There is no question that the class of antibiotic to which Levaquin belongs, known as fluoroquinolones, remains an effective hedge against infection. It’s the Levaquin side effects and, specifically, Levaquin Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy that have patients becoming plaintiffs and seeking compensation.The Central Nervous System is one of the most intricate aspects of the human body. Fluoroquinolones are alleged to negatively impact nerves in some patients, serving to impair sensation, movement and other aspects of health. This may leave patients with persistent pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, and sensitivity to light, touch, temperature and motion in the arms and legs, as well as other problems that cause a major disruption to daily activities.
These are the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and they can last for months or even years following use of fluoroquinolones. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said as much in August of 2013 when the federal drug regulator required all manufacturers of fluoroquinolones to include stronger warnings for peripheral neuropathy - suggesting, as the agency did, that problems could last for some time after the medication was stopped. Years, in fact.
Imagine, if you were a patient taking an antibiotic prescribed by your doctor for an infection and suffering ill effects not from the infection (which might be an issue for mere days), but from the antibiotic? Many plaintiffs suffering from debilitating peripheral neuropathy years after stopping Levaquin, or other drugs in the fluoroquinolones class, claim they might have taken their chances with their infection and avoided Levaquin, Cipro or Avelox.
READ MORE LEVAQUIN LEGAL NEWS
The trio of fluoroquinolones is amongst the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the US. Little wonder the legal community expects that not only plaintiffs’ petitions to have lawsuits consolidated into an MDL will be successful, but also that Levaquin Peripheral Sensorimotor Neuropathy lawsuits will grow exponentially.
Currently, there are 49 complaints pending in 29 different federal jurisdictions. That may not seem like a large docket. However, that number has more than doubled over the past month. Speculation remains that such cases will grow and multiply into hundreds or even thousands of complaints.
A petition to the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will be heard at the end of this month, on July 30 in San Francisco.
READER COMMENTS
Audrey Webster
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Later that year in October I got another sinus infection. This time I was prescribed Cipro of course I was given generic Ciprofloxicin by CVS. (I did mention to them that I had in my records not to give generics but they said they didn’t keep it in their files. When I picked my meds up they had me sign a form informing me of their policy to be given generics! )My right ankle and top of foot swelled and ached. I
didn’t go to my foot doctor till February because after
orthopedic doctors answer and research I figured it was a waste. My foot didn’t get better. Went to my doctor and was told after testing and X-rays that it was the meds.In 2019 had my left knee replaced. In 2020 had my right on replaced. My legs aren’t right. Have nerve and muscle issues. I don’t understand why no one has helped our problems?
Josee Dusablon
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Richard Rowland
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Lisa Mayo
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John Crowell
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LInda F.
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She was told she could not get in on a lawsuit due to her taking the generic. We are going to research this further. These drugs not only change the ill person but everyone around them. Something needs to be done for brand names and generics.
Patricia Hamilton Bell
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I would advise anyone who is given a prescription for any of these drugs to run like Hell because your life is going to turn into a Hellish nightmare that doesn't end. Ever.......Thank you!
Steve Vanscoy
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Linda S.
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JK
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All I can say is if a doctor prescribes a drug, you want to know the side effects in detail.
Jane
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Anya
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Deniese berry
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mswarren@q.com
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STACEE
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Kevin Krooss
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This was all to treat a minor sinus infection.
Edna Birch
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In 2011 I became very ill, disorientated after having all teeth removed due to osteoporosis. I was not given an antibiotic at that point in time, but within 3 days I developed a fever, difficulty breathing etc. My husband called the EMT's and I was taken to a local hospital here in southern NJ. I was started on Levoquin in the ER by the physician there, and my family physician continued the medication. I did not get better in fact was getting worse within 72 hrs. I was having pain and tingling in my legs, fluid in my lungs that I felt I was drowning. I became so anemic I had to have two units of blood. The doctor wanted to tap my right lung to take out the fluid on the seventh day, and I said no, I want a second opinion. I was discharged home, and within 24 hrs of stopping the antibiotic, my breathing improved, but the pain in my legs was terrible. I was walking my hearing service dog, when I fell outside. I had to crawl to a tree to pull myself up. This falling continued, so I had my husband take me to another hospital here, and they did an x-ray saying the fluid had gone away after being off the antibiotic for 72 hrs, therefore the tap of the lung was unnecessary and could have collapsed my lung. I also worry about the blood transfusions and the possibility of any diseases or recalls of that blood. I also had intractable diarrhea develop, that caused more dehydration, and a lack of appetite. I lost 30 pounds during this timeframe.
I was admitted to the second hospital over night and then discharged home. It took one year before I could walk very well and was falling frequently. I was suppose to use a walker but used a cane as it made walking my dog easier.
Since 2011, the neuritis has continued, as tingling in my feet and toes, esp. in cold weather and every night. There is no medication that relieves the pain. It has been four years and the symptoms persist.
Being a RNCRM I am very concerned about the possibility of pleural fluid ( fluid in the lungs) as another side effect, as well as the anemia requiring blood. Any time you have to have blood transfusions you must worry about the possibility of some tainted blood that did get through. Once a lung is collapsed as mine was, it can collapse again.
I have contacted a lawyer and am so relieved to know I am not alone. In 2011 there was no warning, and no RN or MD picked up the symptoms I was displaying within 72 hrs of taking that drug. I do have this drug listed as one I am now allergic to, however I do not want any of the drugs connected to this drug.
God bless all of you that have taken it, no one knows how much we suffer.
Therese Addington
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Dana Gass
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Virginia
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Rickey
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Shari
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Gene Cass
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Kim Lemmon
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Mark Girard
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Judi Berry
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Yes, the doctor was negligent and did not keep up with the noted side effects of these drugs. The risk is higher for children and people over 60. The courts have basically given the drug manufacturers immunity, especially for generic drugs. I never dreamed that an antibiotic could be so dangerous, and that doctors are giving them out like candy. Even if I had a hint of even tendonitis, I would have never taken this drug, but nothing was said to me.
What kind of an antibiotic does nerve damage! Why don't doctors get the side effect information, do they read anything at all? This drug has changed my life. Peripheral neuropathy is devastating. This information needs to get out to the public, since doctors are not doing their jobs and drug companies are getting immunity, so they continue peddling these life changing drugs. Profit is now the most important goal, even if their drugs injure people, no worries for them.
Mark Girard
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