A class action investigation has been launched after recent studies had indicated that patients could develop serious antibiotic side effects soon after starting their Levaquin prescription.

Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones have been linked to serious antibiotic side effects including aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm, which has caused many patients to suffer serious complications.

According to the recent research, current and past fluoroquinolone patients may be at risk for these serious antibiotic side effects. More specifically, patients prescribed Levaquin could be two to three times more likely to suffer aortic dissection or an aortic aneurysm, which could lead to more serious cardiac complications.

An aortic aneurysm is characterized as a bulge in the aorta, which stems from the top of the heart to the abdomen in the front of the backbone. An aortic aneurysm typically forms in the abdomen but can form in any part of the aorta.

Aortic dissection is characterized as a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, which is the body’s main blood vessel and is a major part of the circulation system. This condition occurs when the aortic tear allows blood to enter the aortic wall, which causes the inner and middle layers to separate.

This condition is life-threatening. By restricting blood circulation to the blood flow to internal organs it can cause a number of serious health risks including heart attack, stroke, paralysis, kidney failure, and other problems.

At this point, it is not known why Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones are allegedly causing aortic dissection or an aortic aneurysm. However, researchers have noted that fluoroquinolones have been linked to tendon ruptures for the last several years. According to research, these drugs may weaken tendons in a similar manner the drugs may be impacting the aorta.

Overview of Levaquin Antibiotic Side Effects

There were two studies that were recently published in 2015, which showed that aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm could be potential Levaquin antibiotic side effects.

The studies had been published in the JAMA Internal Medicine and BMJ Open medical journals, which found that Levaquin and fluoroquinolones could increase the risk of aortic dissection or an aortic aneurysm by 124 percent and 143 percent. The study also showed that previous fluoroquinolone patients also faced an increased risk, by 48 percent increased risk.

Fluoroquinolones are popular antibiotics that are prescribed to millions of patients to treat their bacterial infections but have been linked to a number of antibiotic side effects that can are often associated with this medication group including:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Abdominal Pain
• Diminished Appetite
• Skin Irritation
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Tight Throat
• Breathing Trouble
• Blurred Vision

Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones are widely prescribed to treat a number of serious bacterial infections like ear infections, bronchitis, and urinary tract infections.

As antibiotics, Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones cannot be used to treat viral diseases and should not be prescribed unless needed. If antibiotics are overprescribed, it could cause the formation of drug-resistant bacteria.

Even though these antibiotic side effects can be potentially deadly to patients, some patients claim fluoroquinolone manufacturers allegedly failed to warn patients against potential aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm. Levaquin patients who suffered these complications could file legal action against the manufacturers, to seek potential damages for medical damages.