FDA Warns Users of Levaquin About Risk of Tendon Ruptures

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2008 ordered Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical to add prominent warnings about the risks of tendon ruptures and tendonitis to the packaging of Levaquin. The FDA required the drug manufacturer to further alert patients, pharmacists and physicians of the increased risk of such injuries after taking the drug.

Although the FDA said many of the injuries could be avoided if patients stopped taking the drug at the first sign of pain or swelling in the tendon and notified their physicians, some injured patients reported feeling no pain or swelling in the tendon before suffering their injuries.

FDA Warning Comes After Public Outcry

The FDA order to add warnings to Levaquin’s packaging came after Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group, called on the agency to take action regarding the heightened risk of tendon injuries. The group worked for two years to get the FDA to order additional warnings and complained that the agency took too long to act, allowing untold unnecessary injuries to occur.

Learn More About Levaquin Injury Rights

People who took Levaquin and were injured may have legal rights. If you or a loved one suffered a ruptured tendon, tendonitis, or other injury while taking the drug, you may be eligible to be financially compensated for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and other damages. Contact Mark & Associates, P.C. today for a free legal consultation and evaluation of your possible case. Contact us today by completing the case submission form on this page, or by calling 1-866-50-RIGHTS (1-866-507-4448).