Levaquin, Tendon Ruptures, Tendonitis

Levaquin, Tendon Ruptures, Tendonitis

Levaquin (generic name, levofloxacin) is a dangerous prescription antibiotic. Manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Levaquin is used to treat bacterial infections of skin, bones, joints, lungs, ears, airways and sinuses. Levaquin is a member of the group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones.

On July 8, 2008, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) required that Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical and other manufacturers issue black box warning to the labels of their antibiotics in the fluoroquinoles family about the increased risk of tendonitis and tendon ruptures. A black box is the strongest warning issued by the FDA. After taking Levaquin, tendons may rupture within days or weeks. The first signs of potential rupture include pain and selling or bruising around a tendon. However, some patients feel no symptoms prior to the rupture.

Other antibiotics that must now carry the black box warning from the FDA include the following:
- Penetrex (Enoxacin, made by Aventis)
- Tequin (Gatifloxacin, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb)
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin, made by Bayer HealthCare)
- Maxaquin (Lomefloxacin, made by Unimed)
- Avelox (Moxifloxacin, made by Bayer HealthCare)
- Noroxin (Norfloxacin, made by Merck)


The use of Levaquin and the above-mentioned fluoroquinolone antibiotics may also cause these other common injuries:
- Swelling of the throat and face
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
- Tingling sensation in the extremities
- Hives
- Loss of consciousness


If you or someone you care about suffered a ruptured tendon, tendonitis or other serious injury while taking Levaquin or any of the antibiotics mentioned above, please fill out our Case Review Form to the right on this page for a free consultation.