The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning regarding fluoroquinolone antibiotics, including the drug Levaquin, citing claims that the class of drugs may increase patients’ risks of aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm.

About the FDA Fluoroquinolone Warning

The FDA warning, released on Dec. 20, 2018, states that a review of fluoroquinolone antibiotics has found that these drugs may increase the likelihood of patients developing ruptures or tears in the aorta. These tears and ruptures can be extremely dangerous and may lead to serious injuries or death.

According to the FDA warning, fluoroquinolones should not be prescribed to patients at increased risk for these injuries unless there are no other treatments available. People who may be at increased risk of developing an aortic dissection or aneurysm include people with a history of blockages in their aorta or other blood vessels, high blood pressure, the elderly, and people with certain genetic disorders including Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

The studies cited in the FDA warning indicate that patients taking fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as Levaquin are twice as likely to suffer dangerous damage to their aortas as people who have not taken these drugs. The FDA is also requiring that warnings regarding aortic injuries be added to the prescribing information for these drugs.

What is Aortic Dissection?

The aorta is the largest artery in the human body. It begins at the heart’s left ventricle and extends downwards through the torso, bringing blood to the lower limbs.

According to the Mayo Clinic, aortic dissection occurs when a tear forms in the inner lining of the aorta. The blood being pumped through the aorta bursts through this tear and enlarges it, filling the space between the inner and middle linings of the aorta with blood. This influx of blood causes the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate or dissect.

Aortic dissection is very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of aortic dissection may mimic those of other heart problems including heart attacks. Symptoms may include:

• Severe and sudden chest pain, often described as a ripping or tearing
• Severe and sudden abdominal pain
• Loss of consciousness
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden difficulty speaking
• Loss of vision
• Weakness or paralysis of one side of the body
• Leg pain or paralysis

What is Levaquin?

Levaquin is a drug from the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Other antibiotics in this category include Avelox, Cipro, Factive, Noroxin, and Floxin. These drugs are extremely common and are prescribed to more 20 million people each year to treat bacterial infections. These infections include respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, septicemia,pelvic inflammatory disease, and infections of the skin and soft tissues.

Fluoroquinolone Lawsuits

Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against the pharmaceutical companies manufacturing and selling fluoroquinolones. If you or a loved one has suffered an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm after taking Levaquin or another fluoroquinolone antibiotic, you may be eligible to join a free class action lawsuit or investigation and pursue compensation for your injuries.