Levaquin Linked to Tendon Ruptures
A class of prescription antibiotic medications called fluoroquinolones have been associated with an increased risk of tendon rupture. These antibiotics, which are widely prescribed for gastrointestinal, respiratory and genito-urinary tract infections, include Cipro (Ciprofloxacin, made by Bayer), Penetrex (Enoxacin, made by Aventis), Tequin (Gatifloxacin, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb), Levaquin (Levofloxacin, made by Ortho-McNeil), Maxaquin (Lomefloxacin, made by Unimed), Avelox (Moxifloxacin, made by Bayer), Noroxin (Norfloxacin, made by Merck) and Floxin (Ofloxacin, made by Daiichi-Sankyo).
The tendon that most frequently ruptures is the Achilles tendon, which causes sudden and severe pain, swelling and bruising, and difficulty walking. Other tendon ruptures have occurred in the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the biceps, the hand and the thumb. One theory is that fluoroquinolones are toxic to tendon fibers and may decrease blood supply in tendons that already have a limited blood supply. The risk of tendon rupture appears to be increased when the patient combines these drugs with prednisone and other steroids medications.
According to the consumer watchdog organization Public Citizen, "[t]endon ruptures associated with fluoroquinolones medications continue to occur at a disturbing rate but could be prevented if doctors and patients were more aware of early warning signals, such as the onset of tendon pain, and switched to other antibiotics," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group. Public Citizen's review of the FDA's adverse event database shows 262 reported cases of fluoroquinolone-related tendon ruptures, 258 cases of tendonitis, and 274 cases of other tendon disorders between November 1997 and January 2006, with 175 of those cases occurring since the beginning of 2003. Although all fluoroquinolones appear to increase the risk of tendon rupture, sixty-one percent of the ruptures identified by Public Citizen were associated with Levaquin, which has accounted for 45 percent of all fluoroquinolone prescriptions in the past four years.
If you or a loved one have used Levaquin and experienced a loss of smell and/or taste, it is important that you contact an attorney who can evaluate and protect your potential legal claim. For more information, please contact attorneys Tony Nemo or Andrew Davick at 1-800-845-1021. We look forward to hearing your story, and answering any questions you may have.