Levaquin Information

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin (levofloxacin) is a fluoroquinolone class antibiotic manufactured by Ortho-McNeil, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, which is indicated for use by adults ages 18 and older. It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections ranging from pneumonia and bronchitis to urinary tract infections. It may be administered by injection, oral solution, or tablets.

Levaquin was FDA approved in 1996. However, in 2002 and 2007 the warning label was amended to include a warning about the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture. In July of 2008 the warning label changed again to include the so-called "black box" warning which emphasizes the risk for tendinitis and tendon rupture in all ages, but especially for those over 60 and who are also taking corticosteroids.

More recently, the use of Levaquin and another popular antibiotic, Avelox, have been associated with liver failure, liver disease / injury, drug-induced hepatitis.

All content by attorney Tom Lamb

Levaquin Case Evaluation

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Among Several Antibiotics In The Fluoroquinolone Class, Levaquin Has The Most Tendon Injury Lawsuits Filed To Date

While all of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox, and others, received a "black-box" warning citing the associated increased risk of tendon injury, Levaquin stands out has having the most lawsuits filed by injured patients using this drug.

A “Black Box” Warning About Tendon Injury Is Added To The Levaquin Package Insert In July 2008

The FDA finally pushes Ortho-McNeil to add a "black box" warning to the package insert, or label, of its fluoroquinolone antibiotic, Levaquin. The black box warning was a long-awaited amendment to the former label which only mentioned the risk for tendon rupture in a long list of other side effects.

Putting Pressure On The FDA: Public Citizen Petition To Add Stronger Warnings To Levaquin Label

Public Citizen's August 2006 Petition states that warnings about the risk of tendon injury on the label for Levaquin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics are not strong enough.  Requesting that "Dear Doctor" letters be sent out and that "black box" warnings be added, the Petition forces the FDA to take a closer look at Levaquin. 

Levaquin Class Actions

We believe that people who suffered a serious injury due to the Levaquin antibiotic are better served when an individual lawsuit is filed on their behalf. A serious injury case should not be filed as part of any Levaquin class action together with the claims of many other people who may have had different injuries caused by this fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Legal Compensation for Levaquin Injuries

If you experienced serious side effects or adverse reaction from the use of Levaquin, you may have a claim for legal compensation. Legal compensation claims involving injuries caused by the use of Levaquin are made by filing a lawsuit in court. All states have statutes of limitations that determine the time period allowed to file a Levaquin lawsuit.

Drug Injury Watch: Levaquin News And Commentary

Levaquin and Avelox Linked To Increased Risk Of Liver Injury In Older Patients According To New Canadian Study

August 2012 CMAJ Medical Journal Article Adds To Hepatotoxicity Evidence Against These Two Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

SUMMARY: According to a new study published in August 2012, use of the popular antibiotics Avelox (moxifloxacin) and Levaquin (levofloxacin) by older patients is associated with increased likelihood of hospitalization for acute and sometimes fatal liver injury.

More specifically, this Canadian study reported that Avelox and Levaquin were associated with roughly a doubling of the risk for hospitalization for serious and sometime fatal liver injury relative to Biaxin (clarithromycin), another common antibiotic.

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Earlier Levaquin articles by Tom Lamb on the Drug Injury Watch blog:

Current Use Of Cipro And Levaquin Associated With Increased Risk Of Detached Retina Eye Injury

First Levaquin Lawsuit Trial In Federal Court MDL Litigation Started In Mid-November 2010

February 2010: Levaquin MDL Bellwether, Or Test, Cases Selected For First Trials

Levaquin Has Been Associated With Dysglycemia Events Such As Hyperglycemia And Hypoglycemia

Levaquin Federal Court Cases Already Have MDL; Now "Mass-Tort Treatment" Requested in New Jersey State Court

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

Levaquin Associated With Blood Sugar Problems And Liver Disorders

Some Antibiotics Linked To Tendon Rupture; Public Citizen Petitions FDA For Stronger Warnings