Suggest Treatment For Severe Cough And Breathing Difficulty While Having Upper Respiratory Infection

Question: Hello, Doctor. I had an upper respiratory infection in April which went into early pneumonia, as diagnosed by doctors via chest X-rays in the Emergency Room of my local medical center on April 16 and 17. I had a bad cough and extreme shortness of breath. On the first visit I received a nebulizer treatment and was prescribed prednisone short course of treatment and doxycycline 100 mg x 2/day. The next day I had to come back because it was just as bad and my family doctor was out of town. I was then prescribed a longer course of prednisone, given another nebulizer treatment and IV fluids which I had also been given on the first visit. Then the following Friday I followed up with my family doctor's practice partner who gave me another nebulizer treatment (at my request since I was still having trouble breathing and coughing a lot) and a long course of Levofloxacin (Levoquin), 500 mg x 10 days at 1 per day. I was also prescribed on the first ER visit Mucinex, 600 mg x 28. I have finished all of the above, except the Mucinex. I stopped taking it when I got better and wasn't coughing so hard and so much. My question is: Now after the full course of Levofloxacin, I have a problem with my tongue which started while I was taking it. My taste has been significantly impacted and the tip of my tongue is sore and tender when I eat. I looked this up on line and saw that this is one of the less common side effects of this drug. I had thought the Mucinex was causing it which is another reason I stopped taking it, but still have the problem. Do you know if this is a permanent condition, or is it something that will go away in time? I have been off the drug for four days now and still feel the effects of it. I know it's a strong antibiotic but wasn't expecting this impact to my tongue and taste buds. I'd appreciate knowing if I can look forward to this going away soon. Thank you very much.


I asked my family physician about this yesterday, but she didn't provide any help to alleviate it except to tell me that the Prednisone has this as a side effect as well and could also have contributed to it. So it's wonderful to be able to get a second opinion. I will go and buy the Daktarin as soon as I can. The medications (Prednisone and Levofloxacin) did their job and I am a lot better. However, this has become a real problem and I'm so glad there is a solution. Thank you so much, doctor. XXXXXXX XXXX