According to recent reports, the widely prescribed quinolone antibiotic marketed under the name Levaquin (Levofloxacin) may cause the allergic skin rash known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS).

Levaquin is prescribed to treat numerous bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections, ear infections and sinus infections, among others. However, physicians warn that the quinolone antibiotic could lead to the dermatological emergency SJS or the progressed form, referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Levaquin carries warnings for various side effects but recently filed fluoroquinolone lawsuits claim that the drug manufacturer did little to caution consumers about the risks of SJS. Many quinolone consumers claim that manufacturers knew of the possibility of developing the potentially life-threatening SJS side effect, but intentionally withheld the information from patients.

Those who have developed Levaquin SJS are seeking financial compensation for the medical costs required to treat the skin condition, as well as for the pain and suffering they have endured.

Quinolone Complications

Medical studies have shown a link between quinolone antibiotics and multiple serious medical conditions, including: eye disorders (detached retina, uveitis, pigment dispersion syndrome), liver failure, and Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN).

Quinolone antibiotics are marketed under the following names:

• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• Trovafloxacin (Trovan)
• Lomefloxacin (Maxaquin)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Moxifloxacin (Avelox)
• Gemifloxacin (Factive)
• Sparfloxacin (Zagam)
• Ofloxacin (Floxin)
• Norfloxacin (Chibroxin Ophthalmic)

Experts warn that despite being some of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics available in the U.S., quinolones carry serious side effects that many consumers are unaware of.

Levaquin SJS

Hundreds of Americans are diagnosed with Stevens Johnson Syndrome each year. The skin condition almost always requires hospitalization, as patients are treated in a similar way to burn victims. Physicians must determine what medication is causing the allergic reaction and if Levaquin is found to be the source, doctors will urge patients to permanently avoid that drug.

Early SJS symptoms can easily be mistaken for the flu, since patients report body aches and chills. However, a rapidly spreading red or purple rash will begin to appear on the skin and mucous membranes. The SJS skin rash can then develop into blisters that eventually result in the top layer of skin dying and shedding.

Levaquin SJS is an allergic reaction to the medication that can cover up to 30 percent of the body. Once the rash has spread beyond that, it is then referred to as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), which is even more serious. Stevens Johnson Syndrome carries a 15 percent mortality rate, while TEN is fatal 40 percent of the time.

An estimated 300 new cases of SJS are reported each year.

Levaquin SJS Lawsuits

Thousands of quinolone lawsuits have been filed by patients who claim they took the antibiotic and later developed SJS, TEN, or one of the other severe quinolone complications. Plaintiffs allege that drug manufacturers were negligent in their warnings about the risk of severe side effects linked to quinolone medications.

Recent SJS lawsuits have awarded plaintiffs thousands and occasionally millions of dollars in damages.