Levaquin Linked to Tendon Damage
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Dec 06 2009 at 3:06 PM
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Texarkana, AK – Three recent lawsuits filed in East Texas and West Arkansas state that antibiotic Levaquin causes a higher rate of tendon injuries.

Levaquin is a popular antibiotic sold since 1997 as a first-line remedy for common bronchitis and sinusitis infections. The drug has also been approved to treat various upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, prostatitis and other bacterial infections.

According to the lawsuits, the higher occurrence of injuries is notable in people over the age of 60 who are on corticosteroid therapy.

The first lawsuit was filed by 60-year-old William Ramsey Jr. who started using the drug in 2007 for a sinus infection. According to his complaint, Ramsey started to experience extreme pain in both arms less than two weeks after taking Levaquin. Ramsey was treated for tennis elbow and tendonitis for several months and received cortisone injections thereafter. In 2008, he was prescribed Levaquin again for allergies. His muscles and triceps tendons in both arms separated ten days later. Ramsey underwent four failed surgeries to repair the damage. According to the complaint, Ramsey is unable to use both his arms. Ramsey filed suit against Johnson and Johnson, Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development LLC on Nov. 18 in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas. Ramsey is seeking damages for medical expenses, loss of income, permanent disability, physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairment.

Lynn Hankins, 50, is the second plaintiff who has filed a lawsuit on October 26 in the Sherman Division. Hankins ruptured her tendon in 2007 and after surgery was prescribed Levaquin for infection. She argues that the surgery failed and the tendon ruptured. According to Hankins, she required six surgeries in an attempt to repair the tendon but so far all have been ineffective. Hankins also claims she experienced right elbow pain after using the drug. Hankins also is seeking damages for medical expenses, loss of income, permanent disability, physical pain, mental anguish and physical impairment.

The third lawsuit was filed by Tommy and Tess Burke filed suit on November 17 in the Texarkana Division of the Western District of Arkansas. Tess Burke was prescribed Levaquin in 2006. According to the lawsuit, she experienced damage to tendons in her legs after using the drug. Burke argues that she is unable to perform regular every day tasks and that her life quality has decreased. Burke is seeking damages for medical expense, economic losses, lost income, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.

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