J&J, Ortho-McNeil and Walgreen Sued over Levaquin
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Sep 10 2009 at 2:17 PM
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Twenty plaintiffs are suing the makers and seller of Levaquin, an antibiotic used to treat various infections, for violating the Consumer Fraud Act. Four lawsuits have been filed against the companies.

Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical are the makers of Levaquin, which is sold by Walgreen Co. The drug belongs to a family of powerful antibiotics, the fluoroquinolones, which has been associated with severe adverse effects such as tendon rupture, tendon damage and tendonitis.

According to the lawsuit, J&J and Ortho-McNeil promoted Levaquin as a harmless and successful treatment for lung, sinus, skin and urinary tract infections. However, the defendants were aware that the drug can cause tendinitis and serious tendon rupture at rates higher than those linked to other antibiotics, the suit claims.

The plaintiffs also alleges that the defendants manipulated study data and downplayed the risks to physicians in order to prevent the early efforts to warn patients regarding the risks associated with the drug.

The lawsuits accuse the drug makers of negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and unjust enrichment. Walgreen is being sued for negligence and failure to warn.

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