Levaquin Lawsuit: Attorneys Disagree over Trial and Discovery Plan
Published: October 20th, 2008 • Comments: 58
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A status conference was held Friday before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim, who is overseeing the federal Levaquin lawsuits pending in Minnesota. In documents filed with the Court before the conference, the attorneys for the parties disagreed about the process the court should adopt for selecting the first cases for trial.
Levaquin is an antibiotic sold by Johnson & Johnson for treatment of upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, prostatis and other bacterial infections. It is part of a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, which have been associated with tendon toxicity and an increased risk of tendon ruptures, most frequently involving the Achilles tendon.
All Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuits filed in federal court have been consolidated and centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota before Judge Tunheim for pre-trial litigation as part of a procedure known as an MDL, or multidistrict litigation.
Under the federal procedure, the cases are all handled together to during discovery and pretrial litigation to efficiently move the mass tort cases through the court system. The MDL rules normally require that cases be returned to the original jurisdiction where they were filed for trial.
On October 15, 2008, lawyers representing plaintiffs with a Levaquin lawsuit in the MDL filed a Proposed Discovery and Trial Plan which asked the court to set initial trial dates and case specific discovery in cases filed directly in the District of Minnesota. They indicated that this would allow the Court overseeing the MDL to preside over the trials as well, ensuring the cases would not be transferred to another forum for trial.
In pharmaceutical litigation involving claims for drug side effects, the first trials scheduled are considered “bellwether” cases, which are selected to be representative of the issues which will be presented throughout the litigation, and to help establish potential values for various groups of similar cases.
On October 16, 2008, the defendants, Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals Research & Development and their subsidiary Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, filed a response to the plaintiffs’ proposed Levaquin lawsuit trial plan, indicating that it was premature and inappropriate to designate the cases at this time.
They indicated that parties have not had an opportunity to gather sufficient information to assess which cases would be most representative of the issues presented in the Levaquin tendon rupture litigation.
The cases allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn users about the potentially debilitating side effects of Levaquin. The lawsuits selected for the first trials trial will be used to gauge various issues in the litigation, such as the impact of other risk factors for tendon ruptures, the use of Levaquin together with corticosteriods, the increased risk among those over 60 and the sufficiency of the different variations of the Levaquin warning label.
The defendants indicated that the court should allow additional case-specific discovery to ensure a proper and informed selection of cases which “will evoke the most important issues” for trial.
Comment by david on 28 October 2008:
Typical stalling tactics by the defendants. Same thing we see regarding the Black Box Warnings request by the FDA in June of 2008, regarding spontaneous tendon ruptures and the fluoroquinolones. Here it is almost November, FOUR MONTHS LATER and still NO Black Box Warnings OR Dear Doctor Letters. Same request was made by Public Citizen in 1996 when levaquin first hit the market, as well as the Attorney General of the State of Ilinois in 2005. Still NO Black Box Warnings, and still NO Dear Doctor Letters either. Even while negoiating with the FDA regarding these new warnings J and J CONTINUED stating that the warnings were more than adequate in a personal corrspondence to me. Yet their defense is that the warnings are adequate in spite of this being a known adverse reaction to this class for two and one half decades. Please……how much more “disovery” could they possibly need? They have twenty five years worth. Levaquin blows tendons, plaintiff’s blew a tendon after taking Levaquin. Warnings regarding this have been grossly inadequate for over two and a half decades now for the whole class and over a decade for levaquin alone. End of story.
Comment by Pam on 28 October 2008:
I had a terrible reaction to levaquin. I attached my central nervous system and caused nerve damage all along my spine. My left lung shut down and nerve damage down my leg. It has taken months for recovery and I am not still not recovered since the end of August. It is almost Nov. now. It should not be on the market it is deadly.
Comment by Marty on 14 November 2008:
I started a ten day routine of Levaquin for a sinus infection May 22, 2008. Somewhere around the fifth day of the routine, my right ankle became very painful. I completed the tenth day on May 31, 2008. The pain did not cease and on June 13, I stepped off my front porch stoop and my ankle tendon tore (with the “grain”) and as a result, broke my ankle. The tendon became detached from the bone causing the break.
I have no history of anything like this occurring in my past and looking back realize without a doubt that the Levaquin caused the problem. My orthopaedist placed a boot on my foot and told me to keep it immobile and elevated for 3-4 weeks.
On July 1, 2008 I had an episode of oxygen deprivation and thought I was having a heart attack. Had to go to the hospital the next day and a CT Scan revealed both lungs full of blood clots. My cardiologist said it was from the ankle break/tear and stated that one more blood clot would have caused a stroke or worse. Had I died, no one would have ever discovered the hidden cause (the Levaquin), it may have even been blamed on the sinus infection itself.
I want to make it clear that the tendon did NOT rupture in the usual sense of the word. My orthodaedist (I tried three times) finally said yes, it could have been caused by the Levaquin because there was no other reason. Many, many orthopaedists give their patients Cipro/Levaquin after surgery and I could tell the orthopaedist resented my bringing it up and forcing a response.
Comment by humberto on 17 November 2008:
I had been taking levaquin since 2001 prior to me being admitted to the
hospital in 2006. I had endocharditus infection in my heart my doctor at that time said I would need it for life. Legs swelled, could not urinate and lost my breath Icould not walk 5 ft. without loss of breath at the hospital. I had thought the levaquin stopped working causing all
my system to fail.
Comment by Rosialee on 25 November 2008:
I took levaquin around the 1st of Feb 2008. I have had problems with my joints hurting more than usual but though this was because I have back problems. In June and July, my shoulders began hurting even more and I had pain that I have never had before, as well as in my arms and hands. At the end of July, my left shoulder had so much pain that it felt like something tore. The pain is so bad that it makes me sick to my stomach. The catscan shows tendonitis and bursistis. My job is not physical and this should not be there by simpley moving my arm.
Comment by Kathleen on 10 December 2008:
I was prescribed Levaquin October 28,2008. I was being treated for a UTI.I took the 500mg. of Levaquin for 11 days. First I experienced like symptoms of Fibromyalgia .My entire body ached. I could hardly walk,or grasp anything. I have been having delibitating pain.The tendons in my arms are so painful.I went to the doctor and told her that my still was experiencing pain even after two weeks.I have never had such pain in my muscles and joints.
Comment by Debbie on 14 December 2008:
Who is the best person to contact regarding joing a class action lawsuit for Levaquin? I’ve responded to a few sites online, but not received much response. I had to have rotator cuff surgery as a result of the drug. It also gave me shortness of breath and chest pain.
Comment by Cari on 27 December 2008:
Well this is a real eye opener… Firstly in 1999/2000 (Christmas /New year period) I was diagnosed with a bronchial infection…and was prescribed Levaquin. I became increasingly ill and took a long time to recover. I attributed it all to the infection. Then about four months later after having continuous pain ever since ‘infection’ I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.!! I was told i would have to live with this pain..which was/is at times unbearable. However in 2004 i was given Ciprofloxicin for another infection…..I became terribly ill and in far worse pain than ever before….again i attributed it all to the infection and that i had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (which apparently has no known cause) In 2007 I was given levaquin for a parotid gland infection, for some reason my glands were going bananas !!! Again I experienced horrendous pain and my ankles became so tender and I could hardly walk. Not to mention that my hips were burning with pain as were my feet and my joints in general. Again i thought that my “”"Fibromyalgia”"” was flaring and that it must get worse at times of infection. Then in August 2008 again I was prescribed Levaquin for a sinus infection….. again I was in tortuous pain in my legs feet ankles etc and this time my right knee felt like it had been hit with a sledgehammer….I thought I must have hurt it and forgotten about hurting myself….!!!!! I stayed this way till now as I await an MRI…..BUT in October I had another prescription for \Levaquin as my sinus infection had returned….pain again just like before went out of control.
Finally this month december 2008 I was again prescribed a quinolone….Avelox…and lo and behold I was in agony by 2nd pill…. Knee became worse ankles were like knives were attacking them…..and a host of symptoms that I can now relate to Quinolone antibiotics. Levaquin started it all in my opinion and I feel absolutely violated and abused….my life is total pain….. and that pain increases ten times over at least every time I take one of these poisonous drugs…. I can PROVE that my problems are Levaquin related…. Emerg visits, Fibro diagnosis, knee problem, ankles from hell, digestive probs, heart pain, gland problems…all since Levaquin…. I was healthy and working 3 jobs before 1999…..
I am gathering all my info….I will n ot let this rest… i am a nurse by profession and will not stop till I prove it all.
Comment by Tami on 4 January 2009:
I was given Levaquin for a sinus infection on 9-30-08. By the 5th pill I could not lift a cup of coffee with my left elbow. My left heal and tendon to second toe on left foot began to scream with pain. I soon developed hives on my body and in aV pattern from my chin down, I have eye floaters that make areas I look at dark gray. Then my intestines started churning and gurggling like never before, by 12-23-08 I had a CT scan for abdominal pain and found a severe infection in my ascending colon. That was also listed as a possible side effect. How do we unite to stop the spread of this drug and it’s debilitating side effects? I am in, because what if they decide to approve it for our children? The physicians are in bed with the drug companies thru kickbacks and the FDA is in bed with the drug companies. Just ask your doctor” Do you need to be punitively reminded of you hipocratic oath? See what flies then.
Comment by Mary on 4 February 2009:
I ruptured my left posterior tibial tendon on Jan. 3, 2005. My physician had given me Levaquin, Cipro and steroid shots between Nov & Dec 2004. I could not walk correctly. It took me 6 mo to get an MRI and the correct diagnosis. After 1 1/2 years walking with a leg brace, I had the surgery Nov. 06, rehab to learn to walk again, another surgery Jun, 07; rehab to learn to walk again; knee repacement surgery Jul 08 and another rehab. I had no idea that my injury was related to the medication until the newspaper accounts of the black box warning.
Comment by Sherry on 20 April 2009:
After taking Levaquinn for about 4 weeks for a Chronic sinus infection I developed severe pain in my knees.After I called and told them this they toom me off of it.The pain continued, went to doctor they did x-rays said I had Arthritis in both of them.I never had this problem before.I am on Naoproxen and vicodin,I still am in pain.
Comment by Kathy on 23 April 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin for an upper respiratory infection. After the third pill, I woke up in the morning with severe pain. It felt as if my fingers would break when I bent them, pain in my elbows, knees and shoulder. The fingers and elbows have gotten somewhat better but I am still have severe pain in my knee and shoulder. If I bend my knee it feels as if there is glass in there and it is going to break. This is going to adversely affect my schooling for nursing as I will start working in the hospital next week. I am tired of being in pain. This medication should be removed from the market.
Comment by Barbara on 30 April 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin Tabs 500 mg on 02/18/09 and again 03/17/09. In the last week of March I was walking in my house and had a sudden pain as if someone kicked the back of my ankle, I wasn’t able to touch my heel to the floor because of pain in my achilles tendon. I’m still not able to put all my weight on my foot because of pain from my calf muscle to my heel, and the back of my ankle aches with most any movement.
Comment by Debbie on 6 May 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin for a chronic sinus infection in October 2008. As I finished the meds my left achilles tendon began burning. Then the pain went away. In November 2008, I was prescribed Levaquin again (now given the warning) after 10 days my achilles tenton began hurting and burning, again. I stopped the medicine. Now it is May and I am still in a lot of pain. It is had to walk. I am on Naoproxen and am still in pain.
Comment by Ellen on 18 May 2009:
When I read these posts I just want to cry…I know what these people are feeling as I have suffered some of the same symptoms. The sad thing is that I didn’t know at the time that it was being caused by taking levaquin. After taking several courses of levaquin 500mg. over a period of years I decided to check the net to see what kind of side effects levaquin had. I had just taken my 10th dose and wondered if it may have something to do with the excrutiating pain I was having in my knees and hands. Now I’m afraid that I’ll never be free from the pain. I think justice should require the makers and pushers of this drug to take their own medicine. Maybe it doesn’t effect everyone, but who wants to play russian roulette!
Comment by debra on 3 June 2009:
on may 13th,2009 i was prescribed leviquin for a serious upper respiratory infection. dr. said that we needed an aggressive antibiotic because of copd. i didnt know anything about this drug. but on the 3rd day, it hurt to walk.my knees were cracking.my knees swelled and my thumb swelled. it kept on hurting. i take other mdes but this was the only new one i was on. on 6-1-09 i leaned down in a grocery store to get an item and pain shot thru my legs and i fell. i could get up. pain in trying to bend me knees to get up made me cry out.it took to people to help me up and it was unbelievable pain. now if i write for more than 15 minutes, my thumb swells. its like suddenly you have rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. i live where there is 12 steps i have to climb.i try to breathe in and out to prevent from screaming. my ankles hurt. grocery shopping and carrying my groceries is dreadful.its like i traded in an illness for a nightmare. i took this drug for 10 days, the highest dose . i tried to get into my family dr quick but have an appointment on 6-10-09. so i went to an urgent care. the dr. said leviquin was on the market for 12 years and he had seen 3 cases of this. he gave me some pain med and nsaid patches for my right knee. whats bad was in 2000, i fell and tore my acl and meniscus in my left. the pain is bad in that knee now but my good knee is like theres no synovial fluid left. how long will this last? is the damage permanent? this drug costs over 30.00 a pill without insurance.i have insurance and with a coupon from its maker i paid 45.00. i am thankful i donthave the uri but omg this is os not worth it. dont let anyone you love take this.fda where are you? debra
Comment by debra on 3 June 2009:
i see my md 10th of june. bad thing is i cannot take nsaids, which is what they prescribe.orally. so i am using the patches. but they are quite expensive.thank God for samples.nsaids orally-cause chest pain and affect other surgery procedure.
Comment by Judy on 8 June 2009:
I have been taking Levaquin off and on for about 10 years cause I am allergic to penicillin and sulpha drugs. This one I could tolerate. About 7 years ago I had the ankle pain. Went to an orthopedic and he said I had a tear in the achilles tendon. I thought…..well I didn’t injure myself in anyway. Over the course of these past couple years I am going to a foot and ankle specialist on a regular basis. He has prescribed me a boot to wear, also a night splint and currently I am waiting on some ankle braces. This is in both achilles tendons. Have also been through physiotherapy with no help. I have also let the doctor put a cast on me for 3 weeks. Helped a little, but just did it on one leg. At one doc appt I told him I had breathing issues…they say it is “probaly copd or asthma”. I also went thru the chest and back pain so severe I thought I was having a heart attack. Even went thru a stress test and lots of blood work to see if I had one. I didn’t. Severe pain in my arms too. I am shopping an attorney now. My foot specialist had no problem thinking it was from Levaquin when I mentioned to him. (He has another patient with same issues) and is from levaquin. I refuse the surgery, VERY LONG recouperation time.
Comment by Don on 9 June 2009:
I was on levaqin Jan 09 for bronchitis after a 5 day 750mg dose of leaqin I ruptured the petila tendone, needing surgery to reattach the tendone. Still going to therapy to try and get back to normal. I am a carpenter by trade and this has affected my whole life.
Comment by Mary on 9 June 2009:
I took Levaquin in December of 2006 for 10 days and woke up on the 9th or 10th day with swollen joints to where I could not bend my knees. With medication, the swelling went down, but the pain in my hip never went away – it is now June of 2009. I contacted OrthoMcNeil right away and reported this side effect. Several months later, after MRI’s x-rays, injections epidurals, etc., I filed a report with the FDA. My life has never been the same. The doctor who replaced my knee (not a direct result of the levaquin apparently) said that my hip did not have arthritis and was not a surgical issue. I am still having problems and can’t walk any distance without discomfort. I usually wear a TNS unit or a lidocaine patch for the pain, in addition to taking antiinflammatory medication
Comment by Beth on 10 June 2009:
March of 2008 I was put on Levaquin for an infection in my lower back. Since this infection turned out to be a MRSA I was on Levaquin for 2 weeks instead of the standard 7 day treatment. Within 2 days of being on Levaquin my wrists, just under the thumb, on both hands became swollen and very painful. The slightest bump put me in tears. i immediately complained to my doctor who said oh its probably arthritis. I didn’t know anything at that time about Levaquin or what it could do. Finally after a year of pain and swelling in my wrists my doctor referred me to an orthopedist/rheumatologist. By this time I had begun to read about Levaquin. When i told the orthopedist I had been on Levaquin he told me that it was bad stuff. Turns out i do have tendon synovitis believed to have been caused by the Levaquin, since I had been engaged in no activity that should have caused this. So far I have been given cortizone injections in both wrists and am currently going to PT 3 times a week. This medication is bad news.
Comment by Maureen on 30 June 2009:
In Sept. 08 I went to the ER for severe abdominal pain. Hospitalized one day for observation. I was given two I V ’s of Levaquin. Released and to follow up with Cipro and Metronisizal for 10 da. I began to have pain in my left shoulder, so painful I could not raise my arm. Next thing I had pain in my thighs, calves and ankles. I was able to see my Dr. 4 or 5 days within my release from the hospital. After several visits he ordered an MRI. The MRI report showed that I had a small tear in my rotator cuff. He injected my shoulder with a steroid. Then I did get some relief in my shoulder. I was referred to an Orthopedist – he suggested that I go to Physical Therapy. I did this 2 to 3 times a week for 6 wks. During this PT I began to have better use of the arm and shoulder.
During the time I was in Physical Therapy, I was suddenly not able step on my left ankle. Had x-rays it showed no fractures. Saw another Orthopedist, he said I had posterior tibial tendon problems. He prescribed custom made orthotics. It took weeks for me to adjust to wearing them. Just the cuff of the shoe touching the inflammed tendon was unbearable.
I have been taking strong pain medications as the shoulder pain has returned. I can walk for about 5 min., and that is it. When I shop I have had to use a rider to manuever in the stores.
These medications have changed me from a healthy active person to one struggling to dress myself and limited to 5 minutes -top – of walking. I have used an ice pack on my ankle for the past 7 months.
Do the manufacturers of Levaquin and Cipro have take any responsiblity that leaves me in pain and struggling each day?
Comment by Linda on 30 June 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin 500mg. for 10 days in January of 2009. It was for an intestinal infection. I felt terrible the first day , but continued to take it. I had very stiff knees and could not bend to walk up steps and ached all over. But I thought I should continue to take it because it was an antibiotic. I had not had any trouble with my knees ever! I finally looked on line for side effects after 7 days of taking this horrible drug ( which made me feel worse than the infection) and saw all the emails of people with my same symptoms! I immediately stopped taking the drug. I called my Internist ,who had prescribed the drug ,and told her about my knees and they said that it wasn’t from the Levaquin because I hadn’t taken it long enough! To do that! I still have this pain in my right knee and getting worse everday ! Finally I went to an orthopaedic doctor, He ordered an MRI and said I have a torn meniscus and need surgery. These drugs need to be taken off the market!
Comment by Susan on 8 July 2009:
In December of 2006, I had surgery on my right foot for a neuroma. I got a staph infection and was given Levaquin the first week of Jan. 2007. I took the full 10 day course, still had the staff infection and was given a second prescription for levaquin, When I started the second series, my hands became very painful. I could hardly bend myfingers, especially my right hand. I went to my primary care physician thinking the staff infection had spread, but was told it was the levaquin. Months later, in August 2007 , I had to have tendon release surgery on my right hand, as the tendon in one finger would not release. I had weeks of therapy, and now two years later my finger still goes stiff and has pain. I have been having other health issues and now I am wondering if Levaquin could be the cause of those. I want to be in on any legal procedures. This has been Hell.
Comment by Melanie on 23 July 2009:
As others I have taken Levaquin on and off for major sinus infections for the past 2 years. Last year 2008 I started having trouble with tendonitis in my elbows. Both would hurts at different times making it almost unbearable to sleep etc. While just dealing with it with prescribed anti inflammatories and cortisone tablets, I managed to lose 37 lbs. Since January of this year the condition progressed to where it affected the tendons in my shoulder. After cortisone injections the elbows got better, but the rotator cuff has now partially torn without a documented recent injury. To top it off I have gained 27 pounds back from the cortisone. Have others had the same things and if s why were the doctors not informed of this. I ask this because my husband is a doctor and treated me with levaquin a coupe of times. He would never have prescribed it if he knew it would do this to me.
Comment by walter on 30 July 2009:
i took antibiotic for three weeks and i was doing my regular routine and my achille tendon tore ive been thru sugery and i’m not held yet its wierd i know the arts and i’m very limber this was very odd
Comment by Rose on 10 August 2009:
I started taking Levaquin along with Difflucon and Avaclor during Chemotherapy treatments from 12-07 through 8-08. Before I got sick I was a very healthy person and never had any pain. But during Chemo and until this day, I have pain all the time in my Quadicep Tendons that attach to the knee cap. I also have pain in both my wrists and have limited movement during daily activities that involve using my wrist. Sometimes I get shooting pains in my elbows and shouldersm but my knees are the worse. I have never in my life been on prescription pain medication for a long period of time. But now if I don’t take pain meds everyday to ease the pain, I can not move. I have tried to function like before I got sick, but that will never happen because my knees, wrists and other body parts hurt to bad. I DO NOT want to live on pain meds the rest of my life, I am 39 years old! I shouldn’t be taken pain meds now, I am just starting to enjoy my boys and be active with them in sports. It shouldn’t be this way. I know several people who have had cancer and are in remission and are back to normal. I have always wondered why the cancer survivors I know are doing great and I suffer everyday. Now I know. It has to be the Levaquin I took all those months. Even after Levaquin is stopped, my pain will not.
Comment by Phillip on 10 August 2009:
In march I was feeling bad and had a blood test and my bloood count was real low. My doctor said I had to go to the hospital to get a boold transfusion, before I could get to the hospital I passed out a friend took me to the er there they put heart monitors on me and checked me into a room.They determined that my colotis made me loose the blood with a scope,while in the hospital they give me levofloxacin and in a day or two sent me home within weeks I had every side effect you could think of I’m a veteran so I was lucky to get to Gainsville VA,I developed a rash over 3/4 of my body lost movement in my legs,right arm, I lessened to the doctors talk to my wife in the hall they were scarced that I wasn’t going to make it back.The treatment was IV’s predisone,high dose witch has made me over weight,now i”m on blood pressure pills,and feel worse than ever.
Comment by Ron on 17 August 2009:
The symptoms of my levaquin use
In 2007 I contacted MRSA in the hospital after a minor surgery; I was given Levaquin then and several times since. My right leg, foot and ankle have been severely swollen for over a year and it is getting worse, I have constant excruciating pain, and can hardly bear any weight on them; if I do walk the pain almost becomes debilitating. This has caused me to experience extreme sleep deprivation and depression.
Comment by Ellen on 20 August 2009:
I am very concerned with what is going on. I took this drug in March 2007. I suffered some side effects, but my problems did not start until May when my shoulder froze up and my muscles began to twitch. It took a full year for the shoulder to heal, but the twitching is has never gone away. I have been in constant pain since taking this drug. Not knowing this drug was a problem, I took it again in October 2008 for a sinus infection. I ended up in the emergency room with dizziness, nausea, chest pains, blurred vision and ringing ears. I have since had another frozen shoulder and constant horrible neck and arm pain. Now my doctor tells me I have developed scolosis, something I have never had. I am in constant pain, my muscles twitch constantly and I am looking for answers. I never associated these problems with this drug, but the time frames fit. I just want answers and for the pain to go away.
Comment by Crystal on 24 August 2009:
I took Levaquin first in about 2005 for a sinus infection then was prescribed this drug several more times. Approximately 3 months after the first 10 day dose of Levaquin I developed shoulder problem. As I rodeo for a living as well as teach school this was very serious. I was unable to ride nor raise my arm at a blackboard for the better part of 6 months. Then something happened to my back and ribs and now when I ride it feels like all the bones are bumping together. Most recently I injured my sacrio-tuberous ligament which may cost me my livelihood all together. Can anyone tell me if your ligaments will ever return to normal after the use of this drug, or is my life as I knew it over. If so I am not going to take it sitting down.
Comment by Linda on 24 August 2009:
I scheduled a visit to see my doctor regarding a possible UTI, during the same visit I mentioned that I also might have a reoccurring case of vaginosis. Anyhow he ran my pee test and said there were no signs of me having a UTI but he would prescribe Lavaquin and it should clear up any bacteria in my body. So i filled my prescription and of course looked online to see what other side effects this medication might cause..so upon reading I called the Pharmacist and asked why my doctor would recommend this type of medication to treat vaginosis as one of the side effects was Vaginitis..so the pharmacist insisted that it would take care of the problem because it kills good and bad bacteria and also recommended I take a pro biotic to replenish my good bacteria. Anyhow…I took the medication and I just couldn’t function properly, my body started to ache after being on it for 7 days my whole body still aches, it hurts every time I take a deep breath, my elbows ache, neck and shoulders do too. I just don’t feel like myself, I just feel horrible. I have been a pretty healthy girl, just the occasional yeast infection. I just don’t know what to do, i feel broken and as if 5 years of my life have been taken away in a matter of 7days. My arm pits hurt, my left boob does as well…these pharmaceutical companies are killing us slowly. I called my doctor to discuss the after math of this pill and have not heard back from him yet. I am 100% sure it was from this pill, i had no prior issues or aches until I took this stupid pill.
Comment by Patsy on 26 August 2009:
WOW! I can’t believe all of your stories. In March
2009 I took Levaquin. In April I had to go to my MD due to my knee hurt so bad. He took an x-Ray and then an MRI. Results were a torn Meniscus. So now I am scheduled to see the orthopedic surgeon. I am so mad because it should have been taken off the market when many of you suffered from torn tendons in 2008.
Comment by Maria on 3 September 2009:
During the winter of 2008/09, I suffered with a chronic condition of sinusitis and upper bronchitis. Finally, after several recurrences of these conditions, my Dr. put me on Levaquin 500mg tabs for 21 days starting on 6/17/2009. As I was taking the drug, I noticed problems with muscle and joint pain mainly in my shoulder, wrist, thumb, and right knee. I was unaware of the adverse side effects of the drug and continued to take the drug.My initial condition cleared up but the above mentioned painful areas continued to bother me. It is now September 2 and in the last 3 weeks, I have had my right knee swell, I am unable to raise my left shoulder any higher than my shoulder, and my right thumb is very painful and I am unable to open my thumb. I’d say about a 50% decrease in lateral range of motion. I am calling my Dr. today! I was unaware that there were any side effects that involved these type of symptoms and I am very upset over this new knowledge. I am a 49 yr old woman who is trying to go back to school for a degree and now I am worried that I may have to have surgery to correct some of these conditions. If that happens, I will be unable to complete my degree because recovery will keep me out of school.
Comment by george on 13 September 2009:
Took Levaquin(Levofloxacin) for 7 days under the name Tavanic 500MG
1 per day. By the 7th day I could bearly breath right. My heartbeat got very irregular. I was healthy as a horse. Go for regular checkups evry 4 months. All was well with me until I took that medicine for a bladder infection caused by kidney stone. I am now seeing a heart specialist to help me hopefully rid this terrible side effect. For the CEO’s that decide to keep producing and selling this drug would you be willing to take it yourself?
Comment by lynn on 15 September 2009:
In Jan 09 was prescribed levaquin after an infection from surgery that i had to remove some pre-cancer lesions ,A day after the surgery I got an infection in the surgical site , My OBGYN then prescribed me levaquin … I few weeks later I experienced severe leg pains daily I thought it was due my body lying in bed to recover from the surgery. Once I recovered from the infection. I tried to resume normal activities around the house I have a two story condo with a basement I am unable to go up and down the stairs the pain is and was horrific. I made an appt with a foot and ankle specialist and sure enoug I had torn my achilles tendon on my left foot I was placed in a walking cast for 7 weeks and it still would not heel so the Dr put me in a non walking cast for 8 weeks and in a wheelchair. I went out on disability at my job. While the left foot was casted the right tendon began to tear.. I do not now what i am going to do I am only 48 yrs old and levaquin did this to me..It is dangerous My life is over..I cannot work at my job..
Comment by Terri on 18 September 2009:
After taking Levaquin, my knees swelled up. I was given prednisone but the swelling did not go down. Six months later still swollen and very painful. I just had an MRI, tendonitis with Vertical perpheral tear of lateral meniscus. I have to use a can to walk now and I am in constant pain.
Comment by Ron on 21 September 2009:
In April, ‘09 I had diverticulitis and was prescribed Levaquin. At the time I had just started a racquetball league. During one of my matches I lunged for a ball and felt something pop in the back of my knee. After a few days both of my knees started to hurt and ultimately I had difficulty walking. I was diagnosed as having a likely meniscus tear in my left knee. I was in pain for months. I didn’t make the connection that Levaquin was the culprit of my joint issues, and got another round of the drug in July, ‘09 for another round of diverticulitis. Not only did I have joint pain this time, but I broke out in horrendous hives. (Even my tongue had hives!) This drug needs to be OFF OF THE MARKET!
Comment by Mike on 25 September 2009:
Was prescribed levaquin about 6 different times for severe ear aches and dental surgery 2006/2007/2008 Starting In november of 2008 I experienced severe swelling around my knees. Was at one point unable to srtaighten left leg out all the way and was in severe pain, Went to an orthopedic specialist and had an MRI ordered and found that both knees had tears in the cartlidge (per the orthopedic specialist)! Now i am unable to walk for any extended period of time or distance. Any long walks result in severe pain in my knees and hip! The specialist recommended orthoscopic surgery on both knees . Also experiencing severe pain in my left hip when i try to walk a distance of more than 100 yards. I am not overweight and my past and present job is performed mostly in the sitting position( this problem did not occur from any abuse of my knee joints). I obtained a copy of my MRI for my records and any future reference!
Comment by Fran on 1 October 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin in Dec. 2009 prior to sinus surgery in Jan. 2009. I thought I was just having a difficult time recovering from the surgery – took 2 months to start feeling just a little better. I have felt terrible (like Fibromyalgia symptoms) since. I had mild pain in my hips from osteoarthritis but after taking Levaquin the pain was 10 times worse. I have developed new joint pains in my fingers, knee, neck and lower back pain this year. My right upper arm hurts whenever I lift something or even raise my arm. I feel like a shell of my former self.
Comment by Aida on 4 October 2009:
I was admitted into the hospital on 9/21/09 with severe asthma and bacterial pneumonia and sinusitis. While there I was given levaquin along with other meds. Everything seemed fine until I was discharged 9 days later and had to get a RX filled for 500 mg of levaquin. The 1st night I noticed that my knees were getting tight and my legs were feeling very tired. I thought this was from being in a hospital bed for the past 9 days so I brushed it off. This has since continued for the past 4 days and it has gotten worst! I now can’t sleep at night with severe pains that go from my knees to my ankles and also any joints. Anywhere where one can bend there is pain. My fingers keep getting spasms that distort them and make them look like I have arthritis. I”m only 34 and NEVER had any problems before other than the asthma. Now I feel like I’m 90 years old!
Comment by Pearl on 4 October 2009:
I have been on Levaquin for many years off and on for UTI’s, Sinus infections, bronchitis and so on. The first ruptures that I experiences was both of my shoulders and humerus. The came my achilles tendon, I have been in and out of leg cast’s for the last 3 1/2 years. I can’t carry anything because my arms feel like they are going to break, I keep having episodes of achilles tendonitis and all the doctors kept telling me because I was on Prednisone. 3 weeks ago I took Levaquin again for a UTI and now I am in a cast again.
Comment by WILLIAM on 8 October 2009:
My wife went into the Hospital for a upper respiatory infection and was given Levaquin by her doctor. Within 2 weeks of the medication she has had serve swelling of both leg and pain walking. The doctors are looking for other causes but I believe this drug has affected her system. Her leg are in bad shape and she has now sevre knee pain also.
Comment by Christine on 13 October 2009:
I was hospitalized for treatment for damage to my colon from Radiation Treatment for cancer. While I was in the hospital I was given Levaquin for a bacterial infection. My symptoms include, severe fatique, muscle pain and weakness, tingling in my arms and legs and cramps in my legs and hips. I have been going from doctor to doctor to find some relief, but no luck.
Comment by Shirley on 16 October 2009:
I have a 2000 Chrysler Concorde , back in September the car had begin the run then stop, run then stop rite in the middle of the traffic. i took the car to the shop/mechanic and the problem he stated was the engine. he informed me the engine was NO GOOD! by Sept 9 the car had stop i had it towed to the repair shop and to my surprise i was told the same thing, the engine was no good. this really made me upset and i was horrifyed to think that i a single mother of 3 boys was out of a car and possibly might lose my job the cost of repairs would be more then the cost of the car which was estimated at 8500.
Comment by greg on 21 October 2009:
I was prescribed Levaquin in December 2008. In late Feb 2009 I ruptured my RIGHT achilles. The surgeon stated that the MRI looked like a grenade went off inside my leg. After surgery he said it was much worse than that. The wierd thing is I have always had problems with my LEFT ankle (casts 3 or 4 times). Never a problem with the right ankle. I was basically walking when this occured and it is obvious (at least to me) that this was as a direct result of taking Levaquin two months before the injury.
Comment by Greg on 22 October 2009:
I was completely healthy and on no prescription drugs until I developed prostatis. My doctor perscribed Levaquin to treat it, and after taking this drug for seven days, I felt like I couldn’t breathe automatically any more. It was a struggle to draw air in and out of my lungs, and when this happened I was at work and a coworker had to drive me to the ER. They did a battery of tests and determined I had had a severely allergic reaction to Levaquin. This drug should not be on the market.
Comment by Amanda on 3 November 2009:
It started with a sore throat and the usual sinus infection symptoms. Then I started having other symptoms along with swollen glands. I consulted with my PCP who gave me low dose amoxicillin which I completed with no results. After 3 weeks of missing work for fevers as high as 103F and night sweats so bad I’d have to sleep with a towel over and under me I consulted with my co-workers (I’m an ER Nurse). A doctor prescribed me Levaquin. It worked great and cleared everything up. But slowly I started to feel like my body was aging much faster than it should have. I’d wake up thinking I was going to need a walker just to make it to the bathroom. I then noticed a couple of red bumps that were extremely painful to the touch. Slowly these bumps developed into spreading bruises and then my legs began to swell. All the while I was losing weight from being sick yet my legs continued to swelll. After a few ER visits, and more missed work the next time I would feel better wouldn’t be for a total of 3months. Its been 6months since then and I went for a jog for the first time since. It was one of those times I wished I wouldn’t have asked for a second opinion. What I’m told now is that this may one day come back and haunt me….. and I’m only in my early 20’s . . .
Comment by RL Frederick on 11 November 2009:
I was put on Levaquin for 30 days for a sinus infection and both of my feet swelled up, my tendons are so painful you can not touch them. I stopped taking the medication 3 weeks ago, I wake up in the morning and I can barely walk, I never had any lower back problems and my lower back is always hurting. My legs fill like they do not want to move. This has caused great suffering and a change in my life and I am mad! The Dr that prescribed me the Levequin just told me that “oh yea that is one side effect and it will go away”, the medication should not be on the market. How do I get in on this class action law suit to help get this off the market. I am a 40 year old with the legs and feet of a 70 year old. I have a 3 year old that I can not interact with or play with because of the pain. I feel so cheated.
Comment by Rosa on 20 November 2009:
I was prescribe on November 11/18/2009 with levaquin 750mg for 7 days treatment do to a UTI. I began the treatment on November 19,2009 and stopped taking the medication after the first day dosis. I woke up 11/20/2009 with a metal taste in my tonge, my feets hurt so much I could barely walk, my right knee hurts,still have a headache and my neck hurts when I turn my head to left or right side. At the moment is 10:59pm and I still have all this side effects plus I feel dizzy. Because of all this side effects I make a research in the internet and I found out about this.
I want to know more about this sue and more information about how much harm can this medicine produce with only 1 day treatment.
Comment by angela on 28 November 2009:
I went to my gyn Dr. because of some irregular spotting. He thought I had an infection and prescribed Levaquin 750 for 7 days. On the fifth day I quit the medication due to anxiety ,heart palipatations,stressful breathing episodes. Within a two weeks I had my right knee begin to hurt and swell. I could hardly move it . the next thing i had go wrong was my wrist,fingers,elbows began to burn and hurt. They felt they were aching and the thing that came to mind was I developed arthritis overnight. I will inject here that I have had bursitis in my right shoulder many years prior and it was awful but this was more constant and painful than I ever remembered. Following this came the ankles and knees painful and throbbing. My Dr. told me it was probably arthritis but I feel I would have had a warning at some time prior to these episodes. I ask him about the leaquin and he said it would be extremely rare to have had these problems from it but obviously he has missed the boat! I now feel like a 100 year old woman. I am naturally depressed and even as I type this my fingers and wrist hurt or as I say ache. I have no energy . This is just not me! Where do I go from here? I want to quit hurting and continue on with life. Surely the FDA would never place something so toxic on the market and place us all in harms way!
Comment by Deb on 4 December 2009:
I was on Levaquin for an extended period of time due to an infection from a procedure. During the last weeks of treatment I developed extreme muscle fatigue, maliaise and gloval joint pain, but especially in my shoulders and thumbs/wrists. I notified my physician of my symptoms and concern over the Levaquin and he looked in his PDR and said there was no association with my symptoms to Levaquin. I am a nurse and mentioned that the animal literature on Levvquin did mention cartiledge damage but he felt it was necessary to contnue treatment in light of the fact that there was no indication the Levaquin was causing my symptoms. My symptoms got worse and I requested blood work and CK’s be drawn and everything was negative. Once I stoped the Levaquin my symptoms gradually improved except for the pain in my bilateral thumb joints and my left shoulder. My thumb joints were permanently damaged and will require surgery to repair them. I am interested in receiving information about the class action suit.
Comment by Shells on 27 December 2009:
The Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics are TOXIC to every cell in the body. Please do a search of Fluoroquinolone Toxicity. There is a Research Foundation which has been working HARD (for YEARS) toward advocacy and awareness. From their website, you will be able to click on the Health Forum which offers support. I was victimized by LEVAQUIN and AVELOX, 20 pills total for a sinus infection… I have suffered a myriad of health conditions ever since, the latest being a cyst on my kidney and high glucose. This class of antibiotic is known to cause hypo- or hyperglycemia and diabetes, as well as diagnosis of Lupus, “Fibromyalgia” the BS term that has no known cause LOL WELL NOW WE KNOW!! The drug destroys DNA. Avelox is TOXIC to the LIVER especially. And this TOXIC class of antibiotic (which is a man-made chemical conpound that works like chemo) is also being prescribed to our CHILDREN and PETS!! Make a list and put NO FLUOROQUINOLONES on all your records, incl your kids and PETS!! BAYTRIL is just ONE of the Pet FQ’s, there are others. Good luck trying to SUE the bastards. GOD BLESS AMERICA. +
Comment by Theresa on 30 December 2009:
First off I have just turned 70 but until now I was like a 50 year old,that is until I was given Levaquine,I believe it was early Nov. Went to a walk in clinic,but saw the Doctor that own this Clinic.I had had a sinius infect that seem to hold on and ,So I went down there and this Doctor said There was no sign of in fection,that maybe I had had one,but it was gone,He said well it is like a ball game that has been won..but now the field needed to be cleaned up.So I had never heard of that or of this Drug.. Levaquine..Years ago I had taken loads of Cipro..Anyway he gave me 40mg of Steriods for7 days then4 days of 20mgs of same.I was told on that day that I would have a RX in the pharmary that if everything wasnt completely gone for me to pick it up and taken as he had ordered,So I did.as I had had a sinues infection for so long..Anyway on the 3 day of th Levaquine my knee began to hurt real bad ,but we had stairs in our home,And I Blamed it on that.my the 5th day of what would have been a 7 day course I woke up in the morning with that leg,that had been hurting,and it was so big I could not even bend my toes or my knee,I called the Doctor who had given it to me and they said come in now,so I did and a nurse practiere Misspelled,anyway as soon as she saw me a few second she said I think DR.???? should see this. so he came in and said Oh! we must get a MRI now so they called around and found someone to do one right then if IO would get straight away. So we went there Immiediely. Did not hear a word from them so the next Morning,I called and the person who answered I beieved to be a R.N. anyway she said I had a torn tendon and a tumor..and that I was to see this other dr.who was a surgeon.the to doctors had talked because he said they had .. and this doctor,said there is nothing I can do to help you,So he gave me a big shot of Kencort ( steriod ) So then next day I was worst,and called the 1st doctors office and again got what I thought to be a R.N. who said I had a tumor in both leggs,and also that the Ligument had pulled away from the bone,So I ask here which was worst tendon or LIgument. She told me the Ligument was the worst but this guy would take care of all of that when he did surgeon.Which he never don..Well this is long but this is how they managed to ruin my life as I know it I had moved here from Memphis TN. And I knew lots of phycian there.So saw one there and he gave me 4 weeks of one every week shots of something they said it was from a chicken .. and her iam almost unable to walk ,and hurt all the time,from levaquin.
Comment by Kandi on 29 January 2010:
I have taken Levaquin several times for sinus infections, bronchitis and once for a kidney infection. I have probably taken it 5 or 6 times over the course of five years. I have also taken Cipro many times prior to that after surgeries to prevent infection as well as for sinus infections, throughout the 1990’s. Now, after reading all these posts, my medical history is starting to make sense. I am always in pain and feel much older than my 44years. I have had shoulder pain for a few years. It finally got so bad I went in last Nov (09) and was told I had some tendon issues and possibly bursitis so was prescribed 6 weeks of physical therapy. I got no relief so went back to orthopaedist. THey did an MRI and it shows I have a 50% tear in my rotator cuff and some other issues w/ the bursa and one bone. Anyway, I can’t afford surgery right now, so they gave me an injection of Cortizone and it doesn’t really help. Maybe took the edge off, but not much. I have also been diagnosed w/ borderline type 2 diabetes. I have trouble breathing, expecially if I do any type of real physical activity, which they diagnosed as asthma. Hmmm, really? I think it could be the Levaquin. The bummer is, I am allergic to so many that it is (WAS) one of the only ones I could take. I also have spasms in my hands that cause my fingers to stiffen and freeze in painful positions. I can only get them to release by manually massaging them and forcing them out of the unnatural position. This they say is either tendonitis or carpal tunnel. Again, I believe this could be caused by the Levaquin or Cipro.
Comment by linda on 10 February 2010:
on December of 2009 I was prescribed levaquin for a chronic sinus infection I woke up on new years day and could not move my right arm it was frozen in a bent position I went to numerous doctors who did all kinds of test and shots in my arm I was told I had tendentious in my elbow it took 2 months before I could straighten my arm and I still cant lift any weight I lost my job and now I am having all kinds of issues with other joints and arthritis that I never had be for I was in management now I am working in a call center and I have to wear braces on my arm and take pain medication just to do that job and to top it off I have been told the I have arthritis in my spine I cant even sit up to do that job the med’s don’t help any more I’m out on medical leave my finger joints swell to the point I cant use my hands this is just a nightmare I am so tired of taking pills just to get some relief why should we have to live with this much pain for the rest of our lives all the money in the world can not compensate for all this pain just what are they going to do ?
Comment by Diane on 12 March 2010:
It’s been eight months, two specialists, and many tests to find the cause of my joint pain, muscle pain, low-grade fever, heart palps, and fatigue. No answers other than my symptoms began with tendonitis in hands and feet hours after taking my 6th dose of Levaquin. I, too, am a shadow of my former very healthy and active 43-year-old self. Why is no one listening to the people who have been damaged by this drug? Why aren’t Americans being protected?
Comment by Ayzle on 13 March 2010:
I think the levaquin lawsuits should include more than just tendon ruptures. I developed peripheal neropathy 2 weeks after taking this medicine and with numb legs from the knee down and pain so severe in the upper leg it is unbearable. I’ve lived with a lot of pain in my live and this is a 10. People rupture tendons all the time without taking levaquin so lawyers should include other problems this medicine causes…Good Luck to all …I feel for you….Ayzle