Antibiotics, especially fluoroquinolone antibiotics, may be over-prescribed to U.S. patients who are generally not fully informed about the possible quinolone side effects, including quinolone peripheral neuropathy.

While quinolone antibiotics are great for providing broad coverage and do in fact save many lives, some quinolone drugs like levofloxacin have been reported to cause peripheral neuropathy (also known as neuralgia) in some patients.

There have also been consumer reports of a rare, but painful risk of Achilles tendon rupture occurring while taking levofloxacin.

Quinolone (or fluoroquinolone) drugs are sold under various brand names. Drugs included in the quinolone drug family allegedly known to cause the development of peripheral neuropathy (or nerve damage) include:

• levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• norfloxacin (Noroxin)
• ofloxacin (Floxin)
• gemifloxacin (Factive)

Since 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required fluoroquinolone drug manufacturers to include a warning regarding the risk of quinolone peripheral neuropathy and that the resulting nerve damage can in some instances be permanent, even after a consumer ceases taking the quinolone drug.

However, since then the FDA, as well as physicians and consumers, have wanted a stronger quinolone peripheral neuropathy warning. While this condition is rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of fluoroquinolone drug users, the nerve damage done by the quinolone medication can be extremely disorienting and sometimes irreversible.

Quinolone Peripheral Neuropathy

New research and drug reports have suggested that patients given quinolone antibiotic drugs have an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, especially when compared to patients on other types of antibiotics.

In general, quinolone peripheral neuropathy begins rapidly, as many patients start presenting symptoms just a few days after beginning a course of the antibiotics. The extent of quinolone nerve damage will vary from case to case.

According to various quinolone lawsuits, some patients have reported experiencing nerve damage symptoms for a few months after stopping their antibiotic treatment, while other patients allege they have developed a severe, permanent, and irreversible form of nerve damage.

Quinolone Peripheral Neuropathy Side Effects and Signs

There are various signs and side effects of quinolone peripheral neuropathy that a patient may exhibit. Should a consumer experience any of the quinolone side effects listed below, they should cease taking the fluoroquinolone medication immediately in order to reduce the risk of permanent nerve damage.

Some signs of quinolone peripheral neuropathy side effects include:

• Tingling or numbness in the extremities, starting in the hands and feet and spreading to the arms and legs
• Burning pain
• Sharp, jabbing pain or electric-like pain
• Extreme touch sensitivity
• Skin, hair or nail changes
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Heat intolerance
• Bowel, bladder of digestive problems
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Many individuals and families of individuals who allege they suffered from severe nerve damage after taking a quinolone drug have filed quinolone peripheral neuropathy lawsuits or joined quinolone peripheral neuropathy class action lawsuits.