A class action investigation has recently been launched for patients who allegedly suffered unexpected side effects from Levaquin uses. As a member of the popular fluorquinolone antibiotic family, there are a number of different Levaquin uses that can treat a variety of ailments.

Levaquin uses primarily pertain to treating ear infections, upper respiratory infections and urinary tract infections, and are not meant to treat viral illnesses. This wide range Levaquin use, however, may lead to cases of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, which can be potentially dangerous cardiac episodes.

Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones first entered the marketed in the 1980s, with doctors primarily prescribing them to treat urinary tract infections. Fluoroquinolones, which work by stopping the growth of bacteria, are now approved to treat other infections, including anthrax and bacterial pneumonia.

While fluoroquinolones have helped millions of patients, the medical community is cautious of overprescribing these medications to prevent the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria. However, current well-known Levaquin uses may pose serious health risks to patients, especially those who have previously existing aortic conditions.

Overview of Fluoroquinolone Complications

Recent research has suggested that fluoroquinolones are two to three times more likely to cause cardiac problems like aorta damage, compared to other medications. The aorta is the body’s main artery responsible for filtering blood out of the heart, making aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection very concerning complications.

Aortic aneurysm is an unusual bulge that occurs in the aorta, and can quickly compound into a serious cardiac condition. Aortic dissection is a more immediate condition, in which the inner layer of the aorta tears. When blood flows through the tear, the inner and middle aorta layers separate or dissect, which can be potentially fatal.

These life-threatening complications have been linked to fluoroquinolones in several recent studies published in 2015, where researchers found an increased risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection.

These inquiries, both published in November 2015 in JAMA Internal Medicine and the BMJ Open medical journals, found fluoroquinolone patients faced a 134 to 143 percent increased risk of aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm. In addition, the studies found that patients who used fluoroquinolones in the past had a 48 percent increased risk of these complications.

While it is not known how fluoroquinolones like Levaquin may be casing aortic aneurysm or dissection, it has been noted that these medications have been linked to tendon ruptures. According to researchers, the fluoroquinolone treatment mechanism could be weakening the aorta wall in a similar way to the tendons.

Even though aortic aneurysm and dissection can be potentially fatal to patients, Levaquin and other fluoroquinolones reportedly fail to mention this risk on their warning labels. This has spurred the class action investigation, to determine if fluoroquinolone manufacturers are liable for any of these aortic aneurysm or dissection cases.

It is important to note that FDA requires pharmaceutical companies to notify them of any new side effects that have been reported by patients within 15 days of receiving the reports. Considering the number of Levaquin uses for bacterial infections, it is likely the class action investigation will be looking over numerous claims.