The antibiotic drug Levaquin (levofloxacin) has recently been linked to a rare form of nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. In August 2013, the FDA warned about this side effect, stating that neuropathy can appear within one week of starting an antibiotic regimen, and that some complications may be irreversible. Signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include pain, burning, numbness, loss of reflexes and paralysis.
Free Levaquin Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy after taking Levaquin, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer of Levaquin and we can help.
What is Levaquin?
Manufactured by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a Johnson & Johnson company), Levaquin is prescribed to treat bacterial and skin infections, pneumonia and the bubonic plague. Levaquin received clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996, and became available as a generic in 2011. Each year, more than 6 million prescriptions are written for oral Levaquin, and over 1 million patients are administered the drug intravenously in a hospital.
Levaquin and Peripheral Neuropathy
Levaquin and other antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone class have recently been linked to peripheral neuropathy. This disorder occurs when nerves between the brain and body become damaged and are unable to effectively communicate with each other. There are over 100 separate and distinct forms of peripheral neuropathy known, depending on which nerves have been damaged. In general, however, symptoms of neuropathy may include:
- Change in sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature
- Change in sense of body position
- Loss of reflexes
- Muscle wasting
In August 2013, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication which stated that patients treated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Levaquin had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy. FDA issued the statement because earlier warnings did not adequately describe the potential rapid onset of the disorder. According to the FDA:
“In some patients the symptoms had been ongoing for more than a year despite discontinuation of the fluoroquinolone. Several patients were continued on the fluoroquinolone drug despite the occurrence of neuropathic symptoms.”
Neuropathy Risk Factors
In addition to taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics, the following risk factors may increase your risk of developing peripheral neuropathy:
- Alcohol abuse
- Infections (HIV-AIDS)
- Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc.)
- Kidney disease / kidney failure
- Hereditary peripheral neuropathy conditions (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease)
- Lead poisoning
Levaquin Side Effects
Levaquin has also been linked to the following side effects:
- Muscle weakness
- Tendon ruptures
- Central nervous system disorders
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Loss of consciousness
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Life-threatening skin reactions
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
- Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea
Quinolone Vigilance Foundation
The Quinolone Vigilance Foundation was formed to increase awareness about the dangers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and to fund research on the damage caused by the drugs. The group advocates for stronger warnings, and to have fluoroquinolone prescriptions limited to patients with life-threatening infections. Visit the Quinolone Vigilance Foundation for more information about fluoroquinolones and the risks involved with taking them.
Are Levaquin Lawsuits Being Filed?
J&J is currently facing thousands of product liability lawsuits filed by people who allegedly developed peripheral neuropathy, irreversible nerve damage and other serious side effects after taking Levaquin. The complaints allege that Ortho-McNeil did not provide adequate warnings about the drug’s potential to cause these conditions. According to the FDA, over 60% of fluoroquinolone-induced tendon injuries have been linked to Levaquin.
Can I File a Levaquin Lawsuit?
Only a qualified attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file a lawsuit against Bayer, the maker of Levaquin, which is why we are currently offering free case evaluations. Simply fill out the confidential evaluation form below to contact our law firm now.
Most cases involving pharmaceuticals allege that a drug was sold with design, manufacturing, and/or marketing defects, which typically refers to a company’s failure to warn of a certain side effect. In the case of Levaquin, our attorneys suspect that patients may be able to take legal action in light of claims that Bayer failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the risk of peripheral neuropathy.
How Can Filing a Lawsuit Help Me?
By filing a lawsuit against the maker of Levaquin, you may be entitled to collect compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to the treatment of your peripheral neuropathy, as well as for damages for pain and suffering. Additionally, filing a lawsuit can help hold the drug’s manufacturer accountable for releasing an allegedly defective drug into the marketplace, and to discourage other pharmaceutical companies from engaging in similar conduct.
Do I have a Levaquin Lawsuit?
The Product Liability & Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Levaquin Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Levaquin peripheral neuropathy cases in all 50 states.
Free Levaquin Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one developed peripheral neuropathy after taking Levaquin, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a Levaquin Suit and we can help.