Levaquin Achilles Tendon Rupture Side Effects Still Not Sufficiently Disclosed
Since Levaquin was introduced in 1997, Johnson & Johnson has failed to adequately warn about the risk of tendon ruptures side effects associated with the antibiotic, particularly involving the Achilles tendon. Although a “black box” warning was announced in July 2008 for all antibiotics in the same class, Johnson & Johnson still does not indicate that Levaquin is more tendon toxic than the other drugs in the class.
Levaquin (levofloxacin) belongs to a group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. It is manufactured by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, for treatment of prostatis and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory and urinary tracts. Other anti-microbial drugs in this class include Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Tequin (gatifloxacin), Floxin (ofloxacin), Penetrex (enoxacin), Factive (gemifloxacin), Maxaquin (lomefloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), Noroxin (norfloxacin) and Trovan (trovafloxacin).
Floxin (ofloxacin) is Levaquin’s predecessor, and the two drugs are so pharmacologically similar that the drug’s makers even indicated when they filed their New Drug Application with the FDA that Levaquin side effects would mirror those of Floxin. Therefore, they knew or should have known over 10 years ago that Levaquin would be as tendon toxic as Floxin, with an increased risk for people over 60 and those using corticosteroids at the same time.
Despite their knowledge, Johnson & Johnson introduced Levaquin in 1997 without adequate warnings about the risk of tendon damage side effects. Only a passing mention of the Levaquin tendon damage risk was made, and it was buried in the adverse reaction section.
In 2002, the warning label was updated, but they did not specify the increased risk among the elderly and used confusing language. At that time, the warning indicated that the “risk may be increased in patients receiving concomitant corticosteroids, especially the elderly.” This choice of wording seemed to indicate that elderly users of the drug who were not on corticosteroids did not have an increased risk, when the manufacturer knew that was not the case.
The Levaquin warning label was updated again in 2007, when the indication that the risk “may be increased” was replaced with “is increased”.
In July 2008, the FDA required that a black box warning be added prominently to the labels of all fluoroquinolone antibiotics about the tendon damage risk. They are also now requiring the makers of these drugs to provide a Medication Guide, which specifically outlines the risk of a tendon injury and the fact that immediate medical care should be sought on the first signs of tendon problems.
However, there is still no specific indication in the Levaquin black box warning that indicates the risk is particularly high with this drug, even when compared to other drugs in the class. While all of the antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class contain the same language, Levaquin’swarning label should indicate that the drug is more toxic to tendons than other fluoroquinolones.
LEVAQUIN SIDE EFFECT LAWSUITS
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are investigating potential Levaquin Achilles tendon rupture lawsuits throughout the United States for injuries caused by side effects of Levaquin. If you, a friend or family member have suffered a ruptured tendon, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
I took Levaquin along with a few other antibiotics in September of this year for a strep infection that I got while in basic training, but I do not have a ruptured achilles tendon that I am aware of.
I have been taking Levaquin for about 2 years now. I was prescribed Levaquin often to treat frequent bladder infections. Over a year ago, I noticed severe pain in my neck starting from the base of my skull that goes all the way under my left shoulder blade. I am having an MRI done on April 1, 2009 to find out if this is possibly Brachial Plexus damage due to frequent use of Levaquin.
i took levaquin for 5 days 500mg .the first day i had knee pain and dizziness .and olso it makes me eating to much ather than that no side effects at all . this is all only on the first day after that i never felt any side efecrs . it works for me . i think as i read all the comments . every body has bud side effect . i think the side efect is coming with food . you need to know what kind food you have to it with levaquin . i was eating the same food till i finish the medicen . i was eating only vegetable no meat no bread no milk no soda no coffee no tea . next time if you guys have a side efect problem plzzz plzzz you have to eat the same food only vegetable and water …. and do not drink any orange juice cramberrry generaly … do not take any food from out side ……just home made with olive oil thats all you will safe ……………..
I ruptured my Achilles in December 2008 but it’s been about a year since I’ve been prescribed antibiotics such as these. Does that side effect persist that long? Recovering from this rupture has been a long and difficult process but I’m getting there
I TOOK LEVAQUIN 700mg IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR AND SHORTLY AFTER I STARTED HAVEING NECK PAIN THAT GOS DOWN MY SPIN TO MY MIDDLE BACK ALSO KNEE PAIN AND MY KNEE HAS GIVIAN OUT ON ME 3 TIMES CAUSING ME TO FALL
IN THE HOSPITAL I WAS GIVEN LEVAQUIN, THEN I HAD TO STILL TAKE IT WHEN I GOT HOME, THAT WAS IN OCT 08, IN APR 09 I’VE STARTED LOSING FEELING IN 2 FINGERS AND PALM ON MY RIGHT HAND. ITS ENOUGH TO DRIVE SOMEONE CRAZY WITH THIS FEELING. ITS A NUMB FEELING DOWN MY LITTLE FINGER ALL THE WAY TO THE PALM SIDE UNDER THE FINGER, THE NEXT FINGER IS THE RING FINGER ON THE SAME HAND, BUT ONLY THE TIP OF IT. NO ONE CAN TELL WHAT IT IS, AFTER SEEING THE AD ON TV I THOUGHT I SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS.
I took Levaquin for 7 days. The 2nd day the muscle or tendon on the top of my leg was very painful. Also the join where my leg meets my torso hurt very badly. The third day that pain was gone. However, on the 5th day my knee swelled up so bad I could not even bend it. That was extremly painful. It took my knee 3 days after I stopped taking the medicine to finally get back to normal. I will never take that medicine again. A z-pak works great.
levaquin was administered to me by a infectious disease the first (1st) time on August 15th, 2008 while i was a inpatient admitted to or at Norton Healthcare (Hospital) and was being treated for staph infection with the unreasonably dangerous drug LEVAQUIN. I first experienced the side effects on or about 8-17-08 when i had a skin rash on both forearms then excruciating pain in both ankles, knees, and shoulders and when i think back it occured after ingesting levaquin.I have since been diagnosed and treated for tendonapathy in both knees tendonitis in both hips and left and right shoulders and the skin rash is permanent and untreatable so far there is no known cure for the rash.I have recently discovered that there is pending litigation against the makers of levaquin and even while using dilligence and even greater dilligence could not have discovered the causes of action until now date December17th, 2010 after reading about the litigation on a internet website.