Levaquin Side Effects - Tendon Ruptures Prompt Black Box Warning

A leading antibacterial drug has come under increased scrutiny by the Food and Drug Administration following reports of serious injuries to tendons and ligaments linked with its use. Levaquin manufactured by Ortho-McNeil/Janssen is one of the antibiotics known as flouroquinolones, a class of commonly used antibacterial drugs. Levaquin is a third generation flouroquinolone, which was touted as an improvement and safer alternative to Cipro, an older second generation flouroquinolone.  

Levaquin Black Box Warning

In light of the increased risks of tendon ruptures and ligament damage, the FDA has issued a black box warning, the most urgent and severe type of safety warning imposed by the agency.  Public Citizen petitioned the FDA for nearly two years following reports of Levaquin tendon rupture risks and other flouroquinolones.  

Levaquin Ruptures

Tendon injuries most often result from some type of trauma or over-activity.  Tendon tissue is located throughout the body; however, the most common tendon linked with flouroquinolone-based rupture is the Achilles tendon. Reports indicate that the injury often occurred without pain or warning, suggesting a potential toxicity issue. Typically, flouroquinolone injury victims reported pain and swelling prior to rupture, leading experts to believe that injury may be avoidable in such instances by halting use of the drug.  Levaquin tendon injuries have been shown to occur more often in patients over 60 years of age, taking  steroids (corticosteroids), or who have undergone a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.  While the most common tendon injury associated with Levaquin has been an Achilles tendon rupture, there have been many reports of tendinitis and tendon rupture in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb. Cases have also been reported which occurred up to several months after taking Levaquin.

Levaquin Lawsuits

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of using Levaquin, you may be entitled to compensation. Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure the safety and efficacy of their products before marketing them for public consumption. Failure to adequately measure a drug’s effects or alert doctors and consumers to any potential side effects is considered negligent and grounds for personal injury litigation.

The law offices of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz boast some of the most experienced personal injury lawyers Pensacola, Florida has to offer. The lawyers and staff representing AWKO Law are experts in handling cases of negligence by large drug companies. They have successfully represented and obtained substantial compensation for a number of patients who have been harmed by drugs. Contact AWKO law today at 888 255 2956 today to get more information regarding your rights as a Levaquin injury victim.