The Antibiotic Levaquin Has Been Linked to Painful Tendon Ruptures

Levaquin, a generic levofloxacin, is a synthetic chemotherapeutic agent used to treat bacterial infections of the sinuses, skin, lungs, ears, airways, bones, and joints. It is a powerful, prescription antibiotic that has been linked to an increased risk of tendon ruptures, tendonitis, and other serious injuries. Levaquin is part of the group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones.

Levofloxacin is associated with a number of serious and life threatening adverse reactions as well as spontaneous tendon ruptures and irreversible peripheral neuropathy. Tendons can rupture quickly, within hours of taking Levaquin, or may take weeks to develop. In some cases, patients feel pain and notice swelling or bruising in the area of the tendon. Such reactions may manifest long after therapy had been completed and in severe cases may result in life long disabilities.

The Food and Drug Administration ordered makers of fluoroquinolone drugs — a potent class of antibacterials — to add a prominent “black box” warning to their product Levaquin, citing evidence that they might lead to serious tendon ruptures that could leave patients incapacitated and needing extensive surgery.

Types of damage include spontaneous tendon ruptures in the Achilles tendon, the rotator cuff (shoulder), the biceps, the hand, and the thumb.

This risk is further increased in older patients usually over 60 years of age, in patients taking corticosteroid drugs, and in patients with kidney, heart or lung transplants.

The FDA has reported more than 60 percent of fluoroquinolone-related tendon injuries are linked to Levaquin.

If you or a family member have used Levaquin and have suffered a ruptured tendon or tendonitis, you may be entitled to compensation.