Although Levaquin® (manufactured by Ortho-McNeil and Johnson & Johnson and approved in 1996) was initially considered a highly successful and safe antibiotic, its side effects have been found to be potentially very serious.

 

According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA), hundreds of people have experienced tendon ruptures, tendonitis, and other tendon disorders associated with the use of Levaquin®. Levaquin® was initially successful both in terms of revenue it produced and how it helped patients with bacterial infections. However, in July 2008, the FDA issued a black box warning, which is the strongest step the FDA can take short of a drug recall. The black box warning was prompted by the startling number of people reporting serious tendon problems such as tendonitis and tendon ruptures after taking Levaquin®.

 

Levaquin® and Ruptured Tendons

 

People over age 60 and those taking corticosteroids are particularly susceptible to tendon problems and should not take Levaquin®. According to the FDA, patients may notice the following signs and symptoms in their tendons when undergoing a course of Levaquin® :

• Pain
• Swelling
• Inflammation
• Rupture

 

Patients who have undergone heart, lung, or kidney transplants are highly susceptible, and doctors should exercise extreme caution before prescribing Levaquin® to these patients.

 

The most frequent complaint reported to the FDA's MedWatch System involves the Achilles tendon, which requires surgery to repair. Some of the most common symptoms associated with an Achilles tendon rupture are:

• Sudden, severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Difficulty walking

 

General signs and symptoms of tendonitis are pain, tenderness, and swelling. The attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton have seen clients with tendonitis in various parts of the body including:

• Tennis elbow—pain on the outer side of your forearm near your elbow
• Golfer’s elbow—pain on the inner part of your elbow
• Adductor tendonitis—pain in your groin area
• Patellar tendonitis—pain just below your kneecap
• Rotator cuff tendonitis—pain in the shoulder area

 

If you are experiencing pain in any of these areas and have taken the antibiotic Levaquin®, you should seek medical attention immediately. You should not cease use of any drug without first seeking the advice of your prescribing physician.

 

Levaquin® Lawsuits and Litigation

 

Because the nature of these injuries was known long before the FDA mandated a black box warning, your injury or that of a loved one may have been prevented by more comprehensive warnings issued by the drug’s manufacturers. Just a few doses of this powerful antibiotic can result in tendon damage. The pharmaceutical injury attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton have many years of experience and have represented victims throughout the country who have been injured by the use of dangerous drugs; we are currently accepting Levaquin® cases.

 

If you or a loved one was harmed by taking Levaquin®, or any other potentially dangerous drug, please schedule an initial dangerous drug lawsuit consultation today.