Lawyers Reviewing Peripheral Neuropathy Cases for Users of Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro
Peripheral neuropathy is a painful and potentially debilitating disease affecting the nerves, which may be caused by side effects of Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro and other antibiotics that are part of a class of medications known as fluoroquinolones.
Contact Our Lawyers to Review anANTIBIOTIC INJURY LAWSUIT
As a result of a failure to adequately warn about the risk that users of the antibiotics may suffer long-lasting nerve problems that often continue long after last use of the antibiotics, peripheral neuropathy lawsuits are being reviewed by the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. for users approved name-brand fluoroquinolones, including:
- Levaquin (levofloxacin)
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
- Avelox (moxifloxacin)
- Noroxin (norfloxacin)
- Floxin (ofloxacin)
- Factive (gemifloxacin)
All peripheral neuropathy cases are reviewed by our lawyers under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained. Potential aortic aneurysm lawsuits and aortic dissection lawsuits are also being reviewed for individuals who have experienced this other problems after using the antibiotics.
To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Peripheral Neuropathy Side Effects
Fluorquinolones are the most widely used antibiotics in the nation, with more than 26 million patients each year receiving a prescription for the drugs either as pills or injections.
While the antibiotics have been linked to reports of nerve damage for decades, until August 2013 the label warnings misleadingly indicated that peripheral neuropathy side effects were rare and often resolve when the medications were no longer used.
In reality, many users of Levaquin, Avelox and Cipro have been left with long-lasting problems from peripheral neuropathy, which may cause disability for the remainder of their life.
Possible signs or symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from use of Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox or another fluoroquinolone antibiotic may include:
- Burning, Tingling and Numbness in Extremities
- Pain or Weakness
- Sensitivity to Light Touches, Temperature, or Motion
- Lack of Coordination and Being Prone to Falls
- Muscle Weakness or Paralysis
- Bowel, Bladder and Digestive Problems
- Dizziness, Lightheadedness
Following a drug safety communication (PDF) issued by the FDA in August 2013, manufacturers were finally required to update their labels, providing information for consumers and the medical community that this serious nerve damage caused by Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro or other fluoroquinolones may occur soon after the drugs are taken and may be permanent.
Risk of Peripheral Neuropathy from Antibiotics
According to allegations raised in a growing number of peripheral neuropathy lawsuits being pursued against the makers of Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro and other related antibiotics, evidence has been available to the pharmaceutical companies for years that should have resulted in stronger warnings for consumers and the medical community.
Peripheral Neuropathy Lawyers
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk are investigating potential lawsuits for users of Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox or other antibiotics who may be suffering peripheral neuropathy side effects.
As early as 1992, case reports have described long-term peripheral neuropathy risks associated with different fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
In one study published in 2011, which specifically looked at dozens of reports involving peripheral neuropathy problems with the antibiotics, researchers found that half of patients who reported having neuropathy problems after using the antibiotics indicated that they were continuing to experience symptoms more than a year after last taking the drugs. About 80% of those patients characterized their symptoms as being severe.
If proper warnings had been provided about the peripheral neuropathy risk with Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro and other related antibiotics, many users have been able to avoid the painful disability by choosing to use another medication or by switching to a different antibiotic when the first signs of nerve problems appeared.
The most important treatment for peripheral neuropathy is often to find the cause of the nerve damage and to stop. However, once the damage is done, only the symptoms can be treated, usually via painkillers, antiseizure medications and antidepressants, all of which carry their own potential side effects.
Antibiotic Peripheral Neuropathy Lawyers
The makers of Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox and other fluoroquinolones appear to have placed their desire for profits before the safety of consumers by withholding important warnings and providing misleading information about the risk of peripheral neuropathy side effects.
Many uses have now been left with life-long medical problems as a result of a peripheral neuropathy diagnosis, often resulting in the need for substantial medical expenses related to nerve treatments, including transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which requires electric current being used to stimulate damaged nerves, plasma transfusions to alleviate certain inflammatory conditions, physical therapy, and in some cases surgery to reduce pressure on nerves may be warranted.
The peripheral neuropathy lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for individuals throughout the United States. Side effects of the antibiotics have also been linked collagen degradation problems, which may increase the risk of users suffering painful and potentially life-threatening injuries, such as an aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection.
Free consultations and claim evaluations are available to help individuals and families determine whether a financial settlement may be available as a result of a peripheral neuropathy diagnosis or symptoms of nerve damage suffered by users of Levaquin, Cipro or Avelox.