Levaquin

Generic name: levofloxacin

Manufactured and marketed by: Ortho-McNeil

Purpose: Prescribed to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract and skin infections, bronchitis, and certain types of pneumonia.

Side Effects Reported

• Abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dizziness, itching, and rash. In addition, Levaquin may be linked to a number of harmful side effects.
• Levaquin may cause fluctuations in levels of blood glucose (blood sugar).
• Levaquin may also be linked to tendinitis, or the rupturing of tendons in the shoulder, hand, and foot.
• There may also be a link between Levaquin and peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is a general term referring to damage done to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system consists of those motor and sensory nerves connecting the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body.
• Levaquin may affect the colon and possibly lead to a condition known as pseudomembranous colitis, also referred to as antibiotic associated colitis. Bacteria in the intestine may overgrow and release toxin while taking antibiotics, which may cause the lining of the colon to become raw and bleed.

Industry Report

Levaquin made headlines and became widely known as it is also used to treat some forms of inhaled anthrax.

Patients being treated with Levaquin should be wary of symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Those patients with preexisting diabetes should have their blood sugar monitored closely.

Seeger Weiss is not currently pursuing lawsuits on this drug, but its drug warnings will remain on our radar.

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