Some researchers believe that taking a popular antibiotic may lead to aneurysms in the largest artery of the body. Research suggests that Levaquin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, may cause the development of an aortic aneurysm in the abdominal area, known as an abdominal aneurysm, in those who use it.

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are used in patients for whom other antibiotics do not work, and they are considered “high powered” antibiotics. Besides Levaquin, fluoroquinolone antibiotics include such medications as Cipro, Avelox, Penetrexa and Noroxin.

Even though a fluoroquinolone antibiotic like Levaquin is quite effective at treating infections, it may come with risks that outweigh the benefits. A fluoroquinolone antibiotic should be prescribed for patients who have bacterial infections such as pneumonia, or bacterial infections of the sinus, skin, prostate or bladder. But patients need to be warned of side effects, like risks of abdominal aneurysm.

Abdominal Aneurysm Among Levaquin Risks

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued safety communications outlining the risks of taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics like Levaquin and urge health care providers to only prescribe Levaquin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics in cases where there is no other treatment options.

They report that “serious risks associated with fluoroquinolones are described in the labels, such as cardiac, dermatologic, and hypersensitivity reactions.”

Levaquin and other fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been connected with serious circulatory conditions including aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and abdominal aneurysm.

An aneurysm is a bulging of an artery. This is often caused by a weakening of the artery wall. Fluoroquinolone antibiotic users are at risk for aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and abdominal aneurysm.

The Mayo Clinic describes an aortic abdominal aneurysm as “an enlarged area in the lower part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that supplies blood to the body.”

The aorta provides most of the body with blood, so a disruption to the aorta like an aortic abdominal aneurysm can be life threatening. Surgery may be needed in order to repair an aortic abdominal aneurysm. Symptoms of an aortic abdominal aneurysm may include a pulsating feeling near the navel, back pain or deep and constant pain in the abdomen.

If the aortic abdominal aneurysm bursts, it is called an aortic dissection. Aortic dissections are particularly dangerous because the aorta itself tears and may lead to severe internal bleeding, organ damage, stroke and aortic valve damage.

In two different studies, both published in 2015, a link between the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and aortic weakening problems including aortic dissection, aortic abdominal aneurysm and aortic aneurysm was seen.

The use of antibiotics like this may contribute to the breakdown of the tissue in the aorta, weakening the wall of the artery. In the past, the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been connected with ruptured tendons because of the tendency of fluoroquinolones to aid in the breakdown of collagen. Researchers began to look at the aorta in the same manner and found an association between the breakdown of aortic tissue and fluoroquinolone antibiotic use.

In fact, this research has shown that fluoroquinolone antibiotic users have a two to three times higher risk for developing these types of cardiac conditions.

If you or someone you love has suffered from aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection or abdominal aneurysm while taking Levaquin, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney. Speaking with an attorney cannot take away the pain and suffering of a cardiac condition, but legal compensation can help alleviate medical costs and lost wages.