Levaquin® and Avelox® Injuries
Levaquin® and Avelox® are common types of fluoroquinolone antibiotics prescribed in the United States. They are strong antibiotics used to treat a number of bacterial infections including acute bacterial sinusitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, chronic prostatitis, and some types of gastroenteritis. Yet, these two medications may have life-changing side effects. Studies show that these drugs damage the lining of the aorta – the largest blood vessel in the body. This damage is can result in aortic dissection (tear) and aortic aneurysm (rupture). If a rupture occurs when the aortic wall bulges or enlarges, it can be life threatening and fatal.
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics & Aortic Aneurism
Researchers have analyzed data on 1,477 people who had an aortic aneurysm who took fluoroquinolone antibiotics between January 2000 and December 2011. According to the study, fluoroquinolone antibiotics may damage collagen in connective tissue, which increases the risk of tendinitis and aortic aneurysms. The research found that individuals who used quinolone antibiotics were 2.4-times more likely to have an aortic aneurysm. The article about the study is published in JAMA Internal Medicine in Nov. 2015. About 15,000 people in the United States die from aortic aneurysms every year.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“After propensity score adjustment, current use of fluoroquinolones was found to be associated with increased risk for aortic aneurysm or dissection (rate ratio [RR], 2.43; 95% CI, 1.83-3.22), as was past use, although this risk was attenuated (RR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.18-1.86),” the researchers said. “Sensitivity analysis focusing on aortic aneurysm and dissection requiring surgery also demonstrated an increased risk associated with current fluoroquinolone use, but the increase was not statistically significant (propensity score–adjusted RR, 2.15; 95% CI, 0.97-4.60).”
“While these were rare events, physicians should be aware of this possible drug safety risk associated with fluoroquinolone therapy,” they concluded.
Levaquin® and Peripheral Neuropathy
Levaquin® and Avelox® have recently been linked to peripheral neuropathy. This nerve disorder occurs when nerves in the body become damaged and are unable to effectively communicate with each other. There are over 100 separate and distinct forms of peripheral neuropathy known, depending on which nerves have been damaged. Some of the symptom of peripheral neuropathy may include:
•Pain
•Burning
•Tingling
•Numbness
•Weakness
•Change in sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature
•Change in sense of body position
•Loss of reflexes
•Paresthesia
•Muscle wasting
•Paralysisceptible to ruptures, which can be fatal.
Levaquin Side Effects
Here is list of potential Levaquin and Avelox side effects:
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Aortic aneurism
• Aortic dissection
• Collagen disorders
• Muscle weakness
• Tendon ruptures
• Central nervous system disorders
• Cardiovascular collapse
• Life-threatening skin reactions
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
• Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
• And more
FDA Warning on Levaquin® and Avelox®
On August 15th, 2013 the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication notifying the public it has required the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs be updated to better describe the serious side effect of peripheral neuropathy. This FDA Drug Safety Communication stated that serious nerve damage can potentially be caused by fluoroquinolones. The safety warning stated that injury from Levaquin® and Avelox® may occur soon after these drugs are taken and may be permanent. The FDA issued the statement because earlier warnings did not adequately describe the potential rapid onset of the disorder. According to the FDA:
“In some patients the symptoms had been ongoing for more than a year despite discontinuation of the fluoroquinolone. Several patients were continued on the fluoroquinolone drug despite the occurrence of neuropathic symptoms.”
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Start by contacting a Levaquin® and Avelox® Lawsuit attorney right now. We are here to listen, assess, and potentially help you find a way to financial compensation related to injury that Levaquin® and Avelox® may have caused. Call us toll free at 1-855-566-4648 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation today.
We put your needs first and there is absolutely nothing to lose by a simple phone conversation with an experienced case manager in Levaquin® and Avelox® lawsuits. We are here to help you gain more financial independence that may have been lost among the medical bills or high expenses of medical care related to your injury.
We can help you plan your future and relieve some of the burden Levaquin® and Avelox® may have caused. All you need to do is make the first call toll free to 1-855-566-4648 or go to our contact page and submit your information. Our consultations are free of charge and completely confidential.
This website is not sponsored by or affiliated with Sanofi-Aventis, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, or Bayer AG in any way; the lawyers responsible for this website are not affiliated with Sanofi-Aventis, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, or Bayer Pharmaceuticals. Levaquin® and Avelox® are registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers (Sanofi-Aventis, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, or Bayer Pharmaceuticals) and/or their affiliates.
http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2451282
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm365050.htm
