Many Concerned over Lack of Warnings on Levaquin
Over the past few years, there have been a number of complaints and lawsuits filed against Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development for their product Levaquin, an antibiotic known to cause severe tendon injuries. The antibiotic is commonly taken for a variety of bacterial infections such as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and prostatitis.
The people who are most at risk for tendon rupture and tendonitis caused by the drug are people in the 60 and older age group and those who are taking corticosteroids. Unfortunately, some who take Levaquin may also be prescribed a corticosteroid as a common treatment for various symptoms the initial drug encompasses.
Levaquin is a part of the fluoroquinolones antibiotics group, and has more frequently caused tendon injuries than any other drug in its group. In countries outside of the U.S., regulatory authorities provided physicians with warning letters discussing the high risks of tendon rupture in patients taking the drug. Conversely, the U.S. manufacturers claimed “proven performance” on 63 million people using Levaquin outside the U.S., but had not disclosed the adverse events reported by the same people.
In some cases, the benefits of taking the antibiotic may outweigh the side effects and risks. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of taking this drug, contact an experienced St. Louis Levequinn injury attorney at Page Law. Call us today at (866) 620-5757 for a free consultation.
Source report: http://www.wvrecord.com/news/223717-trio-says-levaquin-caused-tendon-injuries
