Tendon Injuries Linked to Levaquin and Cipro
October 28, 2011 Posted in: Mass TortsPatients who have experienced suffering pain and injury from unsafe pharmaceuticals need to be properly treated medically for all adverse conditions that developed and fairly compensated for any financial loss, national class action product liability attorney Keith T. Belt says
Levaquin and Cipro have been linked to tendon ruptures, tendinitis and Achilles tendon damage. Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Pharmaceuticals
Levaquin and Cipro are part of the fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics. Levaquin is used to treat infections in the urinary tract, bones, abdomen, lower respiratory system and skin, while Cipro treats bacterial infections in the skin, lungs and urinary tract.
The FDA has reported that patients taking Levaquin and Cipro have been experiencing serious tendon injuries, including Achilles tendon ruptures. In July 2008, the FDA reported over 800 cases of tendon ruptures, tendinitis and other tendon disorders in patients taking Levaquin. In addition, over 300 reports of tendon ruptures occurred in Cipro patients. The FDA then required both Levaquin and Cipro to include a black box warning, the agency’s strongest safety alert, about the tendon problems. Symptoms of tendon ruptures include pain or swelling in the tendon area, a pop in the tendon area and inability to move the affected area.
The most important information I should know about LEVAQUIN is that it belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones, which can cause side effects that may be serious or even cause death. If you get any of the following serious side effects, get medical help right away:
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Tendon rupture or swelling of the tendon (tendinitis).
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Tendons are tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones.
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Pain, swelling, tears, and inflammation of tendons including the back of the ankle (Achilles), shoulder, hand, or other tendon sites can happen in people of all ages who take fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including LEVAQUIN
This risk is higher if you:
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are over 60 years of age
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are taking steroids (corticosteroids)
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have had a kidney, heart or lung transplant.
Swelling of the tendon (tendinitis) and tendon rupture (breakage) have also happened in patients who take fluoroquinolones who do not have the above risk factors.
Other reasons for tendon ruptures can include:
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physical activity or exercise
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kidney failure
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tendon problems in the past, such as in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Call your health-care provider right away at the first sign of tendon pain, swelling or inflammation and avoid exercise or using the affected area. The most common area of pain and swelling is the Achilles tendon at the back of your ankle, but can also happen with other tendons. Tendon rupture can happen while you are taking or up to several months after you have finished taking LEVAQUIN
About Belt Law Firm, P.C.
Belt Law Firm, P.C., has more than 70 years of combined experience, and has the resources and experience to take on class action lawsuits of any size and against any opponent. In the past, our class action lawyers have participated in several large-scale class and mass joiner actions and have secured millions of dollars for our clients. Class-action lawsuits are an efficient and calculated way to take on large, well-represented organizations, and also to help the maximum number of people. Class action lawsuits offer a number of advantages because they are able to aggregate a large number of what are often smaller individualized claims into one class action lawsuit. Our class action attorneys’ main mission is to bring powerful representation and justice to the individual or small business. In the process, class actions provide the necessary impetus to change laws for the better and to help thousands of people who have been injured, oppressed or have suffered injustice. We put our reputation on the line in every case.
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