In November 2015, two studies published in professional medical journals revealed a connection between the use of Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones and the potential development of an aortic tear or aneurysm.

Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones are broad spectrum drug treatments that are prescribed to treat a plethora of bacterial infections.

These infections range from upper respiratory ailments such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia to gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Because of this wide target of effectiveness, Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones such as Cipro, Avelox, Noroxin, Floxin, and Factive are commonly used by physicians.

The developers and promoters of Levaquin antibiotic and above named fluoroquinolones have been hit with numerous lawsuits across the nation after the publication of these studies.

Complainants are accusing these companies of not issuing proper warnings to consumers about the potential for dangerous adverse medical events and side effects with use of their products.

The allegations amount to purported suppression of information. According to federal law, pharmaceutical manufacturers must pass on to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) any report of injury or death shared with them by a patient or their next of kin.

In the light of the dual studies information, it seems unlikely that there were never any injury or death reports related to Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones to give to the drug oversight agency.

Dual Studies Point to Serious Circulatory Threats

The aorta is the main artery which delivers oxygenated blood from the activities of the heart and lungs to the rest of the body. It comes out of the heart muscle and runs down the midline of the body, then branches into two smaller arteries in the lower abdomen that deliver blood to the lower extremities.

Both because of the nature of the circulatory system and because of the volume of blood it must carry, the aorta is comprised of several layers. A dissection—one of the threats linked to the use of Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones—is a tear in the innermost layer of the artery.

This tear can turn deadly very fast because blood will seep in between the layers and weaken the outermost wall leading to rupture.

Even without the development of a rupture, aortic dissection can reduce available blood that is needed by organ systems to function optimally or well. The stress can lead to a shutdown of these systems as evidenced in critical medical events such as cardiac arrest, stroke, and kidney failure.

The dual studies also pointed to an additional threat of aortic aneurysm linked to the use of Levaquin antibiotic and other fluoroquinolones. An aneurysm is a bulging of the artery which thins out the multilayered wall as well. This thinning carries with it the similar danger of sudden breakage leading to rapid internal bleeding and almost certain death.

If you or a loved one experienced injury from either of these conditions while on or within two months of taking fluoroquinolones, you may have a legal claim. Statistical data shows a 48% – 143% increase in risk within this time frame. Fill out our form for more information.