Levaquin Tendon Rupture Lawyers

By Harvey Kirk
Posted October 29, 2008

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The Levaquin lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the United States who have suffered a tendon rupture as a side effect of Levaquin. As part of the consolidated federal Levaquin lawsuit MDL, attorneys on the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee recently filed a Statement of the Case, which summarizes the Levaquin tendon rupture side effects and Johnson & Johnson’s failure to adequately warn about the potential problems.

>>INFORMATION: Levaquin Tendon Rupture Lawsuits

Levaquin (levofloxacin) is an antibiotic used to treat prostatis and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory and urinary tracts. The drug has been associated with an increased risk of tendon rupture, particularly involving the Achilles tendon in the heel, but also involving ruptured tendons in the shoulder, elbow, knee and hand.

A growing number of Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuits have been filed against the drug’s maker Johnson & Johnson, and their subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals. As tendon rupture lawsuits are filed in federal court, the cases are transferred to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where Judge John R. Tunheim is overseeing the consolidated pretrial litigation.

Levaquin is part of a class of medications known as fluoroquinolones, but Levaquin is one of the most tendon toxic antibiotics in the class. For individuals who are over 60 and those using corticosteriods at the same time, there is a significantly increased risk of suffering a Levaquin Achilles tendon rupture.

As the Levaquin attorneys for plaintiffs in the consolidated federal litigation explained in the Statement of the Case filed with Judge Tunheim:

Levaquin degrades tendon cells by triggering apoptosis, or a programmable cell death, causing tendons to lose their integrity and easily rupture. Levaquin-induced tendon injuries most commonly affect the Achilles tendon – the strongest and most weight bearing of all tendons. Persons most susceptible to Levaquin-induced tendon injuries are individuals over the age of 60 and those using concomitant corticosteroids. The outcome of [Achilles tendon rupture] in persons over 60 is not favorable. Treatment may include a corticosteroid – the very drug that when combined with Levaquin can dramatically increase the risk of a tendon rupture – to decrease inflammation. In the event of a rupture, the leg is often immobilized through a boot or other casting for up to six months and physical therapy is frequently a necessity. Surgery is usually contraindicated in the elderly due to poor recovery rates. Even with immobilization and physical therapy, the Achilles tendons in the elderly rarely fully recover. Immobilized by Achilles tendon rupture, Levaquin victims also suffer muscle atrophy and increased morbidity as their activity comes to a standstill.

LEVAQUIN TENDON RUPTURE ATTORNEYS

If you, a friend or family member have been diagnosed with a tendon rupture while taking this antibiotic, request a free consultation with our Levaquin tendon rupture lawyers. Potential cases are being investigated and reviewed throughout the United States and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. To have a potential ruptured tendon Levaquin case reviewed, request a free claim evaluation.