-pay.