Missouri Injury Attorney Blog

Dangerous Drugs: Anyone who has been given a fluoroquinolone drug and experiences pain, swelling or inflammation in the area of a tendon should stop taking the drug and contact his or her physician.

Numerous reports of serious tendinitis and tendon ruptures have prompted the Food and Drug Administration to require the addition of a warning to the packaging of the powerful antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. Call David Payne Law now for more information and a free case evaluation if you or a family member has been injured as a result of this dangerous family of drugs.

These drugs include: Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Proquin (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride), Factive (gemifloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), Noroxin (norfloxacin) and Floxin (ofloxacin). Levaquin, a powerful antibiotic used to treat lung, sinus, skin and urinary tract infections, has been linked to serious side effects which includes increased risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture.

The serious risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture is increased in patients older than 60 and even more so in the recipients of kidney, heart and lung transplants. Also, an increased risk is present in patients given these antibiotics in conjunction with steroid therapy.

The Achilles is the tendon most commonly injured in such cases. However, tendons attached to the rotator cuff, the biceps, the hand and the thumb may also be affected. Injury has occurred months after drug therapy has ended.

The symptoms are real and very serious. Fluroquinolones have also been associated with such serious side effects as convulsions, hallucinations, depression, heart rhythm changes and allergic reactions.

October 2008

The FDA announced that it was requiring a "black box warning" for fluoroquinolones after prior warnings failed to reduce the large number of tendon injuries reported in patients taking the antibiotics. The FDA is urging doctors to carefully weigh the dangers associated with these antibiotics before prescribing them to patients.

Patients who experience a snapping or popping sensation in the area of a tendon, note bruising right after an injury in the area of a tendon or are unable to move or bear weight after taking the drug should also contact a doctor immediately.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious complication after taking a fluroquinolone, contact David Payne Law by phone or by filling out the free case evaluation form. You need help...and you have come to the right place.