Users of quinolone antibiotics may be unknowingly putting themselves at risk of developing painful peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes nerve damage. Peripheral neuropathy is joining a long list of possible quinolone antibiotic side effects.

Quinolone Antibiotics

Fluoroquinolones (or quinolones) are strong antibiotics that are commonly used across the country to treat a number of bacterial infections. Some of the most commonly used quinolone antibiotics are Avelox, Ciprofloxin (Cipro), and Levaquin. Noroxin and Floxin are also widely used.

Many quinolone antibiotic users are unaware that the drug makers may not be warning against all of the quinolone side effects that have become more recently associated with these drugs, such as peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage. In addition to peripheral neuropathy, quinolone antibiotics have been suggested to cause eye injuries, severe skin conditions, and other serious adverse side effects.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is a nerve condition that affects the peripheral nervous system (the nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body). Nerve damage to this part of the body could have a serious effect on the rest of the body such as muscle movement and sensation.

Peripheral nerve damage can be caused by accidents, tumors, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases as well as by medications such as quinolone antibiotics. When deciding to file a peripheral neuropathy lawsuit, it may important to know if your nerve damage was caused by the drug or by an external factor.

In 2013, the FDA issued a warning that quinolone antibiotics could lead to peripheral neuropathy nerve damage. It was found that the condition often develops within one week of using the medication. It often takes a large number of adverse event reports to make the FDA issue a warning against a particular drug or class of drugs.

Symptoms of peripheral nerve damage may include the following side effects:

• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, which may spread upward into the arms or legs
• Burning pain
• Sharp, jabbing or electric-like pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Skin, hair or nail changes
• Lack of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis
• Heat intolerance
• Bowel, bladder of digestive problems
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

There are peripheral neuropathy treatment options which focus on minimizing the nerve damage and symptoms. Certain medications such as painkillers and anti-seizure medications may alleviate the pain associated with nerve damage. Certain therapies or surgery may also be used.

Quinolone Peripheral Neuropathy Lawsuits

People who have taken quinolone antibiotics and later developed peripheral neuropathy may choose to file a lawsuit against the drug maker for failing to warn about this painful potential side effect. Plaintiffs may win compensation to pay for medical bills, loss in wages, attorney fees, and pain and suffering.