Tingling Feet Antibiotics: What You Need to Know About Nerve Side Effects

When you take antibiotics, medications designed to kill or slow the growth of bacteria. Also known as antibacterial agents, they’re essential for treating infections—but not all of them are harmless to your nerves. Some antibiotics can cause peripheral neuropathy, damage to the nerves outside your brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms like tingling, burning, or numbness in your feet or hands. This isn’t common with every antibiotic, but it happens often enough that you should know the signs—and which drugs carry the risk.

Medications like metronidazole, an antibiotic used for bacterial and parasitic infections, and fluoroquinolones, a class of antibiotics including ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, are linked to nerve-related side effects. People on long-term courses, especially those with diabetes or kidney issues, are more at risk. Tingling feet might start mild—like a pins-and-needles feeling after sitting too long—but if it sticks around, doesn’t go away after you stop the drug, or spreads up your legs, it’s not just coincidence. It’s your body telling you something’s off.

Not every case of tingling feet means you’ve damaged your nerves. Vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes, or even tight shoes can cause the same feeling. But if you started a new antibiotic and noticed tingling within days or weeks, the connection is worth checking. Doctors often stop the drug if they suspect it’s the cause, and many people see improvement once they do. Still, in rare cases, the damage can be lasting. That’s why catching it early matters.

You don’t need to avoid antibiotics when you need them—but you do need to pay attention. Keep track of when symptoms start, how bad they get, and whether they change with activity or rest. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medication, but don’t ignore new numbness or tingling just because you’re treating an infection. Your nerves matter as much as your bacteria.

Below, you’ll find real-world insights from people who’ve dealt with these side effects, comparisons of antibiotics known to cause nerve issues, and practical advice on monitoring your health while on treatment. This isn’t just about avoiding bad drugs—it’s about knowing your body well enough to speak up before it’s too late.