Is Levaquin The Right Medicine For UTI?

Posted on Fri, 2 Dec 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 2 Dec 2016 Answered on

Sat, 24 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a urinary tract infection. Have sub normal temperature. Feeling hot and cold and back and forth. Slight burning urine. Primary care dr prescribed yesterday nitrofurantoin twice daily 100 mg. I'm 72 with advanced kidney failure. Symptoms are not abating. Many years ago this condition went systemic and levaquin cured it quickly. My heart dr said stop sotolol (for a fib) for 24 hrs before using levaquin. Would the levaquin be an effective treatment. Now the weekend and I had my last levaquin last evening 20 hrs ago. Is levaquin safe for me? XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
What is your temperature? How often do you urinate!

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Levaquin is definitely a stronger antibiotics but nitrofurantoin is good enough to treat most cases of urinary tract infection. I will like to review your temperature readings and frequency of urinary tract infections to make sure that there are signs of improvement. 20hours after last sotolol dose is good enough if we were to start levaquin right away. First, let's determine if there is real need for levaquin.

I hope to hear from you at your earliest convenience and promise to respond promptly with more insights.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (11 minutes later)

My temperature has been consistently 97.5 to 98, always sub normal. But feel cold and hot and back. I'm urniating frequently since I'm forcing water and lemon beyond thirst, every hour or so. These are my typical symptoms of this, bladder and or prostate infection?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Your temperature does't support possible systemic spread!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The temperatures are not in support of a possible systemic infection. I will suggest that you rather continue the drugs and continue monitoring the temperature. I will for sure get very concerned if you report temperatures of greater than 100F.

Let me know how this turns out. I will not recommend levaquin at this time based on this.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (43 minutes later)

Thank you. I will take your advice and hope I can beat this nasty infection back! I'll keep you posted. MJC.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (30 hours later)

Brief Answer:
How are you feeling now?

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Any new developments? I wish you well.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (26 minutes later)

Still no fever. Antibiotic appears to be working as symptoms are diminishing, though not gone entirely. Visit late last week to gp Doctor, he prescribed the antibiotic. While there, the attending nurse told me of interstitial bug that made the rounds through the office. Looks like I've now picked that up from the visit. Bad nausea Saturday morning believed to be intestinal. Trace nausea tonite. I think that it's may have run its course. Down through the years my UTI's are often associated with stomach and or bowel distress for me. Tuesday I go to nephrologist to draw blood and dr appointment follows on Friday. Hoping my creatinine is low enough so as not to have to start dialysis. I hope all this UTI and stomach issues don't mess up my blood levels. Considering hi dose vitamin c for my heart disease (4 bypass 3 1/2 yrs ago. Reading up on Linus Pauling and Matthias Rath.....sounds encouraging. Will ask dr Friday if vitamin therapy is safe with my kidney issues. Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for teh updates!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the updates. I wish you a speedy recovery. Am not sure this would have messed your creatinine levels.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar