Levaquin Drug Information, including Levaquin Lawsuits

Information provided by Levaquin Lawyers at Cappolino Dodd Krebs LLP

Levaquin is an antibiotic made by Johnson & Johnson. IN 2008, the FDA forced the drug maker to put a black box warning — the strongest warning the FDA issues —on its product due to the number of patients who had experienced tendon ruptures.

Serious reports of tendonitis and tendon rupture are on the rise with the use of Levaquin, which finally prompted the FDA to ask its manufacturer to add the stronger labeling. The ruptures generally related to the use of fluoroquinolones involve the Achilles tendon as well as ruptures of the shoulder, hand, biceps, and thumbs. Tendons are the areas that connect your muscles to your joints. The Achilles tendon is at the back of the ankle.

The risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture linked to Levaquin is “especially increased” in patients older than 60, as well as those who have received kidney, heart, or lung transplants and people on “concomitant” steroid therapy.

According to the FDA release, other side effects experienced in those taking Fluoroquinolones include “seizures, hallucinations, depression, heart rhythm changes (QTc prolongation and torsade de points), and intestine infection with diarrhea. Rarely, damage to the liver, kidneys or bone marrow, and changes to blood sugar may occur.”

If you or a loved one was injured after using Levaquin, you may have grounds for an Levaquin lawsuit; please contact a Levaquin lawyer at our law firm today for a free consultation.