Levaquin

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Levaquin is the most popular of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones (other popular fluoroquinolones being Cipro and Avelox). Levaquin is used to control many types of infections, from respiratory infections to eye and ear infections. Recently, though, hundreds of people have come forward reporting a serious side effect of Levaquin use: ruptured tendons, tendonitis, and other tendon ailments. The risk is so widespread and so serious that on July 7, 2008 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered that the labeling for Levaquin carry a "black box" warning about the risks of tendon disorders. A black box warning is the strongest warning the FDA can issue about a dangerous drug and is intended to make patients and their physicians carefully re-evaluate the balance of risk to benefit of a drug.

If you or a loved one suffered a ruptured tendon, tendonitis, or another tendon disorder after using Levaquin, you may be eligible for compensation. Please schedule a free case evaluation with The Cochran Firm, Wisconsin to learn more.

What Is the Risk?

Your tendons are tough threads of tissue that connect muscle to bone. Tendonitis is an inflammation or irritation of the tendon. It can lead to pain whenever you use the muscle connected to the tendon. Tendon rupture is when the tendon breaks. This can lead to severe pain and an inability to use the muscle that depends on the tendon. Tendon rupture requires surgery and an often lengthy course of physical therapy. Tendon rupture may also lead to lasting disability.

Commonly affected joints include:

• Ankle (Achilles tendon)
• Elbow
• Groin
• Knee
• Shoulder

If you experience pain or swelling in a joint while taking Levaquin, you should talk to your doctor, and if you experience any signs of a ruptured tendon, such as:

• A sudden loud noise
• Bruising after a tendon injury
• Inability to move

You are urged to see a doctor immediately.

Who Is at Risk?

Everyone who is taking or has recently taken Levaquin is at risk for tendonitis or tendon rupture. This risk applies only to people who are taking Levaquin systematically, such as in a pill, solution or injection. It does not apply to topical or local formulations used to treat eye or ear infections.

People are at an even greater risk if they are:

• Over 60
• Taking corticosteroids
• Have had a heart, lung, or kidney transplant

But remember that everyone who is taking or has recently taken Levaquin is at an increased risk for tendonitis or tendon failure. Tendon ailments have occurred several months after a person stopped using Levaquin.

Do You Have a Lawsuit?

Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to make sure people taking their drugs are adequately informed of risks. The risk of tendonitis has long been known, but has been buried among other warnings, leading many people, including doctors, to assume the risk was minor. The manufacturers of Levaquin, Cipro, and other fluoroquinolones only put a warning on the label after being ordered to do so by the FDA. They might be considered negligent of their responsibility to provide adequate warnings.

If you have suffered tendonitis or tendon rupture as a result of taking Levaquin, Cipro, or another fluoroquinolone, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. Please schedule a free case evaluation with The Cochran Firm, Wisconsin today by calling 1-800-INJURED or using our online contact form.