6 Nov
Here is a brief summary of the warning signs of tendonitis and tendon ruptures after taking Levaquin. If you or someone you know has taken Levaquin and would like to learn more about the possibility of joining a lawsuit against the manufacturers (Ortho-MacNeil and Johnson & Johnson), visit Legaltube or call our sponsor firm, Slater Rosenberger & Schulman, at 1-800-251-6990.
3 Nov
Here is Part 5 of the excellent documentary Certain Adverse Events. Memorable quote: “Why not start prescribing fluoroquinolones the way they were designed to be prescribed – as a last line of defense?”
29 Oct
Here is Part 4 of the documentary Certain Adverse Events. John Fratti from Levaquin Adverse Effects Blog is featured in this segment. If you have experienced similar adverse effects, post your experiences in the comments section.
27 Oct
Zark from www.ZarkAnderson.com posted the following piece. It has some great advice for both potential Levaquin users and prescribers.
Yesterday my younger son called from college, telling the doctor had just prescribed Levaquin for some bug that he has been unable to shake. We immediately advised him to return and request a completely different antibiotic.
Wiki tells that levofloxacin is a chemotherapeutic drug used to treat bacterial infections. More specifically, it is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic with sister drugs such as Noroxin and Cipro. This family of drugs kills bacteria by interfering with DNA replication. Other families of antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins attack other structures of the bacteria instead of inhibiting DNA replication.
Sounds like a sophisicated antibiotic doesn’t it? However, Wiki tells us in Adverse effects of fluoroquinolones there are adverse drug reactions in 5 to 16 percent of patients. Although rarer, there are serious adverse effects such as central nervous system (CNS) toxicity and tendon toxicity. FDA orders ‘black box’ label on some antibiotics tells that in July 2008, the FDA ordered manufacturers to warn patients about possible tendon ruptures and tendonitis. In the CNN article, the FDA stated it had received ‘hundreds’ of reports of tendon problems correlated to fluoroquinolones.
Almost one month prior to the FDA action, I took Levaquin for an infection. I had only taken two pills and while running on that second day was stricken with tendonitis in my quadriceps and hamstrings so badly that I could barely make it home. Later the tendonitis became much more widespread. I am not exaggerating – it was scary. To read some of the horror stories of other patients, see The Flouroquinolone Syndrome.
It is important to understand the potential adverse reactions to these antibiotics is not an upset stomach or rash, but a real risk of tendon ruptures and other damage. After about six months of exercising in a pool, the tendonitis subsided and I was able to resume running. And I only took two pills.
It is not my intent to bash the pharmaceutical companies – we need new and better medicines all the time. But after my son innocently received a prescription for Levaquin, I decided I should issue a personal warning about these antibiotics. There is a reason that the FDA has issued a black box warning.
Physicians – do not prescribe them unless it is a life-or-death situation. Prescribe another antibiotic.
Patients – Likewise, if you receive a script for Levaquin, ask for something different.
Source: http://www.zarkanderson.com/2009/10/caution-about-levaquin.html
25 Oct
How would anyone believe that you could take 5 pills and 8 and a half years later still be getting flareups?
Here is Part 3 of the documentary Certain Adverse Events. This segment examines the cozy relationship between the FDA and the drug companies, as well as giving light to victims’ experiences with Levaquin. Do the victims’ testimonials sound familiar to you? If so, post your experiences in the comments section below.
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