Levaquin
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Levaquin
If you or someone you know was perscribed Levaquin and subsequently suffered a tendon tear or rupture please fill out the Free Case Evaluation form to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Levaquin is an antibiotic belonging to the fluoroquinolones class. Also known as quinolones, these drugs are used to treat sinus, lung, and skin and urinary tract infections. Levaquin has proved effective against streptococcus and staphylococcus bacteria of various strains. The drug is prescribed for bronchitis, strep throat, pneumonia, sinusitis, and certain types of skin infections. It drug was developed by Johnson and Johnson and competes with other well known antibiotics such as Cipro, Floxin and Tequin.
There have been warnings about these medications since at least 2001 with regard to patient side effects, specifically in regard to impact on the nervous system. In 2004 the FDA issued a mandate that the warnings included in the medication packaging include this message: "… (medication)…should be discontinued if the patient experiences symptoms of neuropathy including pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness or other alterations of sensation including light touch, pain, temperature, position sense, and vibratory sensation in order to prevent the development of an irreversible condition."
In the 2005 Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR), the essential source of detailed information that can be found in virtually every doctors office, had this to say about Levaquin; "(Potential side effects include)… tremors, restlessness, anxiety, lightheadedness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, depression, nightmares, insomnia, may increase risk for people predisposed to seizures, and rarely, suicidal thoughts or acts."
Some patients have also shown an allergic response to Levaquin, showing symptoms such as rash, hives, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Allergic symptoms of this nature are not uncommon with antibiotics, but joint and tendon problems are.
Evidence drawn from patient experience and post-market clinical studies has been enough to result in some quinones medications being withdrawn from the market. Levaquin remains on the shelves however and recently there has been some publicity on other physical consequences that may be related to the use of the drug.
There have been multiple reports of tendon ruptures, specifically Achilles heel tendons, occurring in otherwise healthy, active people who were taking Levaquin. It is also believed to contribute to tendinitis and cause joint pain due to its impact on tendons.
The reports of side effects have gotten more serious. In April of 2008 the FDA issued a mandate for additional packaging warnings for Levaquin that cited evidence of severe and occasionally fatal liver damage (hepatotoxicity) to patients who were prescribed the medication. These have usually been people over the age of 65 - but have shown no other signs of hypersensitivity to the drug.
The adverse reactions to Levaquin have been varied and serious. The FDA is demanding some severe language as a warning to all patients, and has notified physicians of the potential for fatal Levaquin side effects. It remains to be seen whether the drug will be recalled.
