Reports Of Tendon Ruptures Caused By Antibiotics Levaquin, Cipro, And Avelox

Public Citizen Files Lawsuit Against FDA Seeking "Black Box" Warning About This Painful And Lingering Side Effect

(Posted by Tom Lamb at DrugInjuryWatch.com)

According to a January 3, 2008 Reuters article, "Group sues U.S. in push for new antibiotic warning", the consumer group Public Citizen has filed a lawsuit intended to force the FDA to consider whether stronger warnings should be added to certain antibiotics such as Johnson & Johnson's Levaquin as well as Bayer AG's Cipro and Avelox. This Public Citizen lawsuit was filed in federal court, specifically the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

In August 2006 Public Citizen petitioned the FDA to add a "black box" warning to alert doctors and patients about the risk of tendon injury and rupture associated with Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox, as well as generic antibiotics sold under the name ciprofloxacin -- all being in the fluoroquinolones class of drugs.

According to the January 3 Reuters article about the new Public Citizen lawsuit:

The possibility of tendon rupture is now mentioned in the drug's prescribing instructions, but the warning "is buried in a long list of possible adverse reactions and is far too easy to miss," said Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group....

"While the FDA sits idly by and ignores the problem, more people will suffer serious tendon ruptures that could have been prevented," Wolfe said.

The FDA has received 336 reports of tendon rupture in patients treated with fluoroquinolones from November 1997 through March 2007, Public Citizen said. The actual number is likely higher because only a fraction of potential side effects are typically reported to the agency.

Levaquin, Cipro, and Avelox, as well as similar generic antibiotics, are widely prescribed in the U.S. and elsewhere for gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary tract infections.

Comments

[Darlene]

I am experiencing the same thing. I've gone to the doctor a couple times already after a round of avelox, then levaquin, then cipro. I went to the doctor today to get a corisone shot in my knee and while I was there, I told him I thought I had a rotator cuff tear so he sent me for an x-ray on it, also. I told him the bottoms of my feet hurt. The side of my foot has hurt and the tendon in my thumb and forefinger has hurt. I had a double hernia last year. I bet that was from Cipro, also. It has been the antibiotic that I have taken for a long time when I have sinus or other infections. I too feel 90 years old. It's such a shame. I wish I had known. I never would have taken the stuff.

[Joachim Svare]

Something has to be done!!!
I was treated with Avelox (for 17 days) due to a sinus infection in January 2008.
The sinus problem went away and the day after I stopped taking the antibiotics my Achilles ruptured.
My orthopedic doctor has no doubt that it was caused by Avelox !
I'm now left with stacks of medical bills and a leg that will never be the same.
Can anyone recommend an attorney who will take a case like this so I at least can get some compensation for my medical bills. I live in L.A.

[Tom Lamb]

I appreciate you taking the time to share your unfortunate experience with Levaquin.

Best of luck to you going forward.

Thanks for reading Drug Injury Watch.

Tom Lamb

[shane]

I had 4 courses of oral, 500mg. Levaquin for sinus infections from 2003 to 2006 and am now left with the debilitating effects of this drug, which has ruined my life. I am 45 and was actively fit.
I now feel like a 90 year old. I have severe tendonitis in most of my body, but espescially arms, hands, legs and feet.
I have tried so many drugs and therapies and nothing has helped.
Warn your friends about this drug !!!!
Shane

[Dominick Gagliardi]

In June of 2006 I suffered Kidney problems and was treated with Levaquin. My back and legs got so bad that I cound not lay in a bed for more than 6 months. With all the pain I had, I was sent for many Xrays. The doctor kept saying it was Arthritis. It took over a year for me to feel somewhat human again.