Levaquin Side Effects & Tendon Damage Lawsuit

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Levaquin (Generic: Levofloxacin) is in a class of antibiotics called fluroquinolone, which have come under attack in recent months as being linked to serious adverse side effects. More specifically, Levaquin has been linked to tendon damage and ruptures in the Achilles tendon, the rotator cuff (shoulder), the biceps, the hand, and the thumb.

What is the Problem?

Recently, Public Citizen petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to add a "Black Box Warning" to Levaquin's packaging and require pharmacists to give patients FDA-approved medication guides that also carry the warning of tendon rupture associated with the drug.

The Number of Levaquin Induced Tendon Ruptures are Startling

Tendon ruptures associated with these drugs continue to occur at a disturbing rate but could be prevented if doctors and patients were more aware of the early warning signals, such as the onset of tendon pain, and switched to other antibiotics.

The FDA must act and require black box warnings and patient information guides - (Source: Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group)

Some researchers speculate that fluoroquinolones are toxic to tendon fibers and may decrease blood supply in tendons that already have a limited amount of blood supply.

Other Antibiotics Linked to Tendon Rupture

Although Levaquin is the main target of our investigation, we are also interested in speaking with you if you have experienced tendon rupture after taking any of the other antibiotics listed below:

• Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)
• Penetrex (Enoxacin)
• Tequin (Gatifloxacin)
• Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
• Maxaquin (Lomefloxacin)
• Avelox (Moxifloxacin)
• Noroxin (Norfloxacin)
• Floxin (Ofloxacin)

Levaquin Tendon Rupture Statistics

The FDA's database shows 262 reported cases of tendon ruptures, 259 cases of tendonitis, and 274 cases of other tendon disorders.

• 61% of the tendon ruptures reported to the FDA was caused by Levaquin.
• 23% of the tendon ruptures reported the FDA was caused by Cipro.

Signs & Symptoms of Tendon Rupture

The tendon most frequently associated to the Levaquin induced ruptures is the Achilles tendon, however Levaquin has also been linked to tendon ruptures in the rotator cuff (shoulder), the biceps, the hand, and the thumb. Below is a brief list of symptoms often associated with an Achilles tendon rupture:

• sudden and severe pain
• swelling and bruising
• difficulty walking

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