The FDA has issued a "black box" warning, its most severe safety warning, for all antibiotic medications that are considered flouroquinolones. The most popular flouroquinolones are Cipro and Levaquin. Antibiotic medications from the flouroquinolone family have been linked to an increased risk of tendon injury, such as Achilles tendon rupture.

Side Effects of Cipro – Tendon Rupture

Although Cipro and other flouroquinolones have labels that explain the risk of tendon injury, the FDA issued a warning after Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, petitioned for almost two years to have the labels altered. The FDA is now working with the manufacturers of Cipro and Levaquin, Bayer and Ortho-McNeil respectively, to reformat their labels to more strongly emphasize the risk of tendon injury.

More than 400 people claimed they sustained flouroquinolone-related tendon injuries, with most suffering the injury of the Achilles tendon.

Because tendon injuries typically occur from over-activity or trauma, experts are unsure how flouroquinolones lead to tendon rupture. However, many reports claim the tendon rupture occurred with pain and swelling, a sign that could suggest toxicity. Health care professionals believe the risk for tendon rupture is increased if patients are over 60 years old, take steroids or have received heart, lung or kidney transplants.

Finding a Cipro Lawyer

Bayer and Ortho-McNeil are multi-million dollar corporations that understand the importance of properly warning consumers of damaging side effects. Because of their negligence in adequately highlighting the risk of tendon rupture, they might be vulnerable to personal injury litigation. Victims who have sustained tendon injuries, and subsequently suffered the costs of hindered mobility, may be entitled to receive compensation. The defective drug attorneys at Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz might be able to help victims of Cipro side effects obtain the compensatory damages they deserve, as well as bring the defective drug manufacturers to justice. Call them today at (888) 255-2956 to schedule an appointment.