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Levaquin Tendinitis - Tendon Rupture Lawyers

FDA issues "Black Box" warning for Levaquin - Levaquin Injury Attorneys



Levaquin is a class of antiobiotic known as a Flouroquinolone.  It is generally used to treat things such as urinary tract infections (UTI). 

Summary of Levaquin Injury Investigation

In 2006, Public Citizen (a consumer advocacy group) petitioned the FDA to require certain drug manufacturers, including Ortho McNeil (maker of Levaquin), to include the "black box" warnings on antibiotics such as Levaquin.  In January 2008, the consumer advocacy group filed suit against the FDA because they were concerned the FDA was not taking appropriate actions to protect against  Levaquin’s side-effects.  They alleged that at that time, the FDA knew of numerous cases where individuals suffered a tendon rupture after taking Levaquin.  The most common was the rupture of the Achilles tendon. 

In July 2008, the FDA then required Levaquin and other flouroquinolone makers to add a “black box warning” to the drug’s packaging.  The label was required to warn about the possibility of tendon damage. 

In some cases, Levaquin users can develop tendinitis and tendon ruptures.  This can lead to the need for surgery – often very major surgery.  Some patients have been known to experience just spontaneous tendon ruptures.  There is no warning and the patient just felt an immediate snap or a pop.  In other cases, patients felt some pain or swelling before they had the tendon rupture.
Some patients are at higher risk for tendon ruptures or injuries due to Levaquin.  These include:

• Patients over 60
• Those on concomitant steroid therapy
• Kidney, heart, and lung transplant recipients.  

Our Lawyers Are Investigating These Common Reported Levaquin Side-Effects:

• Ruptured Achilles tendon
• Ruptured patellar tendon (knee)
• Ruptured rotator cuff tendon (shoulder)
• Ruptured bicep tendon
• Achilles tendonitis
• Patellar tendonitis (knee)
• Rotator cuff tendonitis (shoulder)
• Bicep tendonitis
• Torn ligament

Flouroquinone Injuries (Tendon Ruptures)

Levaquin was not the only drug the FDA warned may injure your ligaments and tendons.  Their warning extending to the class of Flouroquinone antiobiotics.  The class includes the following drugs:

• Cipro (Ciprofloxacin)
• Cipro XR and Proquin XR (Ciprofloxacin extended release)
• Levaquin (Levofloxacin)
• Factive (Gemifloxacin)
• Avelox (Moxifloxacin)
• Noroxin (Norfloxacin)
• Floxin (Ofloxacin)

Current Status of Levaquin Litigation

Levaquin lawsuits are not class-actions.  Rather, they are being handled under the multi-district litigation (MDL) process.  This means all Levaquin cases are sent to the same judge in the same court.  Levaquin lawsuits are currently pending before Judge John R. Tunheim in Minnesota.  Thus, no matter where you live, your Levaquin tendon rupture case will be filed in front of Judge Tunheim.  This is what allows us to investigate cases from all across the country.

Unlike class-actions, Levaquin lawsuits are filed individually and tried separately on their own merits.  However, because they all involve similar claims against the same Defendant, the Plaintiffs have submitted a cost-sharing proposal to the Court.  Additionally, MDL cases often involved bellwhether trials which mean the first few cases that were filed are tried to the jury to determine how they will interpret and rule on the case.  Pending the results of these trials, many of the remaning cases are settled without having to go through trial.  It is estimated that the first cases will be "trial-ready" by 2010. 

Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) & Levaquin

In addition to tendon rupture injuries, our Levaquin lawyers are investigating cases of anyone who has developed Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) after taking Levaquin.  TEN, also known as Lyle’s Syndrome, is a serious skin condition, sometimes fatal, which is caused by a reaction to medication.

While TEN can affect numerous parts of the body, it generally targets mucous membranes like the eyes and mouth.  Patients generally experience a 1 to 2 weeks of fever preceding TEN’s severe symptoms. 

TEN generally causes a rash which becomes warm and red.  In just a matter of hours, it can become very painful and the skin can begin to flake away.  The mouth is often attacked by blisters and sores.  This can make it extremely hard if not impossible to eat, thereby requiring a feeding tube.  The eyes often become swollen and encrusted.  Because of its seriousness, TEN often requires immediate hospitalization.  Patients are often kept in the ICU or even the burn unit.

Our Levaquin injury lawyers are investigating cases of TEN across the country.  If you believe there is a connection and would like to speak with a lawyer, call us at 888-956-2487 or contact us through this website.  It is always free to discuss your case.

Our Levaquin Attorneys handle all cases on a contingency fee meaning that you do not pay us any money up front.  Rather, the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the amount we recover for you.  If there is no recovery, you do not owe us a dime.  Additionally, we front all case expenses.  Bottom line – you are not required to pay anything up front to have one of our personal injury lawyers represent you .

The Levaquin Cases We Handle

Not everyone who suffers and injury after taking Levaquin has a viable case.  Rather, we have compiled a list of factors that each potential client must meet before we can help.  If you meet all of the following characteristics, please contact us to further discuss your case.

• You have been diagnosed with a tendon rupture
• You have had surgery for the tendon rupture or it has been suggested
• You were taking Levaquin for at least 1 week prior to the tendon rupture.

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For more information, contact us toll-free at 888-956-2487.  We are investigating injuries caused by Levaquin all across the country.