What is Levaquin?
Levaquin is a prescription drug used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. It is a member of the fluoroquinolone forms of antibiotics. Levaquin is prescribed for bacterial infections found in your sinuses and bronchi. It is also prescribed for skin infections and certain genitourinary infections. This drug is not used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) commonly found in hospitals. MRSA is known as a nosocomial infection. Nosocomial infections are infections that you acquire when you are in the hospital. Due to the overuse of antibiotics and disinfectants, resistant forms of bacteria are common in the clinical setting. Your healthcare provider will have to rule out a viral infection and know that you have a bacterial infection, as Levaquin does not kill viruses. Levaquin can be administered as a tablet, oral solution or intravenously. Depending on your situation, your doctor will determine which is best for you.
You should let your doctor know if you are sensitive to fluoroquinolone drugs, as serious allergic reactions have been reported. Let your physician know if you have had any organ transplants such as lung, kidney or heart, as this will increase your risk for certain adverse side effects such as tendonitis or tendon ruptures.
Levaquin has also been known to generate liver damage. If you experience nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fever or yellowing of the skin or eyes contact your doctor immediately as these are symptoms of damage to your liver. Nervous system disorders have also been reported. If you experience convulsions, confusion, insomnia, depression and anxiety contact your doctor. Other nervous system disturbances include changes in sensation such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness or weakness. These symptoms may indicate Levaquin induced nerve damage. It is also possible you may experience diarrhea after your treatment is terminated. This is not unusual with many antibiotics. However, inflammation of the colon has been reported and may generate chronic diarrhea as well as bloody stools with cramping and fever. There have been rare reports of heart arrhythmias, so if you have a past-history of abnormal heartbeats or low potassium levels let your doctor know. He/she will have to monitor you closely. Levaquin as well as a number of other antibiotics are known to create sun sensitivities. You will want to stay away from excessive sunlight. It is a good idea to wear protective clothing to prevent sunburn and inflammation on your skin. Interestingly, Levaquin has been administered to infants 6 months or greater to treat inhaled anthrax, however, it has been reported these infants had an increase in joint complications. Generally, Levaquin is administered to adults that are 18 years of age or older.
Levaquin Recall:
The FDA approved Levaquin, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson, in 1996. This antibiotic has been linked to an increased risk of tendon ruptures as well as permanent damage of the tendon. The tendon most commonly affected while on Levaquin is the Achilles tendon found in the heel, but there are reports of tendon rupture in the shoulder, biceps, hand and thumb. Levaquin lawsuits have been consolidated into a "multidistrict litigation" (MDL) and are scheduled for trial sometime this year. Levaquin attorneys are reviewing and investigating potential lawsuits for Levaquin users who have experienced tendon ruptures.
The FDA has received information about Levaquin side effects since it was first put on the market. In 2006, a Levaquin lawsuit was filed against the FDA indicating that the FDA had ignored warnings from numerous sources about placing warnings on Levaquin packaging. Finally, in 2008, the FDA required a "black box" label be placed on all fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including Levaquin. The FDA also required all manufacturers of fluoroquinolone antibiotics to provide a medication guide warning patients and physicians of these side effects. At this time, there is no Levaquin recall, but placing a "black box" warning on packaging may be a prelude to initiating a Levaquin recall.
If you have experienced tendonitis or a tendon rupture or any other tendon related illness while on Levaquin, you may be entitled to financial compensation. You may want to contact a Levaquin attorney to see if you qualify for a Levaquin lawsuit.
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment