Levaquin/Cipro
Motley Rice is investigating potential cases in which individuals using the antibiotics Levaquin or Cipro have experienced painful tendonitis, tendon rupture, tendon tears or other ligament and tendon injuries.
If you or a loved one may have suffered symptoms resulting from Levaquin or Cipro use, including pain, swelling, inflammation of a tendon, or tendon rupture or tear, contact attorney and Levaquin litigation Plaintiffs' Steering Committee member Don Migliori or attorney Leah Donaldson by email or call +1 800.768.4026.
Levaquin and Cipro Treatment
Levaquin and Cipro are fluoroquinolones, a type of antibiotic drugs prescribed for the treatment of lung, sinus, skin and urinary tract infections in adults. Fluoroquinolones are popular among doctors because they kill several bacteria and, therefore, have a higher probability of treating the infection. They are also frequently used when an infection is resistant to older antibiotics. Levaquin is manufactured by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceutical and is available in pill, tablet, capsule or injection form. Cipro is manufactured by Bayer Pharmaceuticals and is available in tablet, injection or ear/eye drop form.
Serious Warnings about Levaquin, Cipro and Similar Antibiotics
Although the increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture has been noted on fluoroquinolone drug labeling for several years, the FDA has continued to receive reports of tendon disorders and ruptures among patients, and incidents of side effects often go unreported or are misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis.
In July 2008, the FDA announced a mandatory black box warning label for fluoroquinolone drugs, including Levaquin and Cipro that highlights and strengthens the warning for increased risk of tendonitis and tendon rupture.
The risk of developing fluoroquinolone-associated tendon disorders or tendon rupture increases in:
- individuals over the age of 60
- individuals taking corticosteroid drugs
- recipients of kidney, heart and lung transplants
Tendon ruptures and injuries are often debilitating and may affect use of the injured limb. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, inflammation, bruising and tears in tendons such as the Achilles, shoulder, hand or legs.
