Levaquin Lawsuits
Baltimore, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware
The Maryland personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos are currently reviewing potential Levaquin lawsuits for victims who have suffered serious tendon injuries as a result of the harmful side effects associated with this drug.
Levaquin is an antibiotic used in the treatment of infections. It functions by inhibiting the reproduction of bacteria which cause infections. Manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, Levaquin is considered to be part of the class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. While Levaquin has been responsible for the majority of tendon ruptures, other fluoroqinolone antibiotics have also been linked to this harmful side effect.
Tendon Injuries Associated with Levaquin
The following injuries have been associated with the consumption of Levaquin:
- Tendon rupture
- Tendon damage
- Tendonitis
According to the FDA, there have been 262 reported cases of tendon ruptures, 259 cases of tendonitis, and 274 cases of other tendon conditions. Approximately 61% of the reported tendon ruptures have been caused by Levaquin. These injuries have resulted in permanent disabilities for many of the victims affected.
While the Achilles tendon has been most frequently damaged as a result of Levaquin consumption, tendon ruptures in the shoulder, biceps, hand, and thumb have been reported as well.
Symptoms of Tendon Injuries
It is important to be aware of the warning signs of a tendon injury. If you are taking Levaquin and start noticing any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of Achilles tendon rupture include:
- Sudden, severe pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Trouble walking
Symptoms of tendonitis include:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Mild swelling
Levaquin Lawsuits
In August 2006, a consumer advocacy group called Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA asking the organization to require pharmaceutical manufacturers to add information regarding the risk of tendon ruptures to Levaquin warning labels. The petition also called for pharmacists to give patients FDA-approved medication guides which would warn patients of the risk of tendon rupture and all associated symptoms. However, the FDA did not take any action at the time.
In January 2008, Public Citizen filed a lawsuit against the FDA due to their negligence in following up on the 2006 petition. This prompted the FDA to require the placement of a black box warning on all fluoroquinolones in July 2008, warning consumers of the risk of tendon rupture. Currently, no recall has been initiated by Johnson & Johnson or the FDA.
Johnson & Johnson is currently facing a considerable number of Levaquin lawsuits claiming that they failed to provide proper warnings about the serious side effects associated with the drug. These lawsuits allege that many of the tendon ruptures resulting from the use of Levaquin could have been prevented had Johnson & Johnson adequately informed consumers of the risk.
If you have suffered a serious tendon injury as a result of taking Levaquin, the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos can help you receive the compensation you deserve through a defective drug lawsuit.
Please contact our Baltimore defective drug lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients in Maryland and Delaware.
