Fluoroquinolones are among some of the most popular antibiotics in the United States, yet they have been repeatedly associated with severe antibiotic side effects.

New research indicates fluoroquinolone antibiotic medications including Avelox, Levaquin, and Cipro may increase the chances of aortic aneurysms, a life threatening bulge in the aorta, by two or three times.

As the body’s main artery responsible for filtering blood out of the heart, a bulge in the wall causing a potential rupture could mean fatal consequences for patients.

Patients prescribed antibiotics are  aware of of the possibility of antibiotic side effects, but may not know that some complications could prove deadly.

Recent studies from Taiwan have indicated that aortic aneurysm, aortic ruptures, and aortic dissection injury reports are on the rise in conjunction with Avelox, Cipro, Levaquin, and other fluoroquinolone use.

According to the National Taiwan University Hospital study, patients who were prescribed fluoroquinolones had a significantly higher chance of suffering from aortic aneurysm.

The patients had been prescribed the antibiotic medications for 60 days, and subsequently faced double the chances of suffering severe antibiotic side effects.

Researchers went on further to say the risk of aortic aneurysm is highest in patients who have recently used fluoroquinolones.

Other recent studies published in within the last year also indicate that fluoroquinolone antibiotic side effects can include collagen damage that could potentially result in the deterioration of aortic tissue leading to aortic aneurysm.

It is important to note that other severe fluoroquinolone antibiotic side effects reported included tendon ruptures, leading researchers to question if the aortic walls were weakened by the same mechanism.

These 2015 studies were published in the JAMA Internal Medicine and BMJ Open in November, finding that fluoroquinolones increased the chances of aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm by 124% and 143% respectively.

The study from Taiwan indicates that patients who have used fluoroquinolones within 60 days face a 48% increased risk of aortic aneurysm or dissection.

This new research has spurred major concern in the FDA and the medical community, leading researchers to further inquire into the severe antibiotic side effects.

Overview of Fluoroquinolone Side Effects

As one of the most popular antibiotic medications in the United States, over 20 million patients are prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotics each year to treat different bacterial infections.

Avelox, Cipro, Levaquin, and other fluoroquiniolones are especially popular for treating urinary tract infections, quickly relieving patients of irritating symptoms.

However the concern of aortic aneurysm has left many doctors increasingly wary of prescribing fluoroquinolones, advising patients to be wary of any unusual side effects.

Despite the severity of these antibiotic side effects, this complication is not listed on fluoroquinolone warning label.

This lack of warning has led to many patients to complain that the manufacturing companies failed to protect them against the antibiotic side effects, and that they were been injured in result.

Patients who were affected by fluoroquinolone aortic aneurysm may be eligible to file legal action against these companies, and should contact a specialized lawyer to determine if they have a claim.