Levaquin Lawsuit
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Levaquin Lawsuit
The antibiotic Levaquin has received two demands from the FDA to modify its packaging language for the medication since it was approved for sale. The side effects of this drug include the usual allergic reactions of nausea, skin irritation and dizziness. However it has also caused stronger reactions in patients that have been characterized by the FDA as "symptoms of neuropathy including tingling, pain, numbness or weakness or (other) alteration of sensation…"
The Levaquin side effect that has drawn extensive attention however is the repeated occurrence of tendinitis or ruptured tendons suffered by otherwise healthy individuals taking the medication. Joint pain, stiffness and restriction of movement due to pain have all been noted but the repeated occurrence of ruptured tendons - in particular, Achilles tendons - has caused serious concern at the FDA.
There have also been consistent reports of liver problems among people over 65 who were prescribed Levaquin. In some cases, Levaquin has had fatal effects due to this condition, known as hepatotoxicity, and in September of 2008 the manufacturers of Levaquin were directed to put a "black box" on the packaging of their drug warning of these potential side effects.
Over thirty lawsuits have been filed in federal court by plaintiffs who have suffered ruptured tendons. The suits, filed against Johnson & Johnson, have been gathered together in a Minnesota district court under a rule that provides for Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). These suits are in addition to three suits filed in the state court system in Minnesota.
More litigation is sure to follow, but the early cases in this sort of liability issue are called "bellwether" cases because they tend to set the value attached to damage incurred by the plaintiffs. There may be additional federal cases added to the Minnesota MDL, as the court is at this point going through the pretrial hearing process sorting out evidence issues and developing the guidelines for the trial process.
The cases generally allege that Johnson and Johnson failed to provide adequate warning to users of this medication of the potential side effects. One issue that apparently has yet to surface is the fact that Levaquin also interacts with other medications causing difficult side effects. Once Johnson and Johnson’s liability is established regarding Levaquin side effects, undoubtedly there will be suits regarding the adverse effects Levaquin causes in conjunction with other medication.
