Initial Levaquin Studies Falsified
In recent years, the sythnetic antibiotic drug, Levaquin, has gained infamy in that it has been causing severe tendon injuries in patients taking the drug. However, events dating back to 2001 indicate that many of the manufacturers of this type of fluoroquinolones had known about the serious side effects of the drug.
In 2001, several European countries convened to discuss warnings for Levaquin, as it is the most tendon-toxic in the group of fluoroquinolones. The European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products agreed that further studies were needed.
The leading manufacturer in Europe of levofloxacin (the European counterpart of Levaquin), Aventis, agreed to fund two epidemiological studies in order to examine the drug’s toxic effects on tendons. Aventis then enlisted Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development (PRD) to co-author a U.S. study on fluoroquinolones and tendon rupture as well, thereby promoting the largest epidemiological study to date.
Six months before the scheduled completion of the U.S. study, Aventis released its European studies that indicated a significant increase in risks of tendon rupture associated with the drug as compared to others of its kind. However, the U.S. study had the opposite findings. This is because the U.S. study did not assess the risk of Levaquin tendon toxicity. Instead, the study analyzed the risk of Achilles tendon ruptures. In addition, Johnson and Johnson PRD excluded nearly 70% of health claims made by elderly persons suffering from Achilles tendon rupture.
Despite the numerous changes to the Levaquin label, the number of tendon rupture cases that are directly related to Levaquin have increased steadily. If you or someone you know suffers from severe Levaquin side effects, contact an experienced St. Louis injury lawyer. us today for a free consultation.
Source article: http://www.wvrecord.com/news/223717-trio-says-levaquin-caused-tendon-injuries
