The FDA has advised people taking Levaquin to discontinue use at the first sign of pain. If you have had trouble walking, bruising or swelling in a tendon area, severe pain that comes on suddenly, or inability move or bear weight after taking Levaquin, you may have a claim.
What is Levaquin?
Levaquin is the trade name of levofloxacin a drug in a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc. a division of Johnson & Johnson.
Members of the quinolone class of antibiotics include: Avelox©, Ciprofloxacin©, Factive©, Floxin©, Levaquin©, Noroxin©, and Proquin©.
Levaquin is widely used to treat Penicillin resistant strains of pneumonia. Levaquin is also used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate, and to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.
Originally approved by the FDA in December of 1996, 100′s of millions of doses were prescribed worldwide. In July of 2008 the FDA required Ortho-McNeil to include a “Black Box” warning against the risk of developing tendonitis and/or rupture of tendons.
Levaquin Side Effects
Along with a wide range of other side effects Levaquin© may cause swelling or tearing of a tendon (the fiber that connects bones to muscles in the body), especially in the Achilles’ tendon of the heel. These effects may be more likely to occur if you are over 60, if you take an oral steroid medication, or if you have had a kidney, heart, or lung transplant.
Symptoms may include: sudden pain, swelling , tenderness, stiffness, or movement problems in any of your joints.
According to the FDA database:
• 262 reported cases of tendon ruptures
• 274 cases of other tendon disorders
• 259 cases of tendonitis
• 61% of tendon ruptures were caused by Levaquin
• Tendon rupture is higher in patients over age 60 (especially those taking steroids)
Ruptures can occur through the Achilles tendon, the biceps, the thumbs and even through the head. In the areas where the ruptures occur there can be pain and inflammation to begin the process until the tendon finally ruptures. Many times, the patients are unaware of the increased risk as they have had this happen prior to the warning being placed on the front of the packaging of this medication. Not only were these patients not aware of the increased risks, but these patients often had their lives changed due to the rupture that occurred, causing the patients to be unable to work and even unable to retain their existing quality of life.
Are you eligible for a claim against Levaquin?
If you have taken the drug and have experienced a tendon rupture that has left you disabled than you may have a claim.
There are hundreds of other patients just like you that have suffered a life changing side effect. The ruptured tendon risk was not outlined to thousands of patients, some of whom suffered through it and are permanently disabled for the rest of their lives. If you are one of these patients, you may be able to seek compensation from the maker’s of Levaquin.
Legal Rights of the Injured
The law in most states provides individuals with legal claims and the right to seek compensation for injuries they suffer as a result of a medication that is defective or fails to perform as advertised. Patients may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses including the cost of restorative surgery, lost past and future wages and punitive damages.
Speaking with an attorney that specializes in personal injury claims may provide you the answers that you deserve.
If you or a loved one had taken Levaquin and feel you’ve suffered injuries or damages, please call us for a free consultation and case evaluation. We, at Taylor Martino, PC are ready to evaluate your claim and assist you in seeking compensation for your pain, suffering, and other physical injuries, the cost of restorative surgery as well as other financial difficulties, resulting from the side-effects of taking Levaquin.
