Antibiotics are important drugs, often restoring health and even saving lives. But like all drugs, they can have unwanted and serious side effects, some of which may not become apparent until many thousands of patients have been treated.

Such is the case with an important class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones or quinolone antibiotics. The best known drugs in this class are Cipro (ciprofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Avelox (moxifloxacin). In 2010, Levaquin was the best-selling antibiotic in the United States.

Makers of these drugs face a growing number of quinolone antibiotic lawsuits filed by patients who say these quinolone antibiotics caused them debilitating side effects, including permanent nerve damage and painful tendon injuries.

What Risks Are Associated with Taking Fluoroquinolones?

Fluoroquinolones are part of a family of antibacterial drug agents that are used widely as therapy for respiratory and urinary tract infections. Although popular, these powerful quinolone antibiotics have potentially damaging side effects.

Part of the problem lies with physicians who inappropriately prescribe fluoroquinolones. Instead of being reserved for use against serious, perhaps life-threatening bacterial infections, some physicians frequently prescribe quinolone antibiotics for sinusitis, bronchitis, earaches and other ailments that may resolve on their own or can be treated with less potent drugs or non-drug remedies. Sometimes, doctors even prescribe these drugs to treat illnesses caused by viruses, which are not susceptible to quinolone antibiotics.

The most common side effects of antibiotics have been Achilles tendon ruptures. Although this injury has been linked to all quinolone antibiotics, Levaquin is the most closely associated with this side effect. According to the FDA, fluoroquinolone drugs are associated with an increased risk of tendon injuries. The FDA reports at least 259 cases of tendonitis, 262 cases of tendon rupture, and at least 274 cases of other tendon injuries

While most tendon ruptures involved the Achilles tendon, they can also affect tendons in the shoulder, hand, biceps, and thumbs. The risk of tendon injuries is increased in patients over the age of 60, in heart, kidney, and lung transplant recipients, and in those using concomitant steroid therapy. The FDA finally ordered Levaquin’s manufacturers to include a warning about possible tendon damage in 2008.

In addition to tendon damage, users of this popular class of quinolone antibiotics may face an increased risk of a form of permanent and irreversible nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder occurring in the arms or legs. The FDA has advised that fluoroquinolones, like Avelox, may cause permanent nerve damage shortly after they are taken.

Quinolone Antibiotic Lawsuits

As a result of the dangerous side effects associated with Levaquin, Cipro, and other fluoroquinolones, several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of fluoroquinolone products.

At one time, more than 2,000 Levaquin cases against Johnson & Johnson sat before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Minnesota. Several cases were settled for confidential amounts according to court documents. As of March 2015, about 100 Levaquin cases were pending in the federal MDL.

If you or someone you know has developed peripheral neuropathy or a ruptured tendon after being prescribed a quinolone antibiotic, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries.