Levaquin aortic dissection and aneurysm are serious concerns in the patient population and medical community, with new research suggesting fluoroquinolones carry higher risks of inducing damage to the aorta.

Because the aorta the body’s main artery that carries blood from the heart, Levaquin aortic dissection and aneurysm can potentially induce fatal cardiac problems. Levaquin aortic dissection is described as when a tear occurs in the aorta, while aortic aneurysm occurs when a bulge or blemish forms in the aorta cavity.

Aortic dissection can be especially fatal. Blood flow can become dangerously restricted and can cause stroke, paralysis, kidney failure and heart attack. With over 20 million fluoroquinolone prescriptions written a year, Levaquin aortic dissection and aneurysm should be taken very seriously.

Two recent studies to observe this correlation were published in 2015 and indicated a correlation between fluoroquinolone antibiotics and collagen damage. Scientists noted that fluoroquinolones have been associated with tendon ruptures for years, with researchers speculating the drugs are weakening aortic tissue and causing tears in the same manner.

The studies were published in JAMA Internal Medicine and BMJ Open in November 2015 and found that fluoroquinolone patients face an increased risk of aortic dissection and aneurysm by 124% and 143%. In addition, patients who were prescribed fluoroquinolones in 60 days or more before an aortic event faced a 48% increased risk.

Overview of Levaquin Aortic Dissection and Aneurysm

Fluoroquinolones belong to a group of antibiotics that have been available for patients since the 1980s. They work by stopping bacterial growth in infections. When these medications were first released, they were primarily used to treat urinary tract infections and have since been approved to treat a number of other bacterial infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Levaquin is the second most popular fluoroquinolone, accounting for over 28% of all floroquinolone prescriptions. This medication is a third generation fluoroquinolone and was approved by the FDA in 1996, becoming the best selling antibiotic in 2010.

Even though Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones have helped millions of patients, the FDA has cautioned healthcare professionals against overprescribing these medications. The FDA released an official warning for this in 2013 stating that overprescribing these drugs could cause a rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria.

The agency further stated that the antibiotics should not be prescribed to treat viral infections, and that overprescirbing could also affect the drug’s performance in the body.

The FDA released an updated warning in 2016, with the agency stating that fluoroquinolones should not be prescribed to treat minor bacterial infections like uncomplicated urinary tract infections to help curve the overprescription problem. Even with these warnings, researchers are stilling finding that these medications are overprescribed.

With this in mind, Levaquin aortic dissection and aneurysm is another factor that doctors should consider before prescribing the drug. Even though Levaquin aortic dissection and aneurysm can be potentially fatal to patients, the potential side effect is not currently listed on the drug’s warning label.

Patients who suffered Levaquin aortic dissection or aneurysm may be able to file legal action against the manufacturer to seek potential compensation.