Levaquin, Cipro, Avelox, Noroxin and Floxin are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to help treat infections. They may also cause tendon ruptures and tendonitis, according to spokesman.com. The FDA ordered the manufacturers of these drugs, including Merck, Bayer, Oscient, and Ortho-McNeil-Jannsenn, to include information on the labels regarding the potential tendon problems associated with usage.
In general, tendon ruptures and tendonitis occur in roughly one in 100,000 people. Tendons are vital to proper mobility since it is the fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to bone in the human body. The forces applied to a tendon may be more than 5 times your body weight, according to emedicinehealth.com..
A substance known as fluoroquinolones is commonly found in the antibiotics listed above and it increases the risk of tendon ruptures and tendinitis by up to four times, according to the FDA. A petition by Public Citizen’s Health Research Group theorized the ruptures may be occurring because fluoroquinolones are toxic to tendon fibers and potentially restrict blood supply in tendons.
This is a good video illustrating the risks associated with these antibiotics
Achilles tendons were reportedly the most frequently ruptured, according to naturalnews.com. This injury is known to cause sudden, severe pain and increased difficulty with walking. In addition, tendon ruptures in rotator cuffs, shoulders, biceps, hands and thumbs were also reported.
As a personal injury attorney with over two decades of experience representing clients who’ve had their health damaged by prescription medications, I strongly advise you to speak with your physician if you’ve been prescribed any of these drugs and consult with an attorney.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia (VA), near the NE North Carolina (NC) border and handles car,truck,railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. Our lawyers proudly edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard, Norfolk Injuryboard, and Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard as a pro bono public information service. Lawyers licensed in: VA, NC, SC, WV, DC, KY.
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