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Antibiotic Aortic Aneurysm Lawsuits

Austin Kirk

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Users of the popular class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones may face an increased risk of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection, which could cause a rupture and life-threatening internal bleeding. They also face permanent and irreversible nerve damage, known as peripheral neuropathy.

ANTIBIOTIC LAWSUIT STATUS: Levaquin lawsuits, Cipro lawsuits, Avelox lawsuits and other claims involving other fluoroquinolone antibiotics were filed nationwide on behalf of former users diagnosed with aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and peripheral neuropathy.

OVERVIEW: Fluorquinolones are the most widely used class of antibiotics in the United States, with more than 23 million patients per year receiving prescriptions for the medications in pill form and another three million receiving injections.

Although the antibiotics are promoted as safe and effective, a number side effects have been linked to these drugs, which has led the FDA to recommend they not be used for uncomplicated infections.

In May 2013, the FDA issued a drug safety communication saying that these antibiotics’ risks outweigh their benefits in many cases.

The agency indicated that Levaquin, Avelox, Cipro and similar drugs will now carry warnings on the label and Medication guides indicating that they should not be prescribed to treat sinusitis, bronchitis or uncomplicated urinary tract infections, unless there are no alternative treatments available.

Antibiotic Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissections: A recent scientific study found that users of antibiotics like Levaquin, Avelox and Cipro face double the risk of conditions known as aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection. In both cases, the tissues inside the aorta, a major artery, is weakened and could result in a potentially deadly rupture.

In December 2018, the FDA issued a drug safety alert, acknowledging the risk of aortic dissections linked to the use of the antibiotics.

An aortic aneurysm occurs when the outer wall of the aorta bulges due to weakness and the pressure inside. In many cases they are small and do not require treatment. However, in some cases the bulge becomes large enough to rupture, resulting in massive internal bleeding.

Aortic dissections are similar, but occur within the layers of tissue inside the aorta. These have a much higher risk of rupturing, and can also become aortic aneurysms.

Symptoms of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection include:

  • Severe chest pain
  • Severe upper back pain
  • Coughing and trouble talking
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Irregular pulse in one arm

Emergency medical treatment is required immediately if an aortic rupture occurs, and those who undergo treatment for these problems must often take medications and live on a restrictive diet for the rest of their lives.

ANTIBIOTIC NERVE DAMAGE SIDE EFFECTS: Scientific evidence has established a link between fluoroquinolone antibiotics and peripheral neuropathy for decades, with the first published case reports coming as early as 1992.

 

Although peripheral neuropathy warnings were added to many of the medications in September 2004, it appears that this information was false and misleading. The warnings suggested that the peripheral neuropathy problems were “rare” and failed to disclose that users may be left with permanent nerve damage.

These problems may have been avoided if stronger warnings were provided, informing consumers to seek medical attention and switch to a different antibiotic upon the onset of symptoms.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy from antibiotics like Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox and others may include:

  • Pain or Weakness
  • Burning, Tingling or Numbness
  • Sensitivity to Light Touches, Temperature or Motion in the Arms and Legs

In August 2013, the FDA announced that new and stronger warnings would be added to Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Tags: Antibiotics, Avelox, Cipro, Fluoroquinolone, Levaquin, Nerve Damage

63 Comments

Janet
I was given over 1000 cipro and 60 levaquin in my life.. My body blew apart and now I have morgellans.. Does anyone have severe stinging in every part of their entire body.. it is everywhere.
Laura
I took Flagyl (Metronidazole) 500 MG every 12 hours and had extreme side effects. They include numbness in my forearms and hands, flashes of heat and sometimes cramping of my hands. This also has effected my feet. Other side effects occurred and I did not continue the medication. The medication was prescribed in March 2015. I still have the effects. Please respond with any information.
A.D.Sharpe
I took levaquin some years ago for protocol period although I asked the MD for doxysyclin (bronchitis -acute). He refused and I spent 4 days in hospital. I took levaquin and cipro a couple years later to h.pylori treatment from Gastronenterologist. I had neuropathy following but an especially acutely inflamed tendon in right thumb which took months to heal. Reported to physician. I only recently discovered that neuropathy is a consequence. I was not diagnosed with Diabetes II until later, and neuropathy preceded the diagnosis. Flouride passes through the blood brain barrier, and is deadly. We don not drink flouridated water.
Terri
I took just two doses of the generic brand of ciprofloxacin. First dose felt light headed and had a slight blurring of my vision. Second dose on 2-14-2015. My face went numb and then slowly the rest of me. A few minutes later I started swelling and then pain from head to toe. It’s May 6th now still have the same symptoms. I have contacted several lawyers. They say they can not help me. My doctor is sending me to a neurologists, which I do not have the money for. Seems like nobody cares not even the doctors.
lorinda
I have been on all 3 of them and since then, i’m suffering severely with my arm and pains, tingling and numbness and i told the dr that, and they said its coming from the herniated disc in my neck, but my neck had been like this for years and ive never had this problem up until a few months ago when i started on these meds for bronchitis, so now im wondering
Ann
I took Cipro in 2007 for kidney stones. Within 1 day of taking this drug, I had a very irregular heartbeat every few minutes. Sometimes, if I was not holding onto something to catch myself, I would have passed out from the irregular heartbeats. I could feel it in my throat. I did call my doctor after 1 day to tell him what was happening. He told me to stop the Cipro. I did, and I felt so bad soon after that I had my neighbor take me to the ER. They ran tests, and referred me to my Cardiologist for evaluation. My cardiologist told me I was having tachycardia, and that they needed to do an Ablation on my heart in the area of the misfiring to correct it. I had this done which corrected the problem. I make sure that it is stated on all my medical records that I cannot take CIPRO.
Kevin
Prescribed several rounds of Cipro for treatment of prostatitis between 2000 and 2006. Developed pain and weakness in both Achilles tendons, was advised to quit stressful physical activities, like basketball and softball, for fear of rupturing either or both Achilles tendons. Experienced a couple of bouts of sharp, inflammation like pain in both feet and ankles that resolved itself and then, reoccurred on two different occasions between 2003 and 2006. The final bout of this ended with both feet being extremely numb and with burning nerve pain in late 2006 that is with me to this day. I never put this together until I started reading about the links between FQ antibiotics and peripheral neuropathy. If I had known about this, I would have insisted that my doctor prescribe something else. My neurologist says that I have persistent small fiber peripheral neuropathy in both feet that is not reversible. They call it “idiopathic” of unknown origin, but, it’s clear, with the bouts of tendon weakness, and foot and ankle inflammation, known side effects of FQ antibiotics, that Cipro is the cause of my foot neuropathy. I am not diabetic and in reasonably good health otherwise but, sometimes struggle with depression over the fact that my feet will feel like this for the rest of my life.
Margaret
I have been taking generic cipro 750 mg for the past 10 days. I called the prescribing Dr and was told to quit taking it. My legs and feet are tingling, my feet and ankles hut so bad I can barely walk. Last night my heart was racing. My shoulders are popping and weak. I had a herniated disk in my back that is now so painful I can’t sit. My arms and elbows are also effected. The medication was prescribed for a bone infection caused by the pin that was left in and was protruding from the end of my finger. Do NOT take this drug. I am dizzy and sick.
pat
I tookva 1000 mg a day for about 5 days should have been for 10 but made me feel bad.But some things stated happing when I sit or lay down until I move or get up I have like a numbness follow ed by a take I can’t explain it dose not last long but it is painful and some times when I go to walk my legs feel like they wiegh 50lbs a piece this just started with the ciprofloxacin .
Barry
Had me on up to 2000 mg for 3 months. Three years later neuropathy keeps me wondering why they keep using these medications and why wasn’t I warned.
Patsy
I didnt see Candice comment but I lost my husband to Avelox which is in the same family as this medication. My husband was being treated for a sinus infection with amoxicillin and was improving but the Dr. after ten days decided to change to a different medication Avelox. He took only one pill and the next day he was dead. His throat swelled but nobody but I tried to do CPR on him thats a problem that Im still working on. The message Im trying to get across is this medication is deadly on should be taken off the market. My husband suffered horribly and nobody else should have to go like he did. I have a lot of information on the other two medications as well. Please look into this Im very serious about making the public aware of this deadly medication. It may have helped a hand full of patients but think of the ones that had their lives changed for the rest in pain.
Traci
What they fail to mention is the generic brand causes same problems and people that took the generic version cannot fight back with lawsuit as law prevents us from taking action against manufacturer. Doesn’t make any sense considering most insurance companies push/demand us to take generic if available.
candice
Interesting and informative.
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