A couple from North Carolina has filed a Levaquin peripheral neuropathy lawsuit against manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

Terence C. and Pamela C. have filed their Levaquin peripheral neuropathy lawsuit in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleging that Terrance sustained personal and economic injuries following the use of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

Terrance began taking Levaquin in 2003 under the advice of his physician and used it as directed.

Levaquin Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuit Allegations

Following his use of Levaquin, Terrance suffered irreversible peripheral neuropathy which included symptoms of pain, burning, tingling, numbness, weakness, alterations of sensations, according to his lawsuit.

Levaquin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. These synthetic drugs are used to treat various infections including long, sinus, skin and urinary tract infections.

Fluoroquinolones have had a long history of being associated with serious side effects, the lawsuit states.

In fact, a number of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been removed from the market following unacceptable risks due to certain adverse events.

Certain adverse effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics that were subsequently taken off the market include low blood sugar, kidney failure, severe liver toxicity, QT interval prolongation (abnormal heart rhythm) and severe blood sugar reactions including hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, Terence’s lawsuit states.

Currently, a number of side effects are associated with the remaining fluoroquinolones on the market and include tendinitis, tendon rupture, central nervous system effects, peripheral neuropathy, myasthenia gravis exacerbation, photo toxicity, hypersensitivity and cardiovascular effects, according to the lawsuit.

Recently, fluoroquinolone antibiotics have also been associated with aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm and more research is being conducted into the drugs causing mitochondrial toxicity.

Levaquin was approved for use in the United States in 1996, and by 2006 it was the number one prescribed antibiotic in the world.

According to the lawsuit, the makers of Levaquin should have known that there was a risk that Levaquin could lead to peripheral neuropathy, but failed to warn Terence and his physician of such risks.

In September 2004 through August 2013, a warning label was placed on Levaquin that incorrectly advised patients and physicians that peripheral neuropathy associated with Levaquin was “rare” and could be avoided by stopping the drug, but this was misleading and deceitful, according to the Levaquin peripheral neuropathy lawsuit.

In fact, the peripheral neuropathy associated with Levaquin is often irreversible and the onset is rapid. Discontinuation of the drug does not ensure that peripheral neuropathy will be avoided, according to the lawsuit.

Terence has brought forth several counts against Janssen and J&J in his Levaquin peripheral neuropathy lawsuit including strict liability, product liability – failure to warn, negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, punitive damages and violation of consumer protection laws/consumer fraud laws.

Terence’s spouse Pamela has also brought forth a count of loss of consortium, claiming that her marital relationship with her husband was impaired and depreciated and permanently altered, causing her great emotional pain and mental anguish.

Terence and Pamela are seeking general and special damages, medical and hospital expenses, pre-and post-judgment interest, refund of the cost of Levaquin, compensatory damages, consequential damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs and any additional relief the court deems proper.

The Levaquin Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuit is Case No. 0:16-CV-02571-JRT, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.