FDA Issues Black Box Warnings on Levaquin and Cipro
FDA’s Recent Actions…Black Box Warnings on Levaquin and Cipro: Antibiotics that Cause Tendon Damage and Rupture
On July 8, 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new warnings for Cipro, Levaquin, and other quinolone antibiotics, concerning the increased risk of tendinitis and tendon ruptures affiliated with the use of these drugs. The product liability evidence now shows that side effects of Levaquin and Cipro have and can leave patients incapacitated and requiring major surgery.
Levaquin and Cipro are drugs prescribed by doctors to treat serious bacterial infections. Both medications fall into a group of drugs known as quinolones that fight infections by targeting the infected area and eliminating or limiting the amount of bacteria present. By doing so the drugs assists the body in fighting off the infection. Levaquin is a third generation quinolone, which means that its antibacterial spectrum is wider than that of Cipro, yet both have been linked to tendon damage and ruptures in users with injuries particularly focusing on the Achilles tendon, the biceps, the rotator cuff (shoulder), as well as the hand and thumb.
The new warnings from the FDA forces the drugs labels to carry a “black box” warning, the strongest warning short of an all out recall that the FDA can require a manufacturer to use.
Additionally, the manufacturers must provide a medication guide to be administered to users upon having their prescription filled. The medication guide requires the manufacturers to adequately describe the many risks associated with the use of these drugs.
If you are currently taking, or have taken, one of these drugs and experience pain, swelling, or the inflammation of a tendon or tendon rupture, immediately discontinue use of the medication and contact your health care professional right away. Then call the experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyers at Page Cagle for a free consultation.
