The James Esparza Law Firm
Product Liability Lawyers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Levaquin: Dangerous Drug Alert
Levaquin is a third-generation antibiotic that is in the family of "fluoroquinolones," which are drugs that effectively work against a wide array of bacteria. Levaquin is prescribed for a very wide range of infections such as pneumonia and UTI (urinary tract infection). This family of antibiotics is also prescribed to treat infections of the lungs and skin. However, Levaquin (generic lovofloxacin), manufactured by drug giants Ortho-McNeil and Johnson & Johnson, has been linked to some very serious adverse side effects; various forms of tendon injury are the most common side effect associated with Levaquin.
Because of the many tendon injuries associated with the drug, in July 2008, the FDA was petitioned to assign a black box warning to the drug; a black box warning is the most serious warning any drug can receive. But for those people suffering from tendon ruptures, tendonitis and tears of the Achilles heel, this warning came much too late.
Tendon Injuries Reported to FDA
Between November 1997 and December 2007, the FDA received more than 400 reports of tendon rupture following use of fluoroquinolones, including Levaquin. The actual number of people who suffered tendon rupture likely is substantially higher, as only a small fraction of adverse events are reported to the FDA. At the time of this writing, FDA reports indicate that there have been approximately 300 cases of tendonitis, 262 cases of tendon ruptures, and 274 cases of other tendon disorders in people taking this dangerous drug.
The pharmaceutical liability attorney, James Esparaza, is currently investigating cases of clients harmed by Levaquin. The tendon tear lawyers at the firm have been working diligently to get victims of this dangerous drug the compensation and justice they deserve.
If you or a member of your family has used Levaquin and suffered a tendon injury, tendon tear, or tendon rupture while using Levaquin or after using Levaquin, the James Esparza Law Firm would like to help you. We serve clients in and around the Salt Lake City, Utah area.
In many instances, Levaquin tendon ruptures have required victims to undergo surgery and extensive physical therapy. Even following such treatment, many Levaquin users never completely recover from their tendon rupture, tears or injuries.
Signs & Symptoms of Tendon Rupture
The tendon most frequently associated to the Levaquin induced ruptures or tears is the Achilles tendon; however Levaquin has also been linked to tendon ruptures in the rotator cuff (shoulder), the biceps, the hand, and the thumb. Below is a brief list of symptoms often associated with an Achilles tendon rupture:
- Sudden and severe pain
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty walking
What Can I Do?
If you are presently taking Levaquin, you should contact your physician to discuss the availability of alternative treatments.
Protect Your Legal Rights
The James Esparza Law Firm has represented thousands of individuals who have sustained life alerting injuries from medical devices and prescription medicine. We would like to help you obtain full and complete compensation.
We represent clients throughout the United States. We can help you, too, wherever you live.
If you or a loved one has sustained a tendon rupture or tendon tear while using Levaquin, or after using Levaquin, the James Esparza Law Firm's product liability team would like to help you. Please contact our office today to schedule a free confidential consultation or complete the confidential online contact form. Our office number is 1-800-745-4050.
