Side effects of Levaquin have been linked to life-threatening damage to the aorta, the body’s blood vessel that pumps blood out of the heart. Studies report that because of side effects of Levaquin, damage to the aorta may be 2 to 3 times more likely to occur.

Each year, there are more than 20 million Levaquin prescriptions written to help treat bacterial infections. However, despite the number of complaints and adverse side effects being linked to Levaquin, there are still no changes to the drug’s labels.

Serious side effects of Levaquin may include some or all the following:

• Aortic dissection
• Aortic aneurysm
• Tendinopathy
• Tendon ruptures
• Retinal detachment

Overview: Side Effects of Levaquin

Levaquin belongs to a class of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones, and generically referred to as levofloxacin. It is prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as infections of the sinuses, lungs, stomach or skin. Fluoroquinolones, such as Levaquin, inhibit bacterial growth, and they are frequently prescribed to treat urinary tract infections and respiratory infections.

For example, bacterial infections that may be treated through fluoroquinolones prescriptions includes sinusitis, septicemia, intra-abdominal infections, pneumonia, typhoid fever, urethral and gynecological infections, and bacterial gastroenteritis. Other drugs also part of the fluoroquinolones class includes Avelox, Cipro, Floxin, Noroxin, and Factive.

Currently, some side effects of Levaquin have also included the following:

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal discomfort
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Skin itching
• Vaginal discomfort
• Nervousness
• Blurred vision

Aortic Dissection and Aortic Aneurysm

There are many side effects of Levaquin that many people may not know about. Several studies have linked fluoroquinolones to collagen damage and the breakdown of aortic tissue, causing aortic tears, including two recently published in 2015.

Aortic tears may be known as an aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm. An aortic dissection is known to be a tear in the aorta, and an aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta. Tendon ruptures, however, have also been frequently associated with fluoroquinolones.

These studies were published based off researchers’ inquiries into whether this may lead to other collagen associated disorders. The way these drugs, however, weaken tendons in the body is similar in how they weaken the aortic walls.

Both studies were published in the BMJ Open and JAMA Internal Medicine in November 2015. What the researchers discovered was that there is a 124% to 143% increase in suffering an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm following fluoroquinolone use, like Levaquin.

Users who have taken fluoroquinolone in the past (within the last 60 days) had a significantly increased risk (48%) of developing an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm.

An aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the inner layer portion of the aorta. When this occurs, blood can enter the aortic wall and “dissect” the middle and inner portions. As a result, this weakens the aorta’s outer wall and may allow it to leak and rupture, leading to potentially fatal outcomes.

Such outcomes can include heart attacks, paralysis, stroke and renal failure, among other complications. An aortic aneurysm is the bulging of the aorta which occurs at the top of the heart and continues down towards the abdomen in front of the backbone.

Although most likely to occur in the abdomen, known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm, they can also occur anywhere, such as the upper body, known as a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

If you or a loved one have suffered from side effects of Levaquin you may have a legal claim allowing you to file an Levaquin lawsuit.