Levaquin
Levaquin (levofloxacin) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic often used to treat lung infection, sinus infection, some skin infections, and urinary tract infections. It has been associated with serious side effects, most notably tendon ruptures. Levaquin is in a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolone. If you are taking Levaquin or any other fluoroquinolone antibiotic and experience tendon pain or inflammation you should stop taking the drug, call your doctor right away, and avoid using the affected area.
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics work by preventing bacteria from reproducing. All fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause tendon rupture. Levaquin and Cipro are the most popular, but there are many others including:
- Avelox (moxifloxacin)
- Factive (gemifloxacin)
- Floxin (Ofloxacin)
- Maxaquin (lomefloxacin)
- Noroxin (norfloxacin)
- Penetrex (enoxacin)
- Tequin (gatifloxacin)
- Trovan (trovafloxacin)
Levaquin and Tendon Rupture
Levaquin increases the chance of developing tendon rupture, tendonitis, tendon pain, and ligament injuries. It most often affects the Achilles' tendon, shoulder, and hand. Surgery is sometimes required to repair ruptured tendons. People over 60 years old, recipients of heart, lung, and kidney transplants, and those taking corticosteroids are at a higher risk for developing tendon injury after taking Levaquin.
Other Levaquin Side Effects
Tendon rupture is the most common serious side effect of Levaquin, but certainly not the only one. Side effects of Levaquin can include:
- Liver damage
- Nerve damage
- Diarrhea
- Blood sugar imbalance
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Confusion
- Convulsions
- Hallucinations
- Dizziness
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Numbness or weakness
- Heart rhythm irregularities
- Sensitivity to sunlight causing severe burns
- Intestinal infection
- Skin rash
- Joint problems
Levaquin poses a serious risk to fetuses, nursing babies, and young children.
Why Levaquin is Prescribed
Different types of antibiotics are effective on different types of bacteria. Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics that can be effective against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. They are used to treat infections throughout the body, but are most commonly prescribed for:
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinus infection
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin infections
- Prostate infections
- Anthrax
Like other antibiotics, Levaquin cannot treat viral infections. Levaquin should only be prescribed when the infection is determined to be bacterial and when other antibiotics have been ineffective. It should never be prescribed to young children except to treat anthrax.
Levaquin Injury
Tendon injuries can cause permanent disability. If you have been injured by taking Levaquin, Cipro, or other fluoroquinolones, you may be entitled to compensation.
Levaquin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil, makers of Levaquin, tried to downplay the dangers of Levaquin when marketing the drug to doctors. Eventually, in 2008, the FDA required that Levaquin carry a black box warning regarding the risk of tendon injury. A black box warning is the most serious type of warning label the FDA can require for medications.
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