Levaquin Achilles Tendon Rupture Side Effects Still Not Sufficiently Disclosed

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted November 6, 2008

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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.

12 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Kashena says:

    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.

    Posted on December 29, 2008 at 5:54 pm

  • Kari says:

    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.

    Posted on March 24, 2009 at 11:17 pm

  • henok says:

    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 ……………..

    Posted on March 30, 2009 at 2:32 am

  • Jason says:

    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 🙂

    Posted on April 29, 2009 at 3:12 pm

  • deborah says:

    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

    Posted on June 12, 2009 at 6:16 pm

  • CELESTE says:

    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.

    Posted on August 31, 2009 at 12:49 am

  • Renee says:

    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.

    Posted on June 22, 2010 at 12:06 am

  • Roderick says:

    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.

    Posted on December 19, 2010 at 5:30 am

  • Pam says:

    I took the drug levofloxacin in Oct 2012. I had not seen this article until this morning. I took the drug in late Oct and in Nov of 2012 I went to the doctors with achilles tendon pain. They took and xray and told me to see a podiatrist due to a large spur located on the heel of the same leg that had the tendonitis. I waited a few weeks due to money and finally did go to the podiatrist and was told I had achilles tendonitis and was put into a boot to try to help it heal. It is now the second week of March 2013 and I am still in pain. I am being told that if it is not any better in two weeks, they are going to do surgery to correct the problem because the MRI I had said I had a tear in my achilles tendon, Now I will talk to my doc about this and see if she is aware of this problem. Glad I found this information because we could not figure out why this happened. I am disabled to to a bad back following 3 surgeries. So, I dont do much of anything, Now I see how this may have happened. I will repost when I talk to the doctor.

    Posted on March 9, 2013 at 6:00 am

  • John says:

    I never had problems with my legs before I took it I wor ked two jobs all my life without a problem

    Posted on June 24, 2013 at 9:24 pm

  • Andrea says:

    They gave my 88 year old mom levaquin for pneumonia January 2012. Three days later she was rushed to the hospital in severe pain. Her back, achilles tendon and neck were all affected. She was put on prednisone after being released from the hospital due to severe joint inflammation. Her achilles tendon is completely ruptured. Has tried a boot, brace, physical therapy to no avail. It has been almost a year and now it is affecting her strength for walking. Legs tire very easily. Been to several specialists but surgery is one year recovery and her age is against her. She was always a very young and active lady and this drug destroyed her. I would never recommend anyone taking this poison .

    Posted on November 12, 2013 at 8:15 pm

  • Michelle says:

    I just had Achilles’ tendon repair due to the Achilles pulling completely away from the bone I have been prescribed levaquin numerous times due to pneumonia. Are you still looking at those cases

    Posted on September 16, 2017 at 8:34 pm

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