Posted on August 29, 2011 by Joanna F. Sandolo

The Dangers Of Levaquin

For years, Levaquin has been among the most highly-prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotics, used by patients to treat severe bacterial infections and those that fail to respond to other antibiotics.   While the drug is effective in treating ailments such as respiratory tract infections and meningitis, it is also associated with severe adverse reactions, including tendon ruptures.

Indeed, as of this year, the FDA requires that Levaquin packing include a “black box warning” disclosing the serious risk of tendon ruptures resulting from use of the product, especially in those over the age of 60.  A “black box warning” is the strongest warning that the FDA requires. The FDA moved to require this warning after being petitioned by public interest groups asking the FDA to require the manufacturers of Levaquin to clearly disclose its risks.

Numerous lawsuits have since been filed against the manufacturers of Levaquin, alleging that for years they failed to adequately disclose the risk of tendon rupture, particularly in the elderly.

If you, or someone you know, have suffered a tendon rupture after use of Levaquin, please contact us to discuss your legal rights.   

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Posted on December 24, 2009 by Jerome Noll

Drugs Used In Preparation For A Colonoscopy Alleged To Cause Kidney Damage

A lawsuit has been filed against pharmaceutical company Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Salix”) alleging that its OsmoPrep medication, used to cleanse the intestines in preparation for a colonoscopy, causes kidney damage.  The lawsuit filed on behalf of four individuals alleges that the plaintiffs sustained a variety of serious kidney injuries, including acute phosphate nephropathy, and that some of the injuries resulted in the need for dialysis.

In December, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) placed a “black box” warning – the most severe warning possible – on OsmoPrep and on another Salix bowel cleanser, Visicol.  The FDA stated that OsmoPrep and Visicol carry the risk of kidney damage and directed Salix to develop a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS), distribute a Medication Guide to alert patients to the risk of acute kidney injury associated with the use of these products, and to conduct a post-marketing clinical trial to further assess the risk of acute kidney injury.  The lawsuit alleges, however, that Salix was aware of the two drugs’ dangers before the FDA ordered the “black box” warning.

If you or someone you know were given OsmoPrep and/or Visicol and have suffered kidney damage, please contact us to discuss your legal options.

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