Those who take the antibiotic levofloxacin may be at risk of developing serious, and even life-threatening complications, including an aortic aneurysm or dissection.

The antibiotic levofloxacin is what is known as a fluoroquinolone drug. Levofloxacin is also sold under the brand name Levaquin. Other fluoroquinolones include Avelox, Cipro, Factive, Noroxin, and Floxin.

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that the use of fluoroquinolones like the antibiotic levofloxacin may be linked with an increased risk of problems like an aortic aneurysm or dissection when compared with those who took amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is not associated with this increased risk.

According to the study, the use of the antibiotic levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones was associated with a 66 percent increased rate of an aortic aneurysm or dissection. The risk period lasted for 60 days after the start of treatment, and are more likely to occur early: 41 percent of these complications occurred within the first ten days of treatment.

An aortic tear is a potentially life-threatening problem that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious complications, Unfortunately, patients may be unaware that the popular antibiotic Levaquin may be one of the aortic tear causes, placing them at serious risk. If you or someone you love has suffered from aortic tearing or other side effects after using Levaquin, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

Side Effects of Fluoroquinolones

Patients taking the antibiotic levofloxacin face an increased risk of an aortic aneurysm. An aortic aneurysm is a serious and painful complication in which the aorta bulges as the artery’s walls weaken. This often causes chest pain and has the added risk of a potential rupture.

Patients also face an increased risk of aortic dissection. An aortic dissection involves the layers of the aorta breaking down, dissecting the inner and middle layers. When the aorta tears, blood can move into the aortic wall, weakening the wall’s layers as it pushes between them, which can cause dangerous or even fatal rupturing or leaking problems. Patients who suffer from an aortic tear may experience restricted blood flow to major organs. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, paralysis, and kidney failure, among other serious complications.

This is potentially more dangerous than an aortic aneurysm and can lead to heart attack, stroke, paralysis, and other major problems. Both of these antibiotic side effects are quite serious and usually require surgery.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a formal advisory in May 2016 ordering for the boxed warnings to be updated. In July 2016, the FDA further noted that the risk of aortic dissection posed by the antibiotic levofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones generally outweighs their benefits.

Antibiotic Levofloxacin Legal Claims

Manufacturers of fluoroquinolone drugs like levofloxacin (Levaquin) have been hit with dozens of lawsuits so far. These lawsuits claim that these drugs caused serious or debilitating injuries and that drug manufacturers failed to give adequate warning about these potentially serious antibiotic side effects to the public and to the medical community.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by the antibiotic levofloxacin, including side effects like an aortic tear or an aneurysm, you may be able to pursue litigation. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by complications arising from the antibiotic levofloxacin, it can help to compensate for the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.