The antibiotic Levaquin has been associated with side effects that could increase risk of tendon ruptures and permanent damage of the tendon.
STATUS OF LEVAQUIN LITIGATION: All federal Levaquin lawsuits have been consolidated in an MDL before Judge John R. Tunheim in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. It has been suggested that the first cases could be trial ready by January 2010.
Throughout the country, Levaquin lawyers are continuing to review and investigate potential lawsuits for users of the antibiotic who have suffered a tendon rupture.
MANUFACTURER: Johnson & Johnson’s Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
OVERVIEW: Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibiotic that is part of a group of drugs known as fluoroquinolones. Levaquin was approved by the FDA in December 1996,
LEVAQUIN TENDON RUPTURE SIDE EFFECTS: The use of Levaquin has been associated with an increased risk of tendon ruptures, tendon damage and tendonitis, which has left many users permanently disabled since taking the drug.
The risk of tendon ruptures has been associated with all fluroquinolone antibiotics, but the risk appears to be greater with Levaquin.
According to reports received by the FDA, Levaquin tendon ruptures accounted for 61% of all fluoroquinolone-associated ruptures between November 1997 and December 2005.
The most frequently ruptured tendon with Levaquin is the Achilles tendon, in the heel. However, reports have also indicate Levaquin side effects could cause tendon ruptures of the shoulder, biceps, hand and thumb.
The risk of Levaquin tendon rupture side effects is said to be higher among those who are 60 years of age or older
LEVAQUIN BLACK BOX WARNING: In July 2008, the FDA announced that the makers of all fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including Levaquin, will add more prominent language about he risk of tendon damage to a “black box” on the label.
In August 2006, the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA requesting that these stronger warnings be provided, but the drug makers and FDA failed to take steps at that time to warn users. In January 2008, a Levaquin lawsuit was filed against the FDA alleging that their petition had been ignored.
LEVAQUIN LAWSUIT ALLEGATIONS: Lawsuits filed on behalf of Levaquin users who have suffered tendon ruptures or tendon damage allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warnings about the potentially debilitating side effects of their antibiotic. The claims indicate that if consumers and the medical community had been properly informed of the Levaquin tendon side effects, actual ruptures may have been prevented.
If you or a family member has been personally injured because of the fault of someone else: by the use of dangerous drugs, bad products, or toxic injury etc then please contact the Fort Worth Texas Defective Drugs Product Liability Attorney Dr. Shezad Malik. For a no obligation, free case analysis, please call 817-255-4001 or Contact Me Online.
The Dr. Shezad Malik Law is currently evaluating and accepting Levaquin Tendon Rupture Side Effect cases.