Levaquin Linked To Tendon Injuries
Used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, sinuses, kidneys, bladder, or prostate, the prescription drug Levaquin has been linked to an increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures. First approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, the drug is also used to treat bacterial infections that cause bronchitis or pneumonia, as well as those exposed to anthrax.
Levaquin is concentration-dependent, meaning it kills bacteria most effectively when the proper amount of medicine has been absorbed into your body. The prescription drug can be taken orally or injected, and costs upward of $100 for treatment. Unfortunately, the drug has been linked to serious tendon injuries.
Tendons are the structures that connect your muscles to your joints. The most common cases of tendinitis and tendon ruptures due to Levaquin involve the Achilles tendon, but cases of the rotator cuff, hand, biceps, and thumb have also been reported. Serious cases of tendon rupture may require surgical repair.
According to the FDA, the risk of developing tendonitis and tendon rupture from taking Levaquin is higher in patients who are over the age of 60, those who are taking steroids, and in kidney, heart and lung transplant recipients.
Symptoms of tendon rupture include:
- Pain, swelling, or inflammation in a tendon area.
- A snap or pop in a tendon area.
- Bruising right after an injury in a tendon area.
- Inability to move the affected area or bear weight.
Between November 1997 and December 2005, the FDA received 262 reported cases of tendon ruptures, 258 cases of tendonitis, and 274 cases of other tendon disorders associated with the drug sold by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. From January 2006 through March 2007, the FDA received 74 additional reports of tendon ruptures, for a total of 336 reported cases.
In 2008, the FDA forced Ortho-McNeil to place a Black Box warning on the label of Levaquin regarding its link to tendon damage, the strongest warning the FDA will give a drug. However, by the time the warning was in place, many consumers had suffered serious injuries. In some instances, Levaquin tendon ruptures require victims to undergo surgery and extensive rehab, and in the most severe cases, victims never recover from their injuries.
If you are taking Levaquin, you should consult with your physician before making any changes or discontinuing taking the medication. Decision about when to start or stop taking a medication should be made in consultation with your physician. And if you or a loved one has suffered problems with tendinitis or tendon ruptures related to the drug Leviquin, contact the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein today for a free and confidential consultation. You may be entitled to compensation.
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