Fluoroquinolones or quinolones are some of the most widely prescribed antibiotics in the United States, with the most commonly requested medications being the antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin).

In August 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) forced makers of these antibiotics to change the warning labels, removing prior indications that the antibiotic peripheral neuropathy problems were rare and additionally informed drug consumers and the medical community that the symptoms may continue for months or years after the antibiotic is no longer used. This was the first indication that side effects of the antibiotics may cause long-lasting peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage.

After the FDA issued its warning last year, a number of Gulf War veterans came forward, suggesting that quinolone drugs, Cipro specifically, could be related to Gulf War Syndrome, which is often characterized by nerve damage and peripheral neuropathy that can be long-lasting or even permanent. The soldiers claim they were given Cipro during the first Gulf War without being warned of the possible risks.

Gulf War Syndrome and Peripheral Neuropathy

Gulf War Syndrome is a mysterious chronic illness that has affected up to 250,000 soldiers who were involved in the Gulf War during the early 1990s. It is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that include body pain that is often diagnosed as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Interestingly, these symptoms often mirror the same nerve damage symptoms as the side effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. These antibiotics, such as Cipro, were extraordinarily prevalent, and  numerous soldiers were dosed with the quinolone antibiotic during the Gulf War in order to ward off the possibility of infection by Anthrax.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy (PN)?

Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) occurs when nerves between the brain and body are damaged, causing a condition called paresthesia in the arms and legs. There are over 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy, depending on which nerves are involved. Many people suffer from general numbness, muscle weakness, and problems with coordination, which can cause problems with walking, fastening buttons, or balancing. Some types of peripheral neuropathy can cause severe, chronic pain that is extremely difficult to treat. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Pain
• Burning
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Change in sensation to light touch, pain, or temperature
• Change in sense of body position
• Loss of reflexes
• Paresthesia
• Muscle wasting
• Paralysis

Cipro Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuits

Peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage can be chronic with symptoms lasting for months, years, or, as the updated Cipro warning label notes, permanently. A cursory glance at the warning label for Cipro indicates the effects include musculoskeletal problems and central nervous system issues.

The manufacturers allegedly knew or should have reasonably known about the link between their antibiotics and peripheral neuropathy for decades, with the first independently published reports dating back to 1992. A string of studies over the last 20 years have warned that peripheral neuropathy side effects were a common problem with this class of drugs.

Many individuals are pursuing Cipro lawsuits, quinolone peripheral neuropathy lawsuits or joining peripheral neuropathy class action lawsuits to seek compensation from drug manufacturers.